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Visibility & wipers

2011 Subaru Outback Visibility problems

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback's visibility & wipers with NHTSA - 4% of all its complaints, most recently on September 13, 2021. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Windshields, wipers, defrosters, mirrors, backup cameras and glare.

Complaints
23
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Visibility recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback

Visibility: motor

16V694000592,647 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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

11V46700069,590 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Visibility complaints

Visibility & wipers

- 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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11432834
Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

The head lights to this vehicle are constantly going out. Sometimes if I hit a bump the light will turn back on. Today I drove nearly fifty miles in the dark with either the high beams on or the lights completely off.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11404089
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

Have had the low beam headlights blown multiple times on my subaru outback, 2011, at least 3-4 times each ones, left and right. Don't remember if I received a notification from subaru or saw it online about the same complaint from many owners and subaru having a fix for it. Took it to the dealership in 2017 and they replaced the blown bulb and told me that it was a improper contact that caused the issue. Unfortunately, the problem continues. I have replaced the headlights at least 2 times since and have one blown again. Suspect that this is a design issue and needs a through fix. It can cause a dangerous situation if both headlights blow at the same time.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11316658
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11300827
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

Tamara recall I have had my 2011 outback for 4 months now and have gone through 3 sets of low beam headlights. Not sure why they keep dying prematurely. I have gotten more expensive bulbs every time and now the $60 bulbs are doing the same thing. I feel there is an electrical issue and I have seen multiple forums describing the same issue from other people with the same year, make, and model.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11104910
AirbagsVisibility & wipers

Takata recall - also, wiper motor safety recall. I've attempted to work with subaru to get these two recalls addressed, and made two phone calls in early april, and after being told to wait and be contacted by an approved dealership, there was no follow-up and no appointment set. After several weeks of waiting I contacted subaru again, this time through email on may 20th, and was again told to wait to be contacted by the closest approved dealership, which is more than 40 miles away in my case. Throughout the...

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process, subaru has made no attempt to accommodate the distance or time required to perform the repair. Still, I've done as they asked and waited to be contacted by my closest approved dealership (chatham parkway subaru), and again there was no follow-up. I've been attempting to get these recalls addressed since april 4th, and have grown increasingly frustrated with how difficult its been to get their attention. I do not know if this is the appropriate avenue to file such a complaint, but I'm unsure of exactly what options are available to me at this point. I just want to have two safety recalls repaired.

Filed Incident Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11099224
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11003050
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10982974
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

My headlights have gone out 6 times! The last time I switched to an led system and now it has blown my rf headlight in 6 months! Led it supposed to last longer! I definitely have some kind of electrical issue!

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10940389
AirbagsVisibility & wipers

Takata recall have had two verbal discussions about replacement parts and one email inquiry, but no reply or response from my local dealership south blvd subaru charlotte nc after conversation with a salesman I suspect "unsold" vehicles on their lot are receiving replacement parts before customer vehicles. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10936471
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipers

The vehicle will stall out when the brakes are pressed abruptly and the speed suddenly decreases. This is extremely unsafe. Especially for my pregnant wife to be driving. We bought a subaru because we thought they were built right and safe. We were wrong. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10935430
AirbagsVisibility & wipers

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v694000 (visibility) and 16v358000 (air bags). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10929650
AirbagsVisibility & wipers

Takata recall I am concerned about the airbag recall. Our subaru outback is our only vehicle, and it is our family vehicle. My pregnant wife is due with our second child and has been sitting in the back seat. However, that child could come any time. She is a high risk pregnancy with a history of premature birth. At 33 weeks, this is the farthest she's ever come along in a pregnancy. If this baby comes, then it means someone in our family will not be able to sit in our car if we all go out together. The airbag...

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recall fix is urgent for us. We can't really wait much longer, unless subaru wants to rent a larger vehicle for us until the repair can be made. Is there anything that can be done so we can have our subaru back to it's original intent as a family vehicle asap?

Filed Incident Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10929646
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10925934
LightsAirbagsVisibility & wipers

"Airbag recall" this recall was in june and subaru it not taking any appointments to fix the problem.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10916389
LightsVisibility & wipers

I have replaced my headlight bulbs 3 times for each headlight and I only have 88,000 miles on my car.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10761973
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

We were coming home from a fireworks display at night and my son told me to turn on my lights which already had done, and the low beams on both sides and the marker lights didn't work. I tried turning switch to all positions and they still didn't come on. The high beams work okay and turn signals front and back & brake lights work. We drove home with the fog lights which still work. We need the car to go on vacation and the dealer can't fix it right away as well as what it will cost there or if I have to have some...

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else fix it. It's definitely a safety issue because the road we drive home on has very little if any lighting and there are twists and turns and you could easily drive into a stone outcropping or into he water at any point. I had my wife and two young nephews with us as well. I checked the lights again to make sure what ones were out, I checked the fuses as well to see if something had blown and they were okay.There have been multiple complaints on this and other websites about the subaru lights. With all the recalls of every vehicles of every 'description, the whole auto industry is totally out of control and needs to be reigned in, it's a huge safety and overall quality issue not to mention the millions of work hours and time lost by tens of thousands of people having to deal with problem

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10747854
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10731881
Visibility & wipersSeats & seat beltsEquipment & accessories

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.

Filed Incident Visibility · Seat belts · EquipmentNHTSA 10556703
Visibility & wipersFire

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.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10444466
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10434232
Visibility & wipers

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.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10432720
Engine & coolingVisibility & wipers

On manual air conditioning models with full maximum settings the system operates to full capacity, 39-41 degrees f.; However, after 10 minutes of operation without maximum setting changed the output temperature is reduced to 50-53 degrees f. Dealer serviced, indicated that this is normal operation for this make/model. The internal cabin temperature after one hour of operation will only achieve 82 f. When outside temperature is 92-94 degree f. With maximum setting; as well as, internal air circulation. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · VisibilityNHTSA 10426766

Subaru Outback visibility complaints by year

Outback visibility problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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