Anyone Else? Hatch Not Closing

[fleuger99]

Hi,

I have a 2013 OB Limited and I'm sure there is something wrong with the allignment of my rear hatch. It never closes easily and from time to time when opening it I feel it flexing around, almost like the allignment is off.

I'll get the dealer to check it out during my next service. I only have 3870 miles on my car. Anyone else having this issue?

[jogosub]

Get and install the rear deck grab bar! There is nothing to hold/grab, when you are closing that rear deck ... I have/had it on all my Subarus - third car in a row now...

[Restlessk]

Originally Posted by fleuger99

Anyone else having this issue?

Mine doesn't seem to have that issue. Opens and closes easily, and I've noticed nothing unusual. Worthwhile for you to have the dealer look at it.

[OBnube]

Others have had the same complaint. A simple striker adjustment at the dealer seemed to be the common solution.

[lloyd123]

I'm embarrassed to admit this but the first couple times I tried to close the hatch it wouldn’t stay shut until I realized my finger was hitting the release button as I was placing my hand on the grab handle to shut. Now I'm just careful where I grab the hatch when I close it.

[Saint J VT]

The handle/latch system doesn't work as well as it should. Almost since the beginning, my latch handle stays stuck in the "open" position, like the springs in there are not quite strong enough to pull the mechanism back to the "closed" position after slamming the back door.

I have had to actually pull the handle back out when it has become stuck like that. I realize I live where there is much salt on the roads many months out of the year, but hey, this car is **SUPPOSED** to be built to take that kind of driving, isn't it?

I ended up pulling all the interior panels off to look in there and the best I could see there was some rust on the little rods that come from the latch handle, I ended up spraying lubricant on all the moving parts and all the hinged-parts that the latch handle pivots on. Still, the thing doesn't work all the time like it should.

To pay the amount I paid for this car, I should not be having problems like this almost since day one. Now, if I had purchased a new car for 12K dollars, I might expect things to be chinsy, under-constructed, but I didn't, we spent nearly $30,000 for our car brand-new. The car should be built better in a lot of respects (like the leaky head gaskets and the leaking valve covers on the 2.5i engines)!

[rockthebeef]

fleuger99,

It seems that there are some answers in here that answer a question that was never asked, but that's how forums go...

Are you parked on some sort of uneven ground that would cause your car to torsionally flex? That seems to be the cause for people with that same problem. Its the nature of cars or vans with large cargo areas to flex a bit under these conditions that may cause what you're experiencing. That has been discussed here previously.

But if you mean that the hatch just doesn't seem to close all the way (does the door open light come on in the dash?), then a simple striker adjustment will fix that. Just pull off the plastic trim to reveal the striker plate, loosen the bolts and move the striker plate a tad closer to the rear. Tighten the bolts and check the door. I have done this and the door can close without having to slam it anymore. (There I go with an answer to a different question )

[JordanMayPhoto]

Ummmmm nope. I have never had an issue, just don't put your hand under the lip. I have never found it necessary to have a bar added either when you can simply push the door down? If the latch mechanism isn't working get it to the dealer and have it fixed!

[rockthebeef]

There's also recess built into the bottom right side of the rear hatch meant for you to stick your fingers in to shut the hatch. If you use that you don't have to get your hands all dirty by touching the outside of the door.

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted by jogosub

Get and install the rear deck grab bar! There is nothing to hold/grab, when you are closing that rear deck ... I have/had it on all my Subarus - third car in a row now...

More info, please? I have no issues with my hatch latching, but I hate watching my wife put her hands on the finish, when she closes it. I use either the license plate, or the tail light.