2003 Subaru Outback Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Internal coating inside compass mirror with auto light detection. The golden coating inside the mirror decomposed and ran into the mirror all within an hour or two. It wasn't hot, I just got into my car and it began to sort of melt. The used replacement is $225...this is a 2003 Subaru Outback ll bean edition....this is ridiculous!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10158069, filed 2006-05, 119,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Outback. Water was leaking in the vehicle through the sunroof. The dealer repaired the sunroof with silicone, but the failure recurred. The dealer repaired the failure again with the same silicone. The sunroof was never used. The water did not cause any damage. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 53,700.”
NHTSA complaint #10211126, filed 2007-12, 38,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10020532Oct 3, 2006Loose door mirror screws.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 23 | 22% |
| 2023 | 19 | 21% |
| 2022 | 280 | 60% |
| 2021 | 107 | 36% |
| 2020 | 383 | 43% |
| 2019 | 387 | 37% |
| 2018 | 273 | 33% |
| 2017 | 233 | 25% |
| 2016 | 91 | 14% |
| 2015 | 143 | 28% |
| 2014 | 10 | 5% |
| 2013 | 14 | 5% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 7 | 9% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Outback
19 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology