Parts for your 2021 Subaru Xv-Gas struts

2021 Subaru XV gas struts — what they do and when to replace them

Technical sources confirm the 2021 Subaru XV is fitted with gas-charged struts on the rear hatch. Subaru’s service information (Body: Rear Gate – Stay), the OEM parts catalogue (Rear Gate/Liftgate Stay Assembly, gas-charged), and the owner’s manual references to the “rear gate stay” all point to factory lift supports on the tailgate. The bonnet on most trims uses a prop rod rather than gas struts, so the relevant gas struts for this model are at the rear hatch.

On the XV, gas struts counterbalance the weight of the tailgate so it lifts smoothly and stays put without a fight. They’re nitrogen-charged dampers that provide controlled motion up and down, reduce slam, and keep the hatch securely open while loading the weekly shop, surf gear, or the dog.

Over time, seals harden and pressure drops, especially with heat, cold, and dust. Tell-tales include a hatch that sags, needs a shove to open, won’t stay up on cooler mornings, or shows a light oil mist on the rod. That’s the cue to replace them—ideally as a matched pair—so the load is even and the hatch works as designed.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to:

• Wipe the strut rods with a clean microfibre cloth