Wiper problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback - part 2

318 problems related to wiper have been reported for the 2020 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2020 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2020 Outback.

36 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/28/2022

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after coming outside to start the vehicle it was discovered that the front glass windshield had cracked. The crack was located on the passenger side of the front windshield and extended between 11 to 15 inches long. The cause of crack was not determined. The contact indicated that no object had made contact with the windshield to cause the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 19000.

37 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/25/2022

Windshield defective issues. The windshield in my Subaru Outback cracked twice in a 6-month period. Both incidents occurred while driving between 40-55 mph in san diego. The first time (July 2022) the windshield cracked for no apparent reason. I took the car to the Subaru dealership for a windshield replacement. The second time (12/25/22) it appears that a small pebble hit the windshield on the bottom side of the windshield. I am really not even sure a pebble hit the windshield, I just heard the windshield crack. Subaru has been notified of this second incident and I am waiting for an appointment to replace the cracked windshield. This is appears to be a defect on the windshield. I've never had this issue with any other car. Its troubling to know that the windshield on my car can cracked so easily and it worries me for the safety of my family. Please investigate all the other complains that have been submitted related to Subaru's windshield cracking.

38 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/24/2022

Multiple issues are with the electric system. The power windows will stop working up or down, the headunit/defroster/safety features will all lose power while driving before starting up again, the rear gate will sometimes not function. Some issues have occurred where some of the added safety features don't seem to always function as well. In the last month both passenger side windows have cracked. The front is cracked vertically and the rear is cracked horizontally, nearly the length of the window. Living in alaska, cold weather is not foreign and all care is taken to ensure the integrity of the glass is preserved. I am not sure how/why these windows cracked, it was during a period of cold around December 14, 2022. I did a little googling and this doesn't seem to be a totally unheard of problem. Losing your window definitely compromises safety, as well as the fact that if it is -40f and you lose a window.

39 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/02/2022

The windshield has a crack. There is mo evidence any object striking the windshield. The crack starts at the top just to left of the rear view mirror and then loos down to the left like a fishhook.

40 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 11/11/2022

We have had our 2020 Subaru Outback for almost 2 years. Within these years, we have had 3 cracked windshields. The first time a rock hit the windshield causing a crack that moved quickly. The second time, we got a small ding from a rock. It did not cause the windshield to crack. However, I barely touched it with my fingertip and the ding turned into a crack that went halfway across our windshield. This last time, there was no apparent cause. We never heard anything hit the windshield, it just cracked. We have less than 29,000 miles on this car. I have never had a vehicle needing a windshield replaced this often if ever!!!!.

41 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 10/06/2022

My Outback has 22500 miles on it. The wind shield had not visible cracks or chips. I got to work on 10/06 and when I cam back to my car there was a large 2-3 foot crack starting in the black area around the glass. The crack there was large enough to fit a piece of paper into it. It appears to have just cracked and spread apart from strain or stress on the glass. The crack runs directly across my view as the driver. The windshield had always been loud and you could hear wind moving around it.

42 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2022

My windshield cracked for no apparent reason. I parked my car in my garage and left for a 6-week long vacation. When I returned, I noticed a small crack at the passenger side of the windshield which grew and has moved almost past midway horizontally. There are no impact sites or something else to suggest that something has happened to the windshield. I have contacted my insurance company which has suggested to change the windshield and is not covered. I came to the Subaru dealership to fix a recall that is currently ongoing. I have been told by the dealer's customer rep that it's over $1000 to fix. As I tried to shop around, I have come across multiple complaints online that other people are experiencing similar issues with cars similar to mine. Hence, I am filing this complaint.

43 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/12/2022

The windshield cracked without anything hitting the windshield. This is the fourth (4th) time this has happened to this vehicle. 3/6/21, 7/13/21, 12/6/21. And now, today, 9/12/22. The dealer has all the records. We need the support of your organization to help us deal with this. We can't fight this by ourselves. Please help us!.

44 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2022

For one, my windshield cracked out of nowhere, I didn’t know that windshields were having issues at the time, so I had to replace it on my own without contacting the dealership. Other issues include the front windows not going up all the way from time to time. The info system crashes and shuts down from time to time too, which leads to the eyesight to shutdown temporarily too. And from time to time, the hatch buttons lag where I have to push on the buttons multiple times to get it to close.

45 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/31/2022

Blind spot warning does not turn on when there is actually a vehicle truly in the blind spot. Visibility in new cars via windows is blocked and insufficient, and the blind spot warning does not activate at the right time. Drivers could easily cut someone off with less than a foot in front of the car in the blind spot, because there is no proper warning. Warning only turns on when vehicle could hit another car when switching lanes. Not before when visibility is limited by vehicle structure and mirrors. Also, touch screens are a huge hazard in cars. Having to look at a touch screen in order to control air or other items is a huge safety hazard. Tactile controls and buttons are much safer. Not to mention touch screens and screens do not work during heatwaves. Car sitting in temperatures above 80 degrees, have major issues with computer screens working. Forward collision and driver monitor warning is also a hazard. Forward collision warning occasionally turns on when there is fog or smoke. Additional warnings distract drivers from actually looking at the road. Driver monitor warning turns on when looking through turns, causing drivers to be distracted and look at why the vehicle is beeping at them instead of paying attention to where they are driving.

46 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/14/2022

We notice on the morning of 8/14 /2022 that our Subaru Outback 2020 had a substantial crack in the windshield . The car was parked overnight in the garage. We called the burlington Subaru dealer( as per advice from Subaru consumer line) the dealer spokesperson(erika) took our information and said a pre - approval person from the dealer ship will call us to discuss if the windshield would be covered under the warranty;3 years / 36000 miles. As the local dealer does not repair windshields ,all repairs are performed by a second party. We are awaiting a resolution from Subaru. In the meantime we would like to add our names to the complaints of many Subaru owners. Thanks , the kayser’s.

47 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/06/2022

Front windshield spontaneously cracked windshield on drivers side midway to 1/3 across windshield. Had not driven in 2 days. Sitting in driveway. Was excessively hot day (upper 90 degrees). No prior windshield (or car) issues. Awaiting repair guidance from dealer and insurance.

48 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/04/2022

My windshield cracked and I got it repaired on 7/7/22. The tech said it was a caused by a stress fracture. I got the windshield replaced and within a month on 8/4/22, I got another crack. I thought it must be an installation problem but safelite told me it was another stress fracture. That same week I got another crack in the windshield, said to be another stress fracture. It seemed strange to me that the windshield would crack that easily. . Read more...

49 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2022

Very small rock hit the windshield and bounced off creating an immediate 3 inch crack that grew to reach almost the other side of the windshield in the next 2 days. This is the second windshield that needed to be replaced in under 2 years. It definitely cracks easier than any other vehicles we have owned and considering the lawsuit for the Subaru glass being prone to this, it is not cool they continue without correcting the issue, especially considering the expense. It does count against you for insurance claims.

50 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2022

-the windshield has cracked in the same place for no apparent reason. -the cracked windshield can affect the use of the safety systems built into the windshield. -I'm not sure how this can be "reproduced" as we are talking about a broken windshield although the windshield has been fixed already once and now, the second break has occurred. -not inspected but replaced once. It is currently broken and can be inspected again if need be. -the first one appeared in August 2022, the second in may 2023.

51 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2022

Some kind of debris hit windshield on passenger side above bottom corner. The glass is not chipped, but the crack started developing quickly and reached to the middle of the windshield. The windshield itself was as new @12,000 miles only. It is noticeable that the crack is widened like the windshield glass is pulling itself apart. The crack is growing in length every day and following some random path. I visited the mile one dealership and stated the issue that windshield should not crack like this without glass being noticeable chipped and it's a major safety and quality concern. They refused to even look at and said I am on my own because Subaru does provide any warranty for their windshields.

52 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/27/2022

Windshield cracks third time to replace.

53 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2022

Windshield cracked without outside impact (e. G. , rock, debris). Retailer refusing to cover under warranty. Car was parked when the windshield cracked.

54 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/02/2022

The windshield started getting scratches & dings on it within 2 weeks of it being purchased for no apparent reason.

55 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2022

Apply getting in my car on June 20th I noticed a 8" crack starting at the edge of the windshield on the right side about a quarter of the way up from the bottom pfrom the bottom. This is since propagated significantly. The interesting thing is that I just replaced the windshield 4 months ago for a failure that was remarkably similar no associated rock strikethe crack starting at the right edge. This clearly suggests a design or manufacturing flaw. Note that the 1st one was repaired through the insurance company. . I'm taking it now to the dealer.

56 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2022

The car experienced an unexplained spontaneous front windshield crack. It started small on the drivers side near the wiper and has continued to spread. No foreign body or rock has hit the windshield. I took the vehicle to o'steen's Subaru in valdosta and they refused to repair it.

57 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2022

Windshield was cracked and spread across the windshield. I wasn’t aware that it was broken until my sister got in the car and asked me if I knew it was broken! I don’t know when it happened or the mileage.

58 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2022

The front windshield cracked in the lower middle section of the windshield. There was no apparent strike from an object while driving (the driver saw no objects strike and the sound did not sound like a typical object strike). The crack appeared suddenly and stretched about 2+ inches to the bottom of the windshield up approximately 2-3 more inches and then horizontal toward the middle of the windshield about 2 inches. Shortly after (within 1 hour) the crack extended another 2ish inches horizontal toward the middle of the windshield. The crakc shows a star like pattern, with six arms radiating off from the center with the two vertical arms on top and bottom extending out as described above. There is also no obvious chip from outside the windshield that would indicate an object strike.

59 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/23/2022

My windshield spontaneously cracked while driving through town and I feel I have a defective windshield. It started very small that evening, and the next morning it was cracked out in two different placed from that, I was not even able to contact the dealership in that timeframe as it occurred during after hours and had already cracked out before open business hours the next morning. When I contacted the dealership that day, I received no help, stating that my warranty does not cover cracks over "dollar bill size" even with my added "windshield protection" coverage. I have since read that this has been a known issue for several years as the windshields on these models are reportedly thinner than normal so that the "eyesight" technology can function appropriately, and it concerns me that this spontaneous cracking is a safety issue yet no recalls have been made. I am afraid to drive my car further as the crack enlarges day by day. I am still waiting to get this sorted out to get it replaced.

60 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/19/2022

Parked car windshield cracked for no reason.

61 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/09/2022

Cracked for no apparent reason on Monday 5/9/2022.

62 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/05/2022

The moon roof glass exploded and shattered while driving the car on a highway under the speed limit. The car is available for inspection though a repair has been initiated. Multiple pictures and a video were taken. If the inside shade cover had not been closed, shattered glass fragments would have cut the driver and passengers possibly impeding the driver’s vision and causing a crash. The problem shattered moon roof was confirmed by the dealer and a repair shop. No one would confirm what caused the moon roof glass to explode. The dealer’s service department and the repair shop inspected the problem. There was no warning. The glass just exploded with a very loud bang like a gun went off inside or near the care.

63 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2022

A crack developed in the windshield spontaneously with no outside forces causing it. It is available for inspection. This is the second time this has happened to this vehicle since we have purchased it. The windshield was replaced in may, 2021 because of the same issue. These spontaneous cracks can put our safety and the safety of others at risk by obscuring vision. This just happened (may 1, 2022) and it has not been inspected yet by a dealer or insurance representative.

64 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2022

Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Car was in garage. No impact to windshield observed.

65 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2022

Driving at speed on 75 s in dallas and noticed a line crawling up my windshield from the seal near the hood. Didn't hear anything hit the glass. The line keeps getting bigger. It will become harder to see and I fear the glass with shatter at some point. Just had the car inspected a few weeks previous.

66 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/31/2022

0n03/31/22 2 cracks were discovered in the windshield on the drivers dies of the vehicle. One was 9 inches in length the other was 12 inches in length. Both started at the base of the windshield and went upward. On 0330/22 the vehicle had been at the dealer for an IL change and overall inspection. No defects were found. Vehicle was housed in garage overnight. Cracks were found the next morning. No evidence anything had impacted the windshield overnight. Contacted insurance company for claim for replacement and recalibration of eye vision safety feature. There is a current lawsuit pending against Subaru for windshield cracks the covers this make,model and year.

67 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/27/2022

The front lights are extremely bright for other drivers on the road. It is so bad that I took it into the dealership/service department to get them checked out. I was told that there is no issue with the lights and other drivers are not use to the led lights being installed into newer vehicles. I can see three blocks in front of me as far up into the trees. I rarely drive at night, because I am constantly getting hi beamed by other drivers. I noticed on other public forums that it is an issue with the lights and other models as well.

68 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/19/2022

Unknown - noticed crack in windshield randomly over the weekend. No known damage to vehicle.

69 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/13/2022

The windshield cracked for no reason. I was driving around 50mph and didn’t notice anything hitting it.

70 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2022

While driving on the highway, there must have been some road debris that hit the windshield and caused a long crack to form on the right lower quadrant of the windshield. Due to the development of the crack, the integrity of the windshield is lowered in the event another foreign object strikes it. Searching Outback windshield crack on google or any other search engine will produce many reports in which other owners are experiencing the same issue. There is a subreddit titled Subaruoutback in which there are over 50 reports from other Outback owners experiencing crack development for the first time in all their years of driving. I will be getting my windshield replaced by safelite as to not place my passengers at risk. There have been previous lawsuits regarding Outback and legacy models regarding defective windshield, which have since settled, although the year models are from 2015-2016, it would be interesting if they continue to persist for newer models such as 2020, 2021, 2022 since there are still many complaints and cracked windshields being reported. In the event that investigation proves that there are still windshield defective issues, hopefully Subaru can be encouraged to further research and provide safe windshield replacements for all parties involved.


Other Visibility related problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback


Safety Ratings of Outback Cars
Fuel Economy of Outback Vehicles
Outback Service Bulletins
Outback Safety Recalls
Outback Defect Investigations