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2016 Subaru Outback visibility problems

91 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 36,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
91
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
36,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Windshield
    5
  • Sun/moon roof assembly
    1
  • Power window devices and controls
    1
  • Glass, side/rear
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Subaru Outback visibility problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Subaru Outback visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Windshield crack 70Wipers 15

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2016 Subaru Outback owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 21, 2025 · Visibility · IL

1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. At this moment windshield crack has been noticed. The windshield will not be available, replacing it on 12/22/2025 2. Visibility has been affected 3. No, problem was not reproduced. Dealer representative said that the problem is not covered by Subaru. 4. Windshield was visually inspected by the dealership representative. I will try to collect more data at the windshield replacement shop. 5. There were no symptoms of the problem. N.B - the crack outside is flat, as if no rock hit happened. - I have camera's MP4, where sounds can be heard, 1GB

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Visibility · WI

I had a rock thrown at my vehicle's windshield and required a replacement. I went to a Subaru dealership, Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha, local to me for a replacement. A day after I received my car, the windshield developed a hairline crack emanating from the bottom. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it again. After that time, it was a whole week and a half when I noticed a hairline crack, this time from the top working its way down. I brought it once again to the dealer for a replacement and a better explanation as to what is going on. 1.5 months later, I took my car again and was good for a little over a month, when I noticed the same hairline crack, this time from the bottom. I am up to having three windshields being installed and have no confidence in the safety and longevity of the vehicle I have. Subaru has had engineers come out to evaluate my vehicle and determined that its structural construction is not compromised and have tried to diagnose another probable cause coming from the windshield wiper heater and unplugged it. I have heard crack noises when driving at random intervals and have it noted to the dealership. no further update has been told to me as of the writing of this concern.

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Visibility · SC · crash

Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family. Backed into another car with no warning.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Visibility · VA

Travelling on I-95 southbound at approx. 70 mph in the right lane at least 8-10 car lengths behind another vehicle in front of me. Clear skies, 78* F, calm weather. I heard a loud, sudden noise followed by wind and what sounded like glass on my roof, thought it was fireworks or a gunshot. Pulled over to make sure my dogs are OK (all good, just spooked!) and see what happened to the car when I observed a large hole and continued cracking noise in the sunroof - glass was pushed outwards/ convex rather than concave as if an object had struck the glass from above or in front of my vehicle. Notified insurance then carefully drove home the remaining 20 or so miles, called dealership and started researching the issue. There are nearly 40 reports of spontaneous sunroof explosions on the federal safety agency website for Subaru Outbacks. Dealing with Subaru Corporate and a local dealership for repairs.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Visibility · OR

Windshield cracked on its own, this is the 3rd time I will be replacing windshield.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Visibility · OR

Windshield cracks on its own. This is my 3rd time replacing windhield.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Visibility · ME

A crack appeared across the upper middle of the windshield. There was no event, damage, or accident involved. The crack just appeared one day. The crack runs across the windshield in the area of the rear view mirror and in front of the mounted cameras used for the collision avoidance, lane departure system.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Visibility · GA

Front windshield cracked all the way across. Have not replaced so it is available for inspection. The crack impairs vision. Confirmed by dealer in Macon, GA. Has not been inspected except by the service department at Subaru in Macon, GA. No warning lamps or messages.

Filed Sep 9, 2022 · Visibility · 5,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she pull the window bottom for the front passenger side window to roll up automatically, she stated the window rolled shut but rolled down again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they stated that it may be a sensor that needed to be replaced that was triggering the anti-entrapment. The contact stated she tried resetting the one-touch feature, but it did not repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed May 31, 2022 · Visibility · MI

Windshield cracked

Questions about the 2016 Subaru Outback visibility

Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 91 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Outback visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 36,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Subaru Outback visibility?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Subaru Outback have the most visibility problems?

The Subaru Outback model years with the most visibility complaints are 2019 (387 complaints), 2020 (383 complaints) and 2022 (280 complaints).

Other 2016 Subaru Outback problems

Electrical 309Engine 56Transmission 45Steering 24Acceleration 22Body 19Brakes 19Driver assistance 17Fuel system 13Airbags 10Lights 5Seat belts 5Wheels 3Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1

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