What Eyesight Disabled Means on a Subaru

Eyesight disabled is Subaru's term for when the EyeSight Driver information system has been turned off or is not functioning. EyeSight is Subaru's suite of camera-based safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision warning, lane-keep information, and lane departure warning. When a Subaru is marked as "Eyesight disabled," these features are either deactivated in the vehicle's settings or the system itself is not operational due to a malfunction or repair.

This status appears in Subaru's internal systems and dealer records. It does not mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive or that you cannot own it — it means the specific camera-based safety package is not active. The rest of the vehicle's standard safety systems, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control, remain fully functional.

Owners most often encounter this label when they purchase a used Subaru, when they bring a vehicle in for service and the system is deactivated during repair, or when they intentionally disable the feature themselves because they find it intrusive or prefer to drive without it.

Key Takeaways

  • Eyesight disabled means Subaru's camera-based safety system is turned off or not working, but the vehicle's core safety systems remain intact.
  • Dealers and Subaru's computer systems track which vehicles have Eyesight disabled, and this status can affect resale value and warranty coverage for that specific system.
  • You can request that Eyesight be re-enabled at any Subaru dealership, though the system must first be inspected or repaired if it was disabled due to malfunction.
  • Disabling Eyesight yourself through the vehicle's settings menu does not void your overall warranty, but it may affect coverage if the system later malfunctions.
  • Insurance companies do not typically charge more or less based on Eyesight status, but some insurers offer small discounts for vehicles with active safety systems.

Why Subaru Marks Vehicles as Eyesight Disabled

Subaru dealerships and service centers disable EyeSight for several operational reasons. During routine service — particularly windshield replacement, camera calibration, or collision repair — technicians may deactivate the system temporarily or permanently depending on what work was done and whether the cameras were recalibrated correctly.

If a vehicle comes in with a malfunctioning EyeSight system and the owner does not authorize repair, the dealership will often disable it in the system rather than leave it in a fault state. This prevents warning lights from appearing on the dashboard and prevents the system from behaving unpredictably. It also signals to the next service advisor that the feature is known to be non-functional.

Some owners intentionally request that Eyesight be disabled because they find the alerts distracting, because the system interferes with their driving preferences, or because they do not want to pay for recalibration after a windshield replacement. Subaru allows owners to disable the feature through the vehicle's infotainment menu, though dealerships can also do this during service.

How Eyesight Disabled Status Affects Resale and Trade-In Value

A vehicle marked as Eyesight disabled will typically have a lower trade-in or resale value than an identical model with the system active and functioning. The discount varies by model year, mileage, and local market, but buyers generally view an active safety system as a feature that adds value. A used car buyer may see "Eyesight disabled" in the Carfax or AutoCheck report or in the dealer's listing and interpret it as a sign of previous damage or a system that was too expensive to repair.

When you trade in or sell a Subaru with Eyesight disabled, be prepared to explain why. If the system was disabled because of a windshield replacement or routine service, that is straightforward and does not raise red flags. If it was disabled because the system malfunctioned and the previous owner did not repair it, a buyer may worry about the cost of repair or whether the cameras are damaged.

If you own a vehicle with Eyesight disabled and plan to sell it, you have the option to have the system inspected and repaired at a Subaru dealership before listing. This will restore the feature and likely recover some of the value loss, though you will need to weigh the repair cost against the expected increase in resale price.

Re-Enabling Eyesight and What the Process Involves

If your Subaru has Eyesight disabled and you want to restore it, visit a Subaru dealership and request that the system be re-enabled. The dealership will first run a diagnostic scan to determine whether the system is disabled in software only or whether there is an underlying hardware malfunction.

If the system is straightforward disabled in the vehicle's settings, the service advisor can re-enable it when ready at no cost. If the cameras are not communicating with the vehicle's computer or if there is a fault code, the dealership will need to inspect the camera hardware, check the wiring, and possibly recalibrate the system. Camera recalibration typically costs between $100 and $200 and requires specialized equipment. If a camera is damaged or the wiring harness is faulty, repair costs can be higher.

The dealership will also ask whether you want the system re-enabled if it was disabled at your request. If you disabled it yourself because you prefer to drive without it, you can leave it disabled. If you want it back on, the service team will turn it on and test it before you leave.

Warranty Coverage and Eyesight Disabled Status

Subaru's powertrain and basic warranty cover the vehicle regardless of whether Eyesight is disabled. However, the EyeSight system itself has its own coverage terms. If you disable Eyesight intentionally through the vehicle's menu, you do not void your overall warranty, but Subaru may not cover repairs to the EyeSight system if it later malfunctions — the reasoning being that you chose to disable it and may have caused the malfunction yourself.

If Eyesight was disabled by a dealership during service and you later discover a malfunction, warranty coverage depends on the reason for the original disabling. If it was disabled because of a known fault and the dealership documented that fault, Subaru should cover the repair under warranty if the vehicle is still within the warranty period. If the system was disabled during windshield replacement or collision repair and then malfunctions, the dealership may argue that the malfunction is related to the service work and therefore not a manufacturing defect.

Always ask the dealership to document in writing why Eyesight is being disabled and whether the system was tested before disabling. This record protects you if you later need to file a warranty claim.

Insurance and Eyesight Disabled Vehicles

Insurance companies do not penalize you for having Eyesight disabled. Your premium will not increase because the system is off. Some insurers offer small discounts — typically 5 to 10 percent — for vehicles with active collision avoidance or adaptive cruise control systems, but these discounts are usually only applied if you can prove the system is functioning. If Eyesight is disabled, you would not receive that discount, but you also would not be charged extra.

When you file a claim after an accident, the insurance company may ask whether Eyesight was active at the time. If the system was disabled, it does not affect your coverage or your claim payout. However, if the accident involved a collision that Eyesight might have prevented, the insurer may note this in their records. This does not change your coverage, but it may be relevant if you later dispute a claim denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a Subaru with Eyesight disabled?

Yes, completely. Eyesight is an optional safety feature, not a requirement for the vehicle to operate. All of the vehicle's core safety systems — brakes, airbags, stability control — work normally. Driving without Eyesight is no different from driving any other vehicle without advanced driver information systems.

Will a Subaru dealership tell me if Eyesight is disabled when I buy a used car?

Not automatically. You should ask the dealership directly whether the EyeSight system is active and functioning. Request a test drive where you can verify that adaptive cruise control and lane-keep information work. You can also ask to see the vehicle's service history to check whether the system was disabled during previous service.

How much does it cost to repair a malfunctioning EyeSight system?

Camera recalibration costs $100 to $200. If a camera is damaged or the wiring is faulty, repair costs can range from $300 to $1,000 or more depending on which component failed. Get a diagnostic scan and written estimate from a Subaru dealership before committing to repair.

Does Eyesight disabled appear on a Carfax or AutoCheck report?

It may, depending on whether the dealership that disabled it reported the service to the national database. Not all service records appear on third-party reports, so the absence of "Eyesight disabled" on a Carfax does not mean the system is functioning. Always ask the seller or dealer directly.

If I disable Eyesight myself, can I turn it back on later?

Yes. If you disabled it through the vehicle's infotainment menu, you can re-enable it the same way. If a dealership disabled it, they can re-enable it at your request. There is no permanent consequence to disabling and re-enabling the system.