MODELS WITH SUNROOFS ONLY. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be inspected closely for a potential source or cause: * The leak could be caused by water leaking past the sunroof cable mechanism. To remedy the condition, silicone sealer will need to be carefully applied to both of the front end caps. * One or both of the sunroof drain tubes may be kinked or restricted causing water accumulated in the frame assembly to overflow and leak into the interior.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Subaru Outback visibility problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Subaru Outback have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Outback | 4 |
| 2010 Outback | 6 |
| 2011 Outback (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 Outback | 8 |
| 2013 Outback | 11 |
| 2014 Outback | 7 |
| 2015 Outback | 125 |
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What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Models with Sunroofs only. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be inspected closely for a potential source or cause:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU: MOISTURE IS RETAINED IN COMPOSITION OF SOLDERING FLUX AND GREASE, IN SOME VEHICLES, CAUSING WIPERS TO MOVE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT PARKING CORRECTLY AND WIPER SWITCH ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MODEL 2010-12 LEGACY, OUTBACK.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a replacement wiper switch assembly to address customer concerns of the wipers not parking correctly or moving intermittently, even when the control switch is off. Testing revealed moisture being retained in a composition of soldering flux and grease used during switch manufacturing may be forced out under extreme high-temperature conditions. If this moisture causes intermittent continuity between terminals, a circuit may close and power the wiper motor. A special sealer has been applied to the soldered terminals of the switch?s printed circuit board during production to prevent this condition from occurring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NOTE: SERVICE BULLETIN 12-135-12R (SUNROOF BINDING, WEDGE CAP ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE REVISITED) HAS BEEN DELETED FROM STIS AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH SERVICE BULLETIN 07-72-13 (SUNROOF DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY, POPPING OR SLAMMING SOUND WHEN GLASS LOWERS PRIOR TO OPENING). IF YOU HAVE COPIES OF 12-135-12R PLEASE DISCARD AND REFER TO 07-72-13 FOR THE LATEST REPAIR PROCEDURE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe serious visibility-related failures. The most frequent complaint involves windshields cracking severely from small dings or minor rock strikes—six replacements by one owner, all documented by Safelite technicians who've observed the pattern repeatedly. Sunroof glass has spontaneously shattered into hundreds of pieces at highway speeds (60–65 mph) with no external cause; at least two separate incidents, one without warning at normal driving temperature. A third owner's moonroof detached entirely while driving.
Windshield wiper motors present a fire hazard: one owner's motor overheated and ignited while the vehicle was in motion, with flames under the hood. Fire department confirmed the wiper motor as the ignition source. Two separate owners report wiper electrical failures where the motor runs continuously at high speed in the off position, one requiring fuse removal to stop operation; both describe clicking or buzzing sounds in the steering column.
Supporting systems also fail: backup camera misalignment reduces rear visibility, and one rear-view mirror cannot be adjusted, sitting too low for driver sight lines. Subaru issued recall 11V467000 for sunroof assembly and 16V694000 for a visibility component, but multiple owners report critical parts remain unavailable, leaving vehicles unsafe and unrepaired for weeks or longer.
Same Subaru Outback visibility reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield cracking from minor impact
Windshield develops large cracks from small dings or minor rock strikes. Owners report 6 or more replacement events. Safelite and other glass repair technicians have documented the pattern across multiple replacements.
When: Multiple events over vehicle ownership; one replacement noted at 11,483 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Small ding immediately triggers large crack; Cracks hamper visibility; Minimal warning (only sound of impact)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple windshield replacements performed; at least 5 replacements documented by Safelite
Sunroof assembly defect and recall delay
Sunroof glass spontaneously exploded into hundreds of pieces while driving at 60 mph in clear conditions with no apparent cause. Related recall NHTSA 11V467000 cited in another complaint with significant parts availability delays preventing same-day repair as promised.
When: January 17, 2020; unrelated complaint at 11,483 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof spontaneously shatters into hundreds of glass pieces; No external cause (no cars in front, 37°F ambient temperature); Shade was closed, preventing glass intrusion into cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof shade protected interior; one complaint notes $99 charge for unrelated camera centering
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 11V467000 issued; one owner reported parts unavailable and promised same-day service not honored; vehicle held for weeks
Rear-view mirror non-adjustable
Rear-view mirror cannot be adjusted and sits too low for driver visibility. Dealer declined repair assistance; manufacturer refused to approve modifications.
When: 13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Mirror positioned too low for visibility; Mirror cannot be adjusted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer declined to assist with repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused to approve any modifications
Windshield wiper motor fire hazard
Wiper motor overheated and caught fire while vehicle was in motion, with flames shooting from under the hood. Fire department confirmed wiper motor as ignition source.
When: Daytime driving; specific date not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke detected while driving; Flames shooting from hood; Fire originating from wiper motor area
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department and neighbor extinguished fire; vehicle damage significant
Wiper motor electrical malfunction—continuous operation
Windshield wipers operate continuously in off position at high speed (second-highest available speed), requiring manual fuse removal to stop. Two separate complaints describe similar uncontrolled wiper operation with clicking or buzzing sounds in the steering column.
When: Mileage not stated; described as spontaneous onset
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers run at high speed in off position; Clicking or buzzing sound in steering column; Intermittent swiping (1–2 swipes, pause, repeat) in one case; Operation on dry windshield creates distraction
Repairs/costs cited: One owner pulled 30A fuse to stop operation; multiple owners report online activity suggesting pattern
Sunroof glass detachment while driving
Moonroof glass detached independently from vehicle frame while driving at 65 mph. Owner's VIN was not included in recall 11V467000, and manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Moonroof glass detached and separated from vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in NHTSA recall 11V467000; manufacturer not made aware
Backup camera misalignment
Rear-view backup camera not centered properly, limiting visibility. Dealer attributed failure to prior impact damage and charged $99 for repositioning.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Camera image not centered; Visibility compromised
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $99.00 at dealer
Recall parts unavailability—prolonged delay
Owner notified of NHTSA recall 16V694000 (visibility component) but parts remain unavailable for repair. Owner reports manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall completion with no apparent progress.
When: No failure experienced; recall notification timing unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Parts unavailable for recall repair; Extended delay beyond reasonable timeframe
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 16V694000 issued; parts distribution described as disconnected, preventing repair completion
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2011 Subaru outback. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle back up camera defect and requests reimbursement for repairs. *smd the consumer stated the back-up camera was not centered properly, the drivers side shoulder harness intermittently would not retract fully. Therefore, causing it to get stuck in the closing door and the heat register at the drivers foot seemed to be partially blocked.…
Had visibility trouble with your 2011 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2011 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 44,667 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.