[VicVinegar]

Anyone else have this? Know what it's purpose is? The piece on the other side already came all the way out. I meant to ask the dealer at the oil change but forgot. I finally remembered to take a picture of it today after waxing it up.

 

[selenski]

Same on mine, but just the left side. I forgot to ask also. It'll be interesting to konw how common this is and if it needs fixing.

 

[pgh]

I think it acts as some sort of insulator between the hatch pieces. Problem is in the 10-12 models you probably have to order the whole hatch to get that fixed. On my 10 I had the rubber piece that runs on the top of the hatch where it meets the window peel off. Subaru did not have the rubber piece as a replacement part ,you had to order the whole hatch, so the dealer sent me to a glass shop and re-glued it. that was 2.5 years ago and it's holding

 

[dboz]

Mine is out on the right side.

 

[EastTeleSki]

Same here, right side. I'm taking mine in to get the rear lights adjusted due to the expanding hatch piece and I'll ask them to address the insulation piece too. Hopefully it will work out.

 

[Hudsoner]

I had it comming out on both sides. The dealer corected it during the first oil change. Seems to be ok now.

 

[hiker74]

Mine has this on the right side. I will be talking to the dealer about it

 

[OBnube]

Probably to keep the upper plastic panel from rubbing/squeaking on the lower metal panel. My '13 has black material btw. So far it's still in place. I still would like to know if the 2011 3 piece w/chrome garnish is a straight exchange. I really liked the looks and function of that trim.

 

[Carlvr87]

I had this as well. They took care of it on the first oil change by just trimming it. At first I was thinking why didn't they do more? Then I thought only I know it was cut. I actually prefer that rather than them taking the hatch apart and risking a rattle/squeak.

 

[Bags]

Right side on my OB too... strange!!!

 

[kenlounge]

Passenger side on my 2012

 

[VicVinegar]

Old thread, but I finally went back to the dealer the other day for my 7500 oil change.

This particular dealer claimed that the strips are in there for shipping purposes. When they remove the "wrap" that comes on the car during PDI, they typically come out. He claimed mine just didn't come out, which is why they were working their way out on their own. Who knows if this is accurate.

Does someone have the FSM and could say if they are included a schematic of the rear hatch?

 

[jogosub]

If I recall there was some bulletin or even recall on this - or similar to this (some trim strip expanding in the sun shine/heat and rubbing against the body).
Typically, there would not be an insulation or protective tape between the body panels..I would think. There is plenty of plastic on car seats, carpets, etc. inside the car and some styrofoam door dent protectors, for car or rail transporters. Other than that, they would "heat shrink" the whole body, like they do on boats, when they are hauled across the country.

 

[Socal147]

2013, Yep ........ Coming out not the drivers side. No big thing........

 

[Hudsoner]

I had mine coming out on both sides. Dealer pushed them back in. it is certainly not a transportation strip! The rubber is way to thick for this purpose. It is a sealer strip/friction reduction strip between the two parts of the outer hatch.

 

[VicVinegar]

Well I'm skeptical of the answer as well, but I ultimately had nothing to counter with. "I think you are wrong" won't get me very far.

I looked at a schematic of the rear hatch on Subaru Parts Warehouse, but they don't even show the light assembly on the drawing, let alone a strip of anything.