2011 Subaru Outback Wipers & Visibility Problems
10 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Wipers & Visibility Recalls (2)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 3, 2010, THROUGH JULY 1, 2011. THE MOONROOF GLASS MAY COME LOOSE OR DETACH. THE AMOUNT AND POSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE GLASS AND RETAINER WAS INADEQUATELY APPLIED.
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.
Owner Complaints (10)
- Windshield cracks instead of dings (6 separate occasions now) - Cracks across windshield hamper visibility - The minute dings that result in window cracking/failure have been observed by technicians at Safelite and possibly other auto glass repair companies who have replaced the windshield (in the previous 5 replacements) and I have photos of the current window ding/crack. Each time there is a small ding it immediately results in a large crack. - The windshield was inspected by the auto glass repair techs employed by the repair companies suggested by the insurance company. -No warning other than hearing the rock or whatever item that glanced off the windshield.
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 60 MPH ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED INTO HUNDREDS OF BITS OF GLASS. FORTUNATELY, THE SHADE WAS CLOSED SO NO GLASS CAME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE, AND I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER FULL CONTROL. THIS OCCURRED DURING DAYTIME HOURS ON JANUARY 17, 2020. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 37 DEGREES. NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME THAT MAY HAVE THROWN UP ANY ROCKS, SO THERE IS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THIS GLASS FAILURE TO OCCUR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE MOON ROOF GLASS INDEPENDENTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (IRVINE SUBARU, LOCATED ON 23663 ROCKFIELD BLVD, LAKE FOREST, CA 92630) WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V467000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER STARTED WORKING WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION, THE WIPER MAKES 1 OR 2 SWIPES AND THEN DOES IT AGAIN AFTER A FEW SECONDS. IT MAKES A "CLICKING" OR BUZZING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ITS OPERATION WAS TO PULL THE 30 A FUSE. VERY FRUSTRATING. THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST STARTED DOING IT ON IT'S OWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V694000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE FRONT (WINDSHIELD) WIPERS WILL NOT SHUT OFF. IN THE OFF POSITION, THEY RUN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT EQUATES THE SECOND HIGHEST SPEED POSSIBLE. THE WIPERS RUNNING ON A DRY DAY, A DRY WINDSHIELD IS A CONSIDERABLE DISTRACTION. IT IS BEING REPORTED WITH MANY OWNERS ONLINE.
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. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REASON WHY THE CAMERA WAS NOT CENTERED, WAS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN HIT, AND IT WOULD COST $99.00 TO REPAIR IT.
MY WIFE LEFT THE HOUSE AND SMELLED SMOKE. SHE PULLED OVER AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE GOT OUR DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911. AS THE POLICE ARRIVED, ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE AND SAID THE WIPER MOTOR OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. MY WIFE WAS QUITE UPSET AT THE THOUGHT OUR LITTLE GIRL COULD OF BURNED IN THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V467000 (VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS BECAUSE THE NECESSARY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION BECAUSE THE RECALL NOTICE INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE HER VEHICLE BACK ON THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,483.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS TOO LOW FOR HIM TO SEE THROUGH BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED HE WAS ON HIS OWN WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT APPROVE ANY MODIFICATIONS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.