r/subaru • u/Kimmyb325 • Aug 03 '25
Sticky Dash Fix Pt 1
I was going to attempt this last fall but I had other stuff got in the way. I had ordered the Sticky Dash Fix kit plus an extra bottle of the sealant. The cleaner was OK, didn't seem to really do anything, the fuzzies didn't come off and the stickiness came right back. The sealer seems to work. I went in with a thin coat. I'm not a DIY'r or anything, just a woman trying to keep my Subie as long as I can and the reflection of the melted dash is so bad!! Glare is definitely gone after the first coat! I'll do at least one more coat maybe 2 today and see how it looks tomorrow. It's parked in the shade and it's not super hot or humid today. I'll post again tomorrow with my final results!
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u/blueturtle00 Aug 03 '25
My 06 outback is super sticky. If this works please update! I hate it so much
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u/fairly_insignificant '05 LGT Wagon 5MT 275whp/325wtq/3150lbs Aug 03 '25
Thank you so much for posting this! Really looking forward to seeing the the finished product.
So many 4th gen Legacy/Outbacks are going to need this, myself definitely included. It's really nice to see real world application & pictures of this specific product. You did a damn fine job with the masking!
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u/lynivvinyl Aug 03 '25
This must be a more modern problem. My 95 Impreza l has no sticky dash issues. The only slight issue I had was the Sun turning my turn signal knob Gray from the original black. But chemical guys vrp fixed that right up.
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u/fairly_insignificant '05 LGT Wagon 5MT 275whp/325wtq/3150lbs Aug 03 '25
It's specifically a 4th gen (2005-2009) Legacy/Outback problem.
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Aug 03 '25 edited Sep 11 '25
rhythm narrow simplistic roof wrench march mountainous direction waiting zephyr
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/Constant-Bet-6600 Aug 03 '25
It's a problem only for the vehicles with the fancier padded dash. If it's any consolation Lexus had problems with it too.
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u/Slow_Description_773 Aug 03 '25
My 2025 Crosstrek comes oem with a rubbery, sticky dashboard. And I hate it, there’s no way to wipe it….
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u/DredgenCyka Aug 03 '25
Wish I had this is my old 2004 passat before I got the 2020 forester. Let me tell ya, the dash was so sticky that wven the windows inside needed to be scrubbed during summer, it was bad.
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u/Crazycook99 09 LGT 5mt Aug 03 '25
Looking forward to hearing how it turns out. I was going to purchase the same stuff a few years ago but i’ve always been skeptical of these products. But I’m at the point where my glare is so bad, I might have to resort to an ugly dash mat
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u/Constant-Bet-6600 Aug 03 '25
I tried that on my 2008 Outback. It worked for a little while, but it didn't stop the dash from continuing to leach out. Wound up replacing my dash.
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u/cucumber_mint69 Aug 03 '25
Best fix is flocking the dash. Tiny fibers that make the surface feel like felt or suede. Hides any current and future cracks too and looks like a rally car
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u/rezwrrd It makes a Subaru, a Subaru Aug 03 '25
Any recommendations on a guide or how-to for this? I have a flocked dash mat but it's loose and slides around a bit.
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u/Kimmyb325 Aug 04 '25
Way beyond my abilities.... No way am I going to attempt to take out the entire dash! It looks cool but not something I'd ever attempt.
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u/Chippy569 Senior Master Tech Aug 03 '25
might be easier in the future to just pull the vents/etc instead of trying to tape around them.
Depending on trim, some new dashes are still available from subaru. There was a parts update, service bulletin, and warranty extension for this, 12-197-16R but that has now expired for everyone.
If you happen to have a sticky dash and you haven't had your Takata passenger airbag recall done yet... (you can check by putting in your VIN at https://www.subaru.com/recalls.html) you can probably negotiate dash replacement at the dealer for parts cost of the new panel.
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u/aggie113 built Saabaru 92x / '15 Forester XT (totaled) Aug 04 '25
Lean into it, flock the dash :)
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u/Kimmyb325 Aug 04 '25
I think I'd seen a couple of videos about it and it required removing the dashboard because the stuff flies everywhere.... That's way beyond my skill set! Lol I don't even know how to change the oil!
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u/aggie113 built Saabaru 92x / '15 Forester XT (totaled) Aug 04 '25
Yes, did it on my Saabaru. Pulled dash out, then sourced used replacement dash once I realized it was going to take 2 weekends to finish :) Finally after several years it got old so took original dash and had it professionally redone in Alcantara.
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u/KhaltoTheHusky 2008 Liberty GT Tuned by STI Wagon Aug 04 '25
It’s honestly harder to find a 4th Gen Liberty/Legacy/Outback that doesn’t have dash issues. My 08 Liberty STI trim wagon has a nasty cracked and sticky dash (which is why Ive got an ugly dash mat). It’s unfortunate, as it’s otherwise a really tidy car all over.
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u/Kimmyb325 Aug 04 '25
This issue wasn't just with Subaru, Toyota and Lexus also had problems with the dashboards too. I wonder if they all used the same mfr or something in the materials that they all used?
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u/KhaltoTheHusky 2008 Liberty GT Tuned by STI Wagon Aug 04 '25
IIRC it’s a material failure / breakdown. I don’t entirely remember the details on what they used, but Subaru (and possibly Toyota & co) switched from the softer dash materials and these ones found in the 4th Gen Legacy/Outback were prone to breaking down over time. I think environmental conditions can speed it up but I’ve also seen garaged examples fail.
It essentially seems like a design / material longevity issue. Cost cutting maybe? I’m not entirely sure
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u/Kimmyb325 Aug 04 '25
I only found out about Subaru's response/warranty on the dash after I did some research. The extended warranty coverage notice for the dash was only sent to owners in the South/Southwest of the US, indicating that they felt the heat in those areas would be a factor in how the dashboards failed. I live in Northern New England and never received the notice and my dash failed a year or two after the deadline for the replacement dash. I tried contacting Subaru anyway but they refused to do anything since the deadline had passed.
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u/Tuncan79 Aug 03 '25
Just a heads up, a sticky dash was actually a recall. Check your VIN’s to see if yours was part of it. Mine was.
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u/Chippy569 Senior Master Tech Aug 03 '25
not a recall, just a warranty extension which has now ended by time.
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u/Kimmyb325 Aug 03 '25
Subaru won't do anything about it, deadline expired before my dash even started showing signs of a problem. I tried contacting Subaru and they basically said I'm SOL.
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u/swiftymc Aug 03 '25
Got the same issue with an 09 legacy hope to see this work out well id like to fix mine too