2019 Subaru Outback Visibility/wiper Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 10, 2026 · 326 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 326 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the 2019 Subaru Outback, 31% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 10,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “windshield cracked” (32% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Windshield cracked: mentioned in 105 of 326 complaints (32%)
  • Large crack: mentioned in 27 of 326 complaints (8%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility/wiper repair on the 2019 Subaru Outback at $1,100, and half of them between $1,050 and $1,300.

Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems happen?

Based on 201 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles100 · 50%
10k–25k miles78 · 39%
25k–50k miles23 · 11%
50k–75k miles0 · 0%
75k–100k miles0 · 0%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

None of the 326 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.

Subaru Outback visibility/wiper complaints by model year

Peak: 2019, with 326 complaints
2005: 620052006: 42007: 120072008: 82009: 820092010: 52011: 1820112012: 52013: 1120132014: 82015: 13020152016: 832017: 20520172018: 2342019: 32620193262020: 3132021: 9720212022: 2552023: 1620232024: 222025: 52025

n = 1,760 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearVisibility/wiper complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Outback56%—
2024 Outback2221%—
2023 Outback1618%—
2022 Outback25555%—
2021 Outback9733%3,000
2020 Outback31335%5,000
2019 Outback32631%10,000
2018 Outback23429%21,775
2017 Outback20522%33,000
2016 Outback8313%38,000
2015 Outback13025%9,000
2014 Outback84%38,000
2013 Outback114%45,000
2012 Outback52%79,500
2011 Outback183%99,351
2010 Outback51%60,219
2009 Outback88%94,500
2008 Outback84%83,000
2007 Outback11%64,200
2006 Outback41%123,500
2005 Outback62%98,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2020, with 116 complaints
2019: 702019702020: 11620201162021: 602021602022: 392022392023: 202023202024: 172024172025: 3202532026: 120261

n = 326 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (0)

No safety recall lists visibility/wiper for the 2019 Subaru Outback. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Windshield window crack without any reason couple month ago and it keep crack bigger

Received Mar 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11723685

I have experienced two separate incidents of spontaneous windshield cracking on my 2019 Subaru Outback, with no external impact or road debris involved. The first windshield crack occurred, and Subaru replaced it under warranty after inspection showed no signs of impact. The second crack occurred…

Received May 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11662335

On April 14, 2025, I experienced my fourth windshield break- others- 2 that were 3 months apart in 2023 and another in 2024. I do not know how this most recent crack occurred as I noticed it when I went to drive my car, which was parked inside my garage. I had driven 2 places earlier in the day…

Received Apr 24, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11656604
Subaru Outback
A 2023 Subaru Outback Limited in Magnetite Gray Metallic. 2.5-liter flat four with 182hp, 10-speed automatic.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2019 Subaru Outbacks have visibility/wiper problems?

No. NHTSA has 326 owner complaints about visibility/wiper for the 2019 Subaru Outback (31% of the 1,036 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Subaru Outback visibility/wiper?

No recall currently lists visibility/wiper for this vehicle.

At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems start?

The median reported mileage is 10,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix visibility/wiper problems on the 2019 Subaru Outback?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,100 (half paid between $1,050 and $1,300), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the 2019 Subaru Outback?

The most frequent phrase is “windshield cracked”, in 105 of 326 complaints, followed by “large crack” (27).

Other 2019 Subaru Outback problems

See all 2019 Subaru Outback problems or visibility/wiper problems across all Outback years.