Subaru Washer Pump Failure: Diagnosis & Common Fixes

I had a similar issue with my Subaru Outback 2009. As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I can share what helped resolve this problem. The warning light for low washer fluid kept showing up despite having a full reservoir. After a quick check at the workshop, they found that the wiper fluid sensor was faulty, causing false readings on the dashboard light. Additionally, the windshield washer pump had accumulated debris, blocking proper operation. The fix was straightforward and cost 25€, which covered: Cleaning the windshield washer pump, Checking all connections, Testing the wiper system functionality, Basic system diagnostic To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Have you checked if the fuse for the washer system is intact? Do you hear any clicking sound when activating the washers? Has the car been serviced recently? Did you notice any unusual sounds before the system failed? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something different.

Latest service was 2 months ago at 177179 KM. Thanks for sharing your repair experience. After reading your reply, I checked the washer fluid system fuse, it was good. No clicking sounds when activating the washers. The strange part is I can see the washer fluid level is full in the reservoir, but the washer motor seems completely dead. Unlike your case, I dont think debris is the issue since there are zero signs of pump activation. Would checking the electrical connections near the washer motor be a good next step before replacing the whole unit? Looking for input before deciding between DIY repair vs taking it to a shop.

Thanks for those additional details. Since you mentioned no sound at all from the washer pump, I found this quite similar to what I encountered later with my Outback, though in my initial post I focused on the first repair only. The washer pump actually failed completely about 6 months after that first repair. Like yours, there was zero response, no clicking, no humming, nothing. I checked the electrical connections at the pump as you suggested, and found significant corrosion on the terminals. However, even after cleaning them, the pump remained dead. In my case, the pump motor itself had failed and needed replacement. The part cost was 85€, plus labor brought it to about 160€ total at the shop. For DIY, accessing the washer fluid pump was fairly straightforward, it just required: Removing the wheel well liner, Locating the pump at the bottom of the washer fluid reservoir, Disconnecting the electrical connections, Removing the old pump While checking connections is worth trying, based on your description matching my later experience, especially the complete lack of pump activation, its likely youll need a new pump unit. The good news is the repair itself isnt too complex if you decide to tackle it yourself.

Thanks for the detailed explanation about the pump replacement. This helps a lot with my decision. Given the symptoms match your second repair exactly, especially with no sound at all from the washer motor, I think I'll try the DIY approach first. The complete silence when activating the washers seems to clearly point to a failed pump motor rather than a blockage or sensor issue. Since the warning light for low washer fluid went off after filling, at least that sensor appears to be working correctly. I'll start by checking those electrical connections, but will order a replacement pump unit to have on hand. The 85€ part cost seems reasonable, and avoiding labor charges makes it worth attempting myself. The access process you described through the wheel well liner sounds manageable. I'll update once I've tackled the repair to confirm if it was indeed a failed windshield washer pump motor. This has helped narrow down the most likely cause rather than spending time troubleshooting other potential issues.