The OE one would be tricky to get all the right parts. The struts, one of which has the motor in it, the different harnesses, buttons, the control module, the pinch detection strips for the sides of the gate. I can’t remember if the closer motor is different. Various buttons.

then the dealer would possibly need to program some of it for you.

The only aftermarket one I‘ve seen for lots of cars is the autoease brand.

https://www.autoease.com/product/liftgate/

they list a 2022 outback, but don’t see why that wouldn’t work with the 2023. Someone on the forester forum installed one, and the close button on the fob doesn’t close or open the gate, you have to press the unlock button like 3 times or something. Also have to wait for the gate to shut all the way before locking the car… or so that person says.

('19+) - 2020 - Power lift gate - way to retrofit...

My sister just purchased a 2020 Forester Premium without a power lift gate. Is there a way to retrofit the standard gate to a power lift gate? Any aftermarket kits? Thanks all.

www.subaruforester.org

 

There's a rectangular (almost square) cover at the interior centered below the back window. Behind that cover is the actual latch mechanism. Someone else installed a little pull rope to mechanically release the latch from the inside because he sleeps in his car sometimes.

 

Not that you should do this, but I wonder how much you'd lose in trade-in to a 2023 Outback with the power tailgate? Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

I would stick with the manual gate and figure out a way to make a release from the inside. When I have slept in the back of my Outback with the power gate I didn't like flashing lights and beeping every time I had to get up during the night. I quit using it and used the side doors to enter and exit and that wasn't a great option either. Plus, with the manual gate you don't open the can of worms of running the battery dead leaving the gate open for too long.

But that is just the camping side of it. I do love my power liftgate that I can open prior to me reaching the car when I have stuff to put in the back.

 

I would stick with the manual gate and figure out a way to make a release from the inside. When I have slept in the back of my Outback with the power gate I didn't like flashing lights and beeping every time I had to get up during the night. I quit using it and used the side doors to enter and exit and that wasn't a great option either. Plus, with the manual gate you don't open the can of worms of running the battery dead leaving the gate open for too long.

But that is just the camping side of it. I do love my power liftgate that I can open prior to me reaching the car when I have stuff to put in the back.

The battery drain is actually the same with the manual as it is with the power gate. Both can be solved by engaging the latch with a carabiner or there’s actually someone on Etsy that makes a little 3D printed latch enganger that tricks the car into thinking it’s closed.

Unfortunately even with the manual the only way to close the hatch once it’s been opened (and you’ve tricked the car into thinking it’s closed) is to turn on the car with all the lights and whistles. That’s the only way I’ve been able to figure out how to get power to the latch button again which you need to press to get the latch to open so you can actually close the hatch.

I bet this manual rear release mechanism behind the trim that people are talking about would solve this though since it doesn’t rely on the powered button…guess i have something to look into this weekend

 

I had to use the manual release to open my 2022 Limited tailgate for a few weeks when the lift motor failed. The manual release works easily. I just left the cover off where the manual release is located for a few weeks until I could get the car into the shop for a new motor. The hard part is climbing into the back area to get to the manual release.

 

My 2023 Outback Limited Power Gate Lift motor failed at 9800 miles and I agree climbing in the the back to use the manual release is a pain, I also need a flashlight to see what I am doing. Power Lift Gate Motor is currently on back order.

 

@kebler were there any early signs or symptoms before liftgate motor failure?

 

Yes, it would open half way sometimes or just a couple of inches or two and give me two beeps then close, I would reprogram using the switch on the tail gate and it would be ok for a day or two then it would resume its odd behavior, finally it did not open anymore, I tried the key fob, hands free switch and switch on the dash with the same results. Service tech said he got a fault code from the Tail Gate Motor so they ordered me a new one but there currently is a back order on the motors.

 

I hope that they also replace the assist gas strut because I suspect a weak helper gas strut could exacerbate this.