2005 Subaru Outback Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I was driving on the highway and my sunroof exploded. I pulled over and looked for any rocks or anything in the car that would have shattered the sunroof but could not find anything.”
NHTSA complaint #10914392, filed 2016-10, 135,000 miles“Soon after purchasing the car, I realized that the rear wiper was not functioning. After checking an online owners forum I found that there is a common problem with the functions in the rear lift gate such as inoperable brake lights, rear wipers inoperable, and other items. This problem seems to be caused by the degradation of wire insulation and breakage of wire. Upon further investigation I discovered my own vehicle has a severed wire located in the accordion boot on the right (passenger) side near the hinge for the lift gate. This could result is serious safety issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10524556, filed 2013-07, 121,985 miles“The rear windshield wiper stopped working due to a bad electrical connection that occurs where the hatchback opens up. The wires fray and break from normal usage of the hatchback, causing loss of power to the rear windshield wiper, defogger and backup lights. I have experienced this problem and there a numerous blogs and videos on the internet showing this problem, this should be recall item for all 3rd generation Subaru outbacks (2005-2009).”
NHTSA complaint #10659732, filed 2014-11, 80,000 miles“Rear hatch harness wires are broken/ frayed. Backup lights do not work, and the rear wiper works intermittently. Every now and them rear defroster doesn't work. Hazard a lot of 2005-2009 outbacks have.”
NHTSA complaint #10883796, filed 2016-07, 87,000 miles“Rear wiper failure was first noticed followed by failure of the license plate light, the wiring harness in the rear lift gate has multiple broken wires where the door hinges. Appears that the wiring insulation becomes hardened and brittle, and will break instead of flexing. There are several other wires in the harness that are showing bare wire but have not yet broken. This is what all the harness enables and will eventually fail: rear wiper motor license plate light rear gate latch switch rear gate lock actuator rear defogger back-up light rh rear defogger back-up light lh”
NHTSA complaint #10554733, filed 2013-12, 98,000 milesVisibility (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 2005 Subaru Outback
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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