2001 Subaru outback driver side windshield wiper goes to far to the outside tears up the end of the blade - ideas please

this issue is commonly caused by worn out bushings in the wiper linkage. They are fairly easy to replace just pop out the damaged one and match it up with a new one and pop it back in.
Below is a pic of the replacement ones that come in a multi pack made by dorman



subaru wiper linkage

Look up at your hood... there will be one hose running to the left side of the windshield, and one running to the right side. The right (Driver's) side goes down to a "T" connector, which is right near your master brake cylinder, but up on the hood itself... it connects back there. I couldn't figure it out either... luckily I have 2 Outbacks... a 1998 and a 2001... both connect the same way.

It could be a relatively easy fix or it could take some effort. First, try repositioning the wiper. By flipping up the end cap of the wiper arm and backing off the set screw that holds it on the wiper motor post. Remember, what position it was in by placing a piece of tape on the windshield. Pull the wiper arm off by pulling it off in line ith the angle of the wiper motor post. Take a close look at the splines of both the wiper blade arm and wiper motor. If either is damaged you will have to replace that component. Estimate the amount of adjustment you need and reinstall the wiper blade arm that amount in relationship to the piece of tape. Tighten set screw and try it.
If it still does it but less then repeat the process until you get it adjusted correctly. If there was no change thing it could be the wiper motor and that takes some effort to replace.

Some of your fuses are located under the hood on the driver's side, right behind the battery. Underneath a black cover. The rest are on driver's side in the car, on the far left side, mounted behind a black cover, to the left of where your left leg goes when driving. Your sprayer may not be working if it is clogged up, common problem. Can you hear the sprayer work? I have 1996 outback and just cleaned out all my hoses and now the sprayer works fine.

I have the same problem with a 2001 Legacy wagon. The problem is not as simple as the solutions above. Mine are adjusted to park as low as possible when turned off. Even so, the blade on the drivers side goes all the way off the windshield. The Subaru dealer wants to replace the whole wiper blade transmission for about $450. Looking online it seems to be interconnecting arms and pivot points that connect the motor to the wiper blade arms.

PRESS ON THE TAB AND PUSH THE BLADE ASSEMBLY OUT OF THE HOOK AT THE END TO REMOVE IT.IF STILL HAVE PROBLEMS REMOVING REAR WIPER BLADE.AUTO ZONE OR ADVANCE WILL DO IT FOR YOU FREE WHEN YOU BUY A NEW SET BLADES FROM THEM IF YOU DONT BUY NEW BLADES THEY WILL STILL HELP YOU REPLACE THEM.

I had the same problem with my 99 Silhouette...after they put in a new windshield wiper kept going over the side of the window and tearing the blades up....ended up that the wiper arm was out of adjustment ....they came back and readjusted and it was perfect

check the tension on the wiper arm itself...there is a 12mm locknut that will go lose and it being lose will cause the arm to slip on the shaft...there is a cover on that wiper arm hiding that nut

look for the drl relay

hello, this sounds like your wiper transmission got out of alignment possibly due to ice on windsheild.don't really know.short of replacing you could loosen the nut under the cover and move wiper arm back possibly.