Where is the folding motor for the Subaru Outback's side mirror located?
3 Answers
The folding motor for the Subaru Outback's side mirror is located at the junction between the mirror's tail and the car body. Subaru Outback Classification: The side mirror folding function refers to the ability of the car's side mirrors to fold and retract when necessary, which can be either manual or electric. Function and Purpose: During driving, vehicles are prone to minor accidents. As the widest component installed on the vehicle, side mirrors are most susceptible to impact in case of a scrape. To minimize damage, side mirrors need to have a folding function. Folding side mirrors can retract when passing through narrow sections, improving the vehicle's maneuverability. When the driver leaves the car, the side mirrors can also be folded, not only protecting the mirror surface but also reducing parking space, effectively avoiding scratches. Subaru Outback Advantages: The advantage is that the driver can fold the mirrors from inside the car, and the mirrors automatically unfold when the vehicle is started.
I've been driving a Subaru Outback for several years. The folding motor for the side mirror is hidden inside the mirror housing, usually installed in the lower part and securely held in place by a mounting bracket. You need to carefully remove the housing to see it, otherwise, if left exposed, it's prone to dust accumulation or rusting in rainy weather. The design is quite ingenious—compact yet powerful. Once it fails, the folding function stops working. Many friends have had to replace the entire mirror assembly because of this, which is not only costly but also a hassle. I encountered a similar situation myself. After discovering its hidden location, I learned to check for loose wiring and regularly use compressed air to blow out the gaps. Simple maintenance like this can extend its lifespan by several more years.
Last time I helped my relative fix his Outback, the power-folding mirror suddenly stopped working. When we opened the mirror housing, we saw the folding motor was precisely positioned at the central support point - a compact design where connecting to the circuit board enables rotation and retraction, showing thoughtful placement. From experience, most issues arise from either internal gear wear or water ingress in the motor. Disassembly isn't particularly difficult but requires gentle handling to avoid breaking the clips, and it's best to disconnect power first to prevent short circuits. When replacing the motor, I recommend genuine OEM parts for more reliable quality, costing just a few hundred yuan. As a reminder to everyone: if the mirror won't retract while driving, don't force it - protecting this mechanism is crucial.
