2016 Subaru Outback Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 91about this part
- Share
- 14%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 91 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 14% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sudden 6 crack in windshield originating on the lower edge under the wipers. I had driven the car home for lunch and back to work at 1:15pm and the crack was not there. When I got off work at 4pm the crack was there. Drove car home and put it in the garage. The next morning at 7am the crack was approximately 12 long running at a diagonal towards the outer edge of the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11072064, filed 2018-02, 19,500 miles“I had purchased my car in feb 2016. We had to have windshield replaced 90 days later. And they told me the glass is thinner due to eye sight. I've had wind shield replaced 2 other times since then. We were driving down the highway,and it was struck by rocks. I went to Subaru and they stated there was nothing wrong with their glass. And each time it was replaced. 1 at their cost and 2 at mind. All of the papers work I can get from ins. Company”
NHTSA complaint #11310840, filed 2020-02, 1,700 miles“I have a 2016 Subaru Outback, which I've owned since new (09/15/2015). I've had to replace 8 windshield so far, sometimes within 3 months, or even 2 days apart. I drive around san francisco bay area (not statistically higher risk for windshield damage) this constant issue with the windshield affects the safety of the car in case of foreign object impact or spontaneous cracking, because of reduced visibility and compromised structural/impact protection”
NHTSA complaint #11307398, filed 2020-02, 64,880 miles“The windshield developed a fissure over 2 feet long with no known (visible or audible impact) I simply noticed it as I was driving home and it was not there when I left home. It starts in the lower passenger side under the black portion and runs half way across the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11021726, filed 2017-09, 28,000 miles“I bought a 2016 Subaru Outback on march 5th, 2016. After two weeks I took a trip down to atlanta and back to knoxville, tn. I was driving on I-75 and going 70mph. I heard no sound nor did I see a rock or debris hit my windshield, but all of a sudden I saw a crack appear. Within an hour of home this crack grew from about 3 inches to 5 inches. I called Subaru of america and all they told me was 'cracks happen.'”
NHTSA complaint #10850872, filed 2016-03, 1,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10188151Feb 1, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) Quality Assurance has identified an increase in the number of cracked windshields on some 2015 and 2016MY Legacy and Outback models. SOA has now…
- 10186430Jan 27, 2021Windshield Extension parameter changes
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 2016 Subaru Outback
309 complaintsOther or unknown
124 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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