Stuck Subaru Sunshade: Common Fix for Electric Blind

Had a similar issue with my 2009 Subaru Legacy Diesel. Based on some experience working with car interior electronics, these sun blind problems are pretty common in this model range. After diagnosing with error codes, took it to a workshop where they found the electric motor for the sun visor mechanism was completely dead. Unfortunately, the motor is integrated into the sunblind assembly, making individual part replacement tricky. The workshop confirmed the entire sun protection unit needed replacement. Total repair cost was 330€, which included the new interior accessory unit and labor. The job took about 2 hours since they had to partially remove the headliner to access the mounting points. What interior trim level does your Impreza have? The assembly part numbers can vary based on trim package. Also, can you hear any noise when trying to operate the sun blind? This could help determine if its just the motor or if theres additional mechanical binding in the tracks. Make sure to have the exact build date of your car when ordering parts, as there were some minor changes in the sun visor assemblies during that production year.

Service info: Last service completed at 34968 KM Thanks for the detailed reply. I do hear a faint clicking noise when trying to operate the window visor controls, but no actual movement. My car has the premium trim package with full leather interior. Based on your experience, it sounds like I might be facing the same motor failure. Before going for the full replacement though, I noticed the sun blind makes a different sound compared to when it was working properly. Would cleaning the track mechanism be worth trying first, or would you say the clicking noise pretty much confirms its the motor?

Thanks for the additional details about the symptoms. The clicking sound youre describing matches exactly what I experienced before my sunshade motor completely failed. While cleaning the tracks is good maintenance practice for any car sunshade, in our specific Subaru models that clicking noise is a telltale sign of motor failure. I tried the cleaning approach first on mine, thinking it might just be debris causing the UV protection mechanism to bind. Used a plastic trim tool and careful vacuum cleaning of the tracks, but the problem persisted. The distinct clicking noise comes from the motor trying but failing to engage, rather than mechanical binding in the tracks. Given your premium trim level, youll need the higher spec sun blind assembly which includes additional UV protection features. The part will be slightly more expensive than the base model version, but the labor time remains the same. From my repair experience, Id recommend going straight for the motor replacement to avoid spending time and money on temporary fixes. The sunshade repair process requires removal of interior trim pieces anyway, so might as well address the root cause while everything is apart. Just ensure your workshop uses the updated version of the sunshade assembly, as earlier versions had some known reliability issues with the motor unit.

Thanks for breaking down your experience with such detail. Given the matching symptoms and that distinctive clicking sound, I think youre right about it being the motor. Was hoping to avoid the full sunshade repair but seems theres no way around it. My local dealer quoted 390€ for the premium trim sun blind assembly plus labor, which lines up with what you paid. Going to schedule the repair next week since the summer heat is making the broken sunshade really noticeable. Will make sure they use the updated version of the car blind assembly you mentioned. Really appreciate you confirming this is a known issue with these models. At least now I know what Im dealing with and wont waste time trying track cleaning or other temporary fixes. Thanks for helping diagnose the exact problem, saved me some headaches trying cheaper solutions that probably wouldnt have worked anyway.