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ProblemsByVinSUBARU / VISIBILITY
82 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Subaru visibility problems
3,970 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Subaru vehicles for visibility issues.
16 active recall campaigns. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
3,970
Recalls
16
Year-models
82
Avg fix
$350
5crashes
3fires
3injuries
Editorial perspective by Shop Foreman · Lead technician
At the shop, Subaru visibility issues have a recognizable signature. 3,970 documented complaints across 82 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 5 crash reports on file. Not a high count, but the failure mode has put owners in the position to file. Across the 2,160 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 17,489 miles. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
Worst-affected Subaru model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92.
Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011
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.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011
The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from august 3, 2010, through july 1, 2011
The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2011. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Common questions
How many Subaru visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
3,970 complaints across 82 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 16 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the Subaru lineup.
Which Subaru model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2019 Subaru Forester leads with 387 complaints in this category. Next: 2020 Outback (354) and 2019 Outback (347).
What does it cost to fix Subaru visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the Subaru lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Subaru visibility recalls?
Yes — 8 active recall campaigns cover visibility on Subaru vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Subaru.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.