Windshield wiper motor bottom cover may melt
Defect Summary
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.
Safety Consequence
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.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Subaru Of America, Inc. or involving Visibility.
FAQ: Recall 16V694000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 16V694000?
NHTSA recall 16V694000 was issued by Subaru Of America, Inc. on September 27, 2016. It addresses: Windshield wiper motor bottom cover may melt. The recall affects approximately 592,647 vehicles, with the defect involving the Visibility component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Subaru Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 16V694000 or the manufacturer campaign number WTK-71. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.