2016 Subaru Outback: Water leak
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Outback report: water leak. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 45,550 miles.
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints for the 2016 Outback in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11706372 (filed 12/21/2025): “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 availab…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11695178 (filed 10/23/2025): “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 bott…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: new elec harness (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Leaks can often be traced with a water test and resealed; glass replacement is a pro job. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,330 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .