Recall 16V694 covers 592,647 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles for windshield wiper motor overheating. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 592,647 2010-2014 Outback and Legacy vehicles because contamination inside the windshield wiper motor bottom cover can let parts interfere when snow or ice blocks the wipers from parking. An overheated motor can stop the wipers, reduce visibility, and melt the cover, raising crash and fire risk; the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front windshield wiper motor on 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles drives the wiper arms across the glass and returns them to the parked position at the base of the windshield. Inside the motor assembly, a bottom cover protects electrical and mechanical parts that have to move without touching each other.
On affected vehicles, contamination from the manufacturing process can leave parts inside that bottom cover interfering with each other. If snow, ice, or another obstruction keeps the wiper arms from returning to the parked position, the motor keeps working against the blockage. That extra load can overheat the motor and melt the bottom cover.
You can still have normal wiper operation before the problem shows up. The warning signs Subaru identified are smoke from the wiper motor area or a burning smell near the windshield.
Who's affected?
Outback and Legacy share the same wiper-system scope across the 2010-2014 model years.
| 2010 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
| 2012 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
| 2013 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
| 2013 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
| 2014 Subaru Legacy | wiper system |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | wiper system |
| Units affected | 592,647 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An overheating windshield wiper motor can stop the wipers, reduce visibility, and increase the risk of a crash. Heat can also melt the motor cover and increase fire risk. If you smell burning or see smoke near the wiper motor area, pull over safely and call a Subaru dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Subaru Outback or Legacy is included in this recall.
- Watch for Subaru's owner letter, which was mailed October 25, 2016, before scheduling the free repair.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to ask whether the windshield-wiper-motor-bottom-cover replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 16V694 and Subaru recall WTK-71 when you call the dealer or Subaru customer service.
- Avoid driving in heavy rain, snow, or ice until the repair is complete, since wiper failure reduces visibility.
What happens at the repair
Subaru's remedy is to replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly. Because the remedy status is not listed as available here, treat the final dealer repair as free once Subaru opens it for your VIN. At the dealer, a Subaru technician removes the affected bottom cover assembly and installs the replacement cover so the wiper motor is no longer relying on the contaminated part. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented prior wiper motor cover repairs. Ask Subaru customer service or the service desk what paperwork is required.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 25, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V694?
Recall 16V694 covers 592,647 2010-2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles with a windshield wiper motor bottom cover defect. Contamination inside the cover can let parts interfere, overheat the motor, stop the wipers, reduce visibility, and raise fire risk.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Subaru Outback or Legacy is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Subaru is included in recall 16V694. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for recall WTK-71. The dealer replaces the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru says dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V694?
The safety risk is loss of wiper operation and fire. If snow, ice, or another obstruction keeps the wipers from parking, the motor can overheat. The wipers can fail and reduce driver visibility, and the wiper motor cover can melt.
What if I bought my Subaru Outback or Legacy used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall WTK-71 if your vehicle is included. Used vehicles and vehicles repaired under the earlier 11V-469 recall still need this repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V694000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V694 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V694000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →