2016 Subaru Outback visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 21, 2025ILVisibility & Wipers

   1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. At this moment windshield crack has been noticed. The windshield will not be available, replacing it on 12/22/2025 2. Visibility has been affected 3. No, problem was not reproduced. Dealer representative said that the problem is not covered by Subaru. 4. Windshield was visually inspected by the…

   NHTSA complaint #11706372 · source
2. Filed Oct 23, 2025WIVisibility & Wipers

   I had a rock thrown at my vehicle's windshield and required a replacement. I went to a Subaru dealership, Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha, local to me for a replacement. A day after I received my car, the windshield developed a hairline crack emanating from the bottom. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it again. After that time, it was a whole week and a half when I noticed a hairline crack, this time from the top working its way down. I brought it once again to…

   NHTSA complaint #11695178 · source
3. Filed Jul 5, 2024SCCrashDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family. Backed into another car with no warning.

   NHTSA complaint #11599174 · source
4. Filed Jun 10, 2024VAOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   Travelling on I-95 southbound at approx. 70 mph in the right lane at least 8-10 car lengths behind another vehicle in front of me. Clear skies, 78* F, calm weather. I heard a loud, sudden noise followed by wind and what sounded like glass on my roof, thought it was fireworks or a gunshot. Pulled over to make sure my dogs are OK (all good, just spooked!) and see what happened to the car when I observed a large hole and continued cracking noise in the sunroof - glass was…

   NHTSA complaint #11593375 · source
5. Filed Mar 24, 2023MEVisibility & Wipers

   A crack appeared across the upper middle of the windshield. There was no event, damage, or accident involved. The crack just appeared one day. The crack runs across the windshield in the area of the rear view mirror and in front of the mounted cameras used for the collision avoidance, lane departure system.

   NHTSA complaint #11513564 · source
6. Filed Jan 24, 2023GAVisibility & Wipers

   Front windshield cracked all the way across. Have not replaced so it is available for inspection. The crack impairs vision. Confirmed by dealer in Macon, GA. Has not been inspected except by the service department at Subaru in Macon, GA. No warning lamps or messages.

   NHTSA complaint #11503406 · source
7. Filed Sep 9, 20225,000 miTXVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she pull the window bottom for the front passenger side window to roll up automatically, she stated the window rolled shut but rolled down again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they stated that it may be a sensor that needed to be replaced that was triggering the anti-entrapment. The contact stated she tried resetting the one-touch feature, but it did not repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.…

   NHTSA complaint #11483626 · source
8. Filed Mar 1, 202278,000 miNJVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon defrosting the windshield and clearing it from the heavy ice that had collected on the windshield during an ice storm, he noticed that there was a 30-inch long crack at the bottom of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11454643 · source
9. Filed Feb 24, 2022FLVisibility & Wipers

   Went out to my car this morning and noticed a linear 6 inch crack in my windshield-it expanded from near the wiper on the driver side upward and within 2 hours another crack began about 5 inches lateral to the ever expanding first crack which is now greater than 12 inches long. I called devoe subaru in naples florida and asked about windshield crack and repair-i had bought the car there 3 years ago. I was informed they do not repair windshields, never did they mention this…

   NHTSA complaint #11453928 · source
10. Filed Jan 25, 2022VTVisibility & Wipers

    We have replaced about 5 windshields in this vehicle since we have owned it. The cracks form from the bottom of the windshield in the black area where a rock couldn't possibly chip the windshield. Subaru refuses to recognize this vin number as part of their class action law suit that was just settled and has refused to extend the warranty on this particular vehicle although they are covering replacement windshields for other 2016 Subaru Outbacks. They clearly recognize that…

    NHTSA complaint #11448849 · source
11. Filed Jan 10, 202246,000 miGAVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle in the morning, she noticed a L-shaped crack in the windshield which originated on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that an issue with the windshield wiper had caused the fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11446842 · source
12. Filed Dec 29, 2021TXVisibility & Wipers

    On November 15, 2021 my car was in the garage as normal. I started my car and I heard a "pop" I was headed out my driveway is when I notice a crack at the bottom of the windshield that is about 3" high and then curves for about 4".

    NHTSA complaint #11445393 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology