Visibility — Vehicle Component Safety Report

Visibility failure reports: 3525 total complaints across 100 vehicles from 7 makes. See which models are most affected.

3525Total Complaints
100Affected Vehicles
7Makes Affected

Visibility Decision Cockpit

This component hub groups real NHTSA complaint signals by make, model year, and vehicle page. Use it as a spoke from individual vehicle reports into the broader visibility safety pattern.

Top Makes for Visibility Complaints

Subaru — 3122 Toyota — 327 Ram — 35 Volkswagen — 19 Tesla — 11 Volvo — 6 Porsche — 5

Top Years for Visibility Complaints

2019 — 885 2020 — 730 2018 — 457 2017 — 412 2022 — 298 2021 — 276 2016 — 198 2015 — 153

A high complaint count does not automatically prove a defect, but it is a strong inspection signal when the same component appears repeatedly across related vehicles, years, recalls, or crash narratives.

Common Visibility Issues

The visibility component is one of the most commonly reported areas of failure in NHTSA consumer complaints. Issues range from minor inconveniences to serious safety hazards including potential crashes and fires. Below are the vehicles most affected by visibility problems.

Most Affected Vehicles

VehicleComplaintsRecalls
2019 Subaru Forester 346 0
2020 Subaru Outback 272 0
2019 Subaru Outback 271 0
2022 Subaru Outback 234 0
2020 Subaru Forester 234 0
2018 Subaru Outback 210 0
2017 Subaru Outback 180 0
2018 Subaru Forester 123 0
2015 Subaru Outback 111 0
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 106 0
2017 Subaru Forester 93 0
2021 Subaru Outback 86 0
2016 Subaru Outback 75 0
2021 Subaru Forester 67 0
2021 Toyota Venza 65 0
2019 Subaru Ascent 60 0
2018 Subaru Crosstrek 56 0
2019 Subaru Impreza 52 0
2020 Subaru Legacy 50 0
2020 Subaru Impreza 48 0
2019 Subaru Legacy 46 0
2020 Subaru Ascent 44 0
2020 Ram 1500 35 0
2016 Toyota Prius 33 0
2016 Toyota Prius V 32 0
2016 Toyota Prius C 32 0
2017 Subaru Legacy 30 0
2015 Subaru Legacy 30 0
2020 Subaru Crosstrek 29 0
2018 Subaru Impreza 28 0

Frequently Asked Questions About Visibility Safety

What are the most common visibility problems in cars?

Based on 3525 NHTSA complaints across 100 vehicles, visibility issues range from minor malfunctions to serious safety hazards. The most affected vehicles are listed in the table below — click any vehicle to see its specific visibility complaint details.

Which vehicles have the most visibility recalls?

The Subaru Forester is among the most affected. See the ranked table below for the full list of 100 vehicles with visibility complaints filed with NHTSA.

How dangerous are visibility failures?

Visibility failures can range from minor inconveniences to serious safety hazards. Some visibility complaints involve crashes, fires, or injuries. Always have visibility issues inspected promptly by a qualified mechanic, especially if your vehicle is subject to a related recall.

How do I check if my car has a visibility recall?

Search for your vehicle using our search tool or enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If a visibility recall exists for your vehicle, the repair is free at authorized dealerships.