Subaru Outback Visibility/wiper Problems
Owners have filed 1,760 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Outback across 21 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (326). The words owners use most often: “windshield cracked” (28% of reports).
- 1,760visibility/wiper complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 64%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield cracked: mentioned in 487 of 1,760 complaints (28%)
- Crack appeared: mentioned in 138 of 1,760 complaints (8%)
- Apparent reason: mentioned in 89 of 1,760 complaints (5%)
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 Subaru Outback at $1,150, and half of them between $900 and $1,300.
Based on 61 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2025), 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 931 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,760 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury.
Subaru Outback visibility/wiper complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility/wiper complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Outback | 22 | 21% | — |
| 2023 Outback | 16 | 18% | — |
| 2022 Outback | 255 | 55% | — |
| 2021 Outback | 97 | 33% | 3,000 |
| 2020 Outback | 313 | 35% | 5,000 |
| 2019 Outback | 326 | 31% | 10,000 |
| 2018 Outback | 234 | 29% | 21,775 |
| 2017 Outback | 205 | 22% | 33,000 |
| 2016 Outback | 83 | 13% | 38,000 |
| 2015 Outback | 130 | 25% | 9,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 8 | 4% | 38,000 |
| 2013 Outback | 11 | 4% | 45,000 |
| 2012 Outback | 5 | 2% | 79,500 |
| 2011 Outback | 18 | 3% | 99,351 |
| 2010 Outback | 5 | 1% | 60,219 |
| 2009 Outback | 8 | 8% | 94,500 |
| 2008 Outback | 8 | 4% | 83,000 |
| 2007 Outback | 1 | 1% | 64,200 |
| 2006 Outback | 4 | 1% | 123,500 |
| 2005 Outback | 6 | 2% | 98,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Visibility/wiper
Model years: 2012
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
Risk: If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
Fix: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
This complaint is regarding a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness with approximately 68,000 miles. The vehicle's low windshield-washer-fluid warning remains illuminated even when the washer-fluid reservoir is full. As a result, the warning system no longer provides reliable information regarding the…
The 8-inch Gen 3 Harman STARLINK touchscreen is delaminating/bubbling. It registers phantom touch inputs and becomes unresponsive on its own while the vehicle is in motion, changing audio, navigation, and system settings without driver input. If a phone is ever attached, the screen will randomly…
Primary Symptom: Spontaneous thermal stress fracture propagating across the front windshield. Origin Point: Extreme bottom-right outer edge, directly beneath the passenger-side windshield wiper blade. Inspection History: Initial warranty coverage denied by Sheehy Subaru. A second opinion at Farrish…
Large crack spontaneously formed in window whiled parked overnight. No visible indications of impact. Suspect related to it being very hot out.
Vehicle is exhibiting signs of a possible design defect which causes windshields to prematurely crack, break, or shatter. My vehicle is a 22 Subaru Outback that when bought new, in the first week of ownership developed a windshield crack that the dealer ship refused to replace under warranty. We…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Outbacks have visibility/wiper problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,760 owner complaints about visibility/wiper for the Subaru Outback. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Outback visibility/wiper?
Yes: 1 safety recall list visibility/wiper. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Outback?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,150 (half paid between $900 and $1,300), from 61 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield cracked”, in 487 of 1,760 complaints, followed by “crack appeared” (138).
Other Subaru Outback problems
- Electrical System problems (2,285)
- Power Train problems (988)
- Engine problems (718)
- Air Bags problems (693)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (530)
- Service Brakes problems (431)
- Steering problems (366)
- Exterior Lighting problems (335)
See all Subaru Outback problems.