It would probably be beneficial to know "which" part of the gate you're talking about...

Foresters have been using a fiberglass or plastic or _ panel in part of the rear gate for decades. And yes, this will be prepped/painted/finished at a different location and probably a different technique vs the metal body panels. Most car manufacturing facilities will have all the metal "attached" and then sprayed. The plastic or other non-metal body parts are painted in some other place (or even molded in color).

So is it the metal or the plastic? I can't say it's a "known" issue, but it has been a problem for some owners (myself included) for the plastic trim panel (and the roof-top spoiler) to have faded and lost that finish over the 9 years on my own 2014 Forester Limited.

I had mentioned it to my Subaru dealer many years ago but the response was that it was not a warranty issue (I was outside of the basic 3/36 coverage). I probably should have pushed on it at the time, but never did.

BTW - some colors will also fare better than others. And then there are the environment concerns: where you live, if the vehicle is always in a garage or not, how well you maintain, etc., etc., etc..

 

Sounds like the same areas - the “spoiler” at the top of the tailgate and the area in the middle of the tailgate right below the glass.
I’m thinking of trying to get just the tailgate or these areas repainted but not sure if any place is taking on small jobs at them moment

 

Looks about the same as mine - even to about the same "level" of degradation in the same places but different color (mine is the Marine Blue Pearl).

I have asked about it previously - both paint and having a vinyl wrap over those places - and either will be at least 500 bucks.... Of course, it could be more, but.... In either case (wrap or paint) is probably going to be a tough match.

 

Yep. I have the same issue on the tailgate but only on the edge where the rear wiper lives.
very odd. It’s the only place where the paint looks sun bleached. Rest of the car is fine.
Subaru needs to address this.

 

It sounds like a, somewhat, broad issue then --- Can I ask 2 questions?

• Where did you purchase your car? I'm wondering if this is a regional issue somehow, although I doubt it. For what it's worth, I'm near Raleigh, NC.
• Is there any interest in bringing this to Subaru's attention as a group -- with actual names, addresses and contact information? It's almost certainly not just the 3 of us, and it's not limited to a single paint color. It's not a safety issue, so I don't think there would be a 'recall' type of action, but Subaru should make this right as it's clearly their problem.

 

I am having the same issue with my 2018. A neighbor has the same issue, and hers looks worse. My first subuaru I had for 16 years, no problem. It really bothers me! I would like to submit this issue as a group.
linda San Diego

 

Yup, mine too. 2016 Forester. Paint fading on the tailgate under the window. This should not be happening to a 6 year old vehicle.

 

Obviously, they had a problem with painting plastic trim parts. I wonder if they forgot a clear coat UV protection?

 

What would be interesting to know (at least for the perspective of bringing this to SOA's attention) would be if folks with other years - but the same colors - are having any issues.

For example, my 2014 is the last year of the Marine Blue Pearl that carried over from the SH generation. In 2015, the color was replaced with Quartz Blue - a similar shade, but without the aqua/teal undertone and was more a silver/gray undertone.

The Venetian Red Pearl was from a few different model years and may have carried over across generations, as well.

I'm in the Southwest - desert areas of So Cal. Not so sure it's regional. I think it's more about a few batches of pain that were mixed incorrectly or - as Quadraria mentions - a missing clear coat.

 

Just be happy we don't have hood scoops. The Scoops and the plastic on the rear hatch get the crappiest paint and nailed by the sun. Been an issue as far back as I can remember with Subies.

 

I wonder if the Subaru folks know about this issue? I think they should offer a solution.

 

Our Forester park outside, so they're in the Oregon weather. Oregon is know for rainy, cloudy weather, not where you'd expect to be exposed to intense sun!

I bought my '07 FSXT as a retirement gift to myself in 2009. It was almost perfect... I'm still working on it. A couple years ago, I notices a change in the paint... clear coat & it's getting worse! Yes, it will need an expensive respray!

My son's '03 X parks next to my Forester & it's also starting to show clear coat failure. Oddly, not as severe as my Forester, but it's getting there!

Bobby...

This is the North side, not too bad! The clear coat feels like new!
▼

This is the South side! Pisses me off every time I see it! What was my "pride & joy" is now embarrassing to drive!
▼

No issues on the East side?

['07 FSXT Member Journal] ['03 X Member Journal]

 

This is an older thread and I am having the same problem with paint fading on rear end. The hood and molding below window.

Has anyone had luck with Subaru fixing/repairing?
Linda - San Diego

 

I have had the exact same problem with the molding under the rear window on my 2016 Red Forester. I was told that it was because it was plastic? No resolution. Asked for estimate on paint job, quoted several hundred dollars. Unacceptable for the reputation of being a good car. Subaru should make good on this.

 

There is no way for them to define what is acceptable fading. The material of the roof spoiler (if equipped) and the panel below the rear window is going to have a different finish than the metal panels of the rest of the body.

Having had those 2 pieces fade/oxidize over the years (10 years now), I did mention it to the dealer a while back, but as said - no way to really know what is their issue and what is just "normal wear".... I believe it was more of a problem for some colors and not all colors and probably limited to a few batches of the paint (or whatever) used to finish those pieces or the prep on those pieces.

Live with it or have them refinished at some local shop. Subaru will probably not do much (if anything) for that refinish.

 

The rear part is called the tailgate garnish. It can be removed along with the spoiler. I’m considering have them refinished. Not sure it’s worth the cost. I’ll have to talk with my body shop guy.

 

I've asked a few different sources for a rough estimate....

The company that did my hood wrap said they'd charge me a few hundred to wrap those two pieces. Another shop that did wraps told be between 600 and 800 bucks..... a local body and paint told me over a grand...

 

Thanks for the help. I’ll get it repainted.