Upper Inner Trim: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Subaru Outback and 2012 Subaru Legacy. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the front pillar trim.
1. Pull the upper part of the front pillar trim towards the center of the vehicle.
2. Insert long-nose pliers into the top part of the trim, grip the clip with the pliers and twist 90° in that position.
  CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the pillar trim surface and curtain airbag module when inserting the pliers.
3. Holding the clip twisted as in the previous step, remove the front pillar trim from the clip.
4. Remove the clip and the front pillar trim.
Fig 1: Removing Front Pillar Trims With Clips
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Release the claws, and then remove the side sill cover-front INN.
CAUTION: Do not pull with excessive force. Doing so may damage the claws of the side sill cover INN.

Fig 2: Identifying Claws Of Left And Right Side Sill Cover-Front INN
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: To release the claws of the side sill cover INN, the following steps are recommended.
1. Take out the weather strip from under the side sill cover INN.
2. Turn over the floor mat and release the claw (C-C) by accessing from behind the side sill cover INN.
Remove the rear seat cushion assembly.
1. Pull up the seat cushion and release the hook.
  CAUTION: If the hook is disconnected from the vehicle body, replace the hook with the new part to prevent the decline of the fixed force of the seat.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Seat Cushion Hook
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Fig 4: Pulling Up Seat Cushion
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Remove the hook (A) by pushing it back while lifting the front side of the seat cushion, and remove the seat cushion.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Seat Cushion
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Release the clips and claws, and then remove the side sill cover - rear INN.
CAUTION: Do not pull with excessive force. Doing so may damage the claws of the side sill cover INN.

Fig 6: Identifying Side Sill Cover Clips And Claws - Rear INN
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: To release the claws of the side sill cover INN, the following steps are recommended.
1. Take out the weather strip from under the side sill cover INN.
2. Turn over the floor mat and release the claw (C-C and D-D) by accessing from behind the side sill cover
Remove the center pillar trim LWR.
1. Release the clip by pulling the center pillar trim LWR toward you.
2. Expand the claws of center pillar trim LWR outward and remove it from the center pillar trim UPR.
CAUTION: Do not expand the center pillar trim LWR excessively. Doing so may damage the trim.

Fig 7: Removing Center Pillar Trim LWR
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: First release the claw located to the rear of the vehicle.
Remove the center pillar trim UPR.
1. Remove the seat belt lower anchor bolt.
  
  Fig 8: Locating Seat Belt Lower Anchor Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Release the clip by pulling the center pillar trim UPR toward you.
3. Remove the center pillar trim UPR by lowering the entire trim.
  
  Fig 9: Removing Center Pillar Trim UPR
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Pull out the seat belt and remove the center pillar trim UPR.