Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Subaru outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, a crack formed on the upper passenger's side of the windshield. The contact stated that he checked the security footage around his home where the vehicle was parked and saw no evidence of an impact to the windshield. The contact stated the crack impaired his visibility while…
2013 Subaru Outback visibility problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 visibility complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Subaru outback. When the front windshield wipers were activated, the wipers failed to operate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v694000 (visibility). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated…
Had visibility trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 45,000 and 63,680 miles, with the median around 49,935. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 63,680. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2013/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.