I recently noticed that some elements of my rear hatch on my Subaru Legacy wagon were not working. Specifically, the lights that illuminate the license plate, the rear defroster, center brake light, hatch locking mechanism, and radio antenna were not working. An inspection of the area where the wires enter the hatch door from the body of the vehicle reveals that several of the wires in the harness were broken completely with some wires in various states of deterioration. I believe this is an unusual failure and not a typical wear item. I am concerned as I have lost the ability to properly lock and secure my vehicle, to clear frost and ice from the rear glass for proper visibility, lost the ability to illuminate my license plate which could result in being pulled over by law enforcement. Over time, continued deterioration will result in the inability to use my rear wiper and reverse lights. They're seems to be a defect with the wiring used in this area. It was not capable of withstanding normal use repetitions of opening and closing the hatch door. There are many members of the Subaru Legacy and outback communities that have had this issue occur. I believe that this will happen to all Subaru Legacy or outback models 05-09 given enough time.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

Wires that go to the rear hatch for the wiper and third brake light are severed after repeated opening/closing of rear hatch and affect the functionality.

- South Euclid, OH, USA

Rear tailgate wire harness found to be broken. Rear wiper did not work. This wire was completely broken. Two other wires found to be cracked and about to fail. This could potentially cause rear hi mount stop light, license plate lights, and back up lights to be non-functional.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

My rear brake lights and tail lights stopped working, my wiper would work intermittently, and license plate lights would not work at all. Took to a mechanic who diagnosed that the wires traveling through the rubber grommet to the rear gate had been broken due to a design in the path they travel where they are bent severely every time the gate is opened and closed, and eventually they snapped. He informed me that this was a common issue on my model and put new wires in place of the broken ones.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

The wiring harness on the rear lift gate (station wagon) keeps breaking and shorting out. This is a dangerous defect, as rear lights can go out without notice, leading to a possible rear-end collision. Dangerous for pedestrians when the backup lights have shorted out and are not visible. Rear visibility also hampered under snowy or rainy conditions when the wiper shorts out. Repairs have been made at least three (3) times (2/22/11, 3/24/13, 9/25/13), yet these electrical issues still persist. A recall from Subaru should be ordered to address this electrical defect and safety issue.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

Rear wiper stopped working. The problem was due to a broken wire inside the passenger's side accordion boot for the rear hatch of the wagon. Other wires within the harness (which supplies power to the rear hatch lights, hatch lock, and wiper motor/sprayer) were also cracked. In researching this problem, I have found this this is starting to become a more frequent issue and should be replaced/recalled by Subaru.

- Glendora, CA, USA

Rear windshield wiper stopped working causing very limited visibility out of rear window during inclement weather. I discovered the connecting harness on the passenger side rear that controls the rear wiper and brake lights damaged where it passes from the car body to rear tailgate. The grommett does not seem to be serving its purpose and the wiring harness does not seem durable enough. This can create a very dangerous combination.

- Springfield Gardens, NY, USA

This 2005 Subaru Legacy is a station wagon with power door locks, the back lift gate wiring harness on the passenger side has torn the electrical wires within the flexible boot mounted on the top of the car between the body and the rear hatch. As a result it is no longer possible to lock and secure the rear hatch back door of the station wagon. The wires within the wiring harness are just to short and have ripped themselves apart in addition the rear high mount brake light is also no longer functioning.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The low beam light bulbs burn out frequently. I use the high quality bulbs (around $28 ea) but they still burn out every 3 to 4 months, same as the lower quality bulbs. Even with being very careful installing the bulbs, wearing clean gloves and cleaning with alcohol prior to setting and locking, they still burn out. I bought the car at 27,000 miles, now it has 50,500 and the problem is consistent. I doubt that bulb quality is the issue here, since I've experimented with the $17 bulbs and the $28 bulbs and the results are the same.

- Spokane, WA, USA

With approximately 2,000 miles on my brand new Subaru Legacy GT I was driving 80 miles to my home. The lights on my dash were flickering and the cruise control worked, then stopped working when I would try to decrease or increase my speed. Once I got into the canyon about 20 miles from home (a curvy road next to the Colorado river) all my interior and exterior lights went off suddenly. I maneuvered my way to the side of the road, shut the car off then turned it back on. Thankfully, the lights came back on. I took the car into the Subaru dealership and they didn't find anything. They said they couldn't fix it until the problem was duplicated. My main concern with this statement is that if I crash my car and injure myself or kill myself because the lights went out, it will be fairly difficult for anyone to "duplicate" the problem. Second issue happened about a month later when the cruise control light began flashing and the check engine light came on. I took it to the Subaru dealership and they discovered a valve body problem. Meanwhile a day later I was driving and the car would barely move. It felt as if it were stuck in 3rd gear. I took it back in and drove a rental car until the part came in. I have the car back now with the 2nd and 3rd problem fixed, but with still no resolution to the fact that my lights could again shut off while I am driving at night.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

No failure of safety equipment but vehicle design promotes operation at night with no tail lights. When the light switch is turned off, the headlights (drl) and instrument lights remain on. This makes the operator think all exterior illumination is functioning, when only the headlights and instrument lights are illuminated.

- Woodridge, IL, USA