Wiper Problems of Subaru Outback - part 1

I have an 2022 Outback that has 29000 miles and have had 2 windshield replacements. And now on my third, from rock chips. I bought the extended warranty and they are denying my claim. I can’t imagine what the lifetime costs will be for this vehicle. They have offered an extended warranty because of the problem and are not honoring that either.

See all problems of the 2022 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I bought my car in 2023 and it has less than 30,000 miles on it. Since purchase, I have had to replace the windshield three times for massive cracks. Insurance does not cover the full cost. Nothing has hit the windshield as far as I know, but it keeps cracking. I have never had this issue with any other car.

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, I received a warning that my eyesight was disabled in the middle of driving. This meant that I was unable to utilize cruise control or any driver assistance functions. The weather was clear, sunny, and there was nothing obstructing the eyesight cameras, nor were there any cracks in the windshield. The following day, Monday, July 14, eyesight worked normally in the morning, but was disabled in the afternoon. Again, the cameras were clear of any obstructions and no cracks were visible on the windshield. Cruise control and driver assistance features were unavailable. On the morning of Tuesday, July 15, I came out to a 7-8 inch crack in the windshield, on the passenger side. No impact had occurred to cause this crack and it was not present the previous days. Eyesight is still disabled due to this and the windshield needs a full replacement. All driver assistance/collision prevention features are not available until the windshield is replaced and a recalibration is completed. Advantage auto glass of rockford, IL will be inspecting the glass and can make it available for NHTSA evaluation. However, given that I have owned two Subaru Outbacks now, windshield weakness has been an issue with this vehicle, especially in warmer weather.

See all problems of the 2024 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Windshield requires replacement with slightest rock hit to it- (2) replacements in first six months of car ownership.

This is the third time my windshield has cracked in the last three years.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I was outraged that my 2022 Subaru Outback on July 4, 2025 while the vehicle was parked and stationary in a secured garage, I discovered a significant crack across the windshield. There was no evidence of external impact or vandalism, indicating a likely **manufacturing defect or structural flaw** in the glass. This defect raises serious safety concerns and falls within Subaru’s responsibility under the vehicle’s warranty and applicable consumer protection laws.

The front windshield spontaneously cracked during use of windshield wipers. Resulted in multiple cracks from top center of windshield.

My windshield (which has had multiple class action lawsuits) cracked spontaneously sitting in my driveway. I contacted Subaru of America and they denied any responsibility and claimed there is no assistance they can provide. This crack has gone from about half of my windshield to nearly the entire windshield horizontally. This is clearly a defective product as numerous complaints have been made by owners of multiple Subaru models including the Outback. This is indeed a huge safety concern along with a very unfortunate lack of accountability by Subaru of America.

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Sunroof's glass panel exploded/shattered unexpectedly due to unknown cause(s)/reason(s) while driving vehicle. No external item(s) contacted sunroof glass panel.

My windshield just cracked by itself without hitting anything. This is really frustrating.

I am on my third windshield in les than a year. The tiniest pebble will crack the windshield, or sudden changes to weather has now caused a stress crack. Seems to be poor weight distribution on the design. There is extensive customer complaints on line with the same issue. Insurance will only cover two a year. There were no warnings of this issue when the car was purchased. This is an expensive hazard to keep having issues with. They need to do a recall on a fix.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Small rocks cause very large cracks across windshield. Windshield seems brittle or fragile.

On April 14, 2025, I experienced my fourth windshield break- others- 2 that were 3 months apart in 2023 and another in 2024. I do not know how this most recent crack occurred as I noticed it when I went to drive my car, which was parked inside my garage. I had driven 2 places earlier in the day with no signs of a crack and there were no noted strikes to the windshield during that time. I did ride on a highway the day prior, but did not hear any strikes to the windshield. The prior incidences I did hear something hit the windshield. I have been a car owner for decades and this is the first car I have ever had with any windshield crack. This complaint seems typical for this vehicle as many of the same issues were recently included in a class action lawsuit regarding a defect in the glass. Wile the 2019 model was not included for some reason, many NHTSA complaints from people with this model were included in this lawsuit so I certainly hope that NHTSA will seriously look into why these are a common occurrence for this vehicle.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Ongoing problem with Subaru. Spontaneous windshield crack. 74 degrees, parked in shade, no chips. Came out and has the crack completely across windshield just above drivers eyeline. This is has happened to many Subaru owners and Subaru does nothing. Now I want safelite to do repair, but Subaru will not honor any work involving eyesight navigation unless it is Subaru glass,.

Noticed a huge crack in my windshield this morning before leaving for work. Definitely some sort of stress fracture. Not from any kind of impact or rock chip. It was not there yesterday. This is a huge safety issue due to the suddenness and size of the crack right down the center of the windshield and then branching off to both the driver side view and the passenger side. Difficult to see while driving to work and very worried that the crack will continue to expand. I’m contacting the dealership where I purchased the car in June of 2024.

On my second windshield repair, windshield is highly sensitive and prone to cracks and chips, unbelievable / unacceptable for a new car. I’ve drove a Acura mdx 2006 previous to driving a Subaru Outback 2025 and not once have I ever had a windshield be so prone to cracks / chips.

Windshield was struck by a small stone. There was no immediate damage but over a period of several weeks 5 cracks appeared traversing the windshield top to bottom.

See all problems of the 2023 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. This is my second windshield replacement in two years. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue.

Weather conditions •temperature: 40°f •precipitation: light rain road conditions: •location: interstate 79 south, pittsburgh, PA •road type: interstate highway •road quality: normal, no visible deficiencies vehicle speed: •approximately 65 mph vehicle occupants: •driver (adult) •2 child passengers description of damage: •27-inch crack across the windshield, extending into the driver’s primary field of vision summary: while driving southbound on interstate 79 near pittsburgh, PA, at approximately 65 mph in light rain and a temperature of 40°f, defroster on , I heard a sudden, loud cracking noise from the windshield. Upon pulling over to inspect, I observed a crack approximately 27 inches long, originating at the base of the windshield and extending upward into my direct line of sight. I marked the crack to monitor its progression and continued the trip with caution. Damage details and observations: •the crack originates from the lower edge (root) of the windshield. •the crack changes direction as it extends and intersects with a small surface chip. •the chip measures approximately 0. 039 inches (1mm) in diameter and 0. 0018 inches (0. 1mm) in depth. •the chip is located below the hood line and directly behind the windshield wiper bracket, in an area not easily visible during standard inspections. Vehicle information: Subaru Outback wilderness edition which is marketed and designed with enhanced off-road capabilities relative to the standard Outback model. Concerns: based on the location, characteristics, and progression of the crack, I have strong doubts that this damage was caused solely by a foreign object impact (fod). Furthermore, even if fod was a contributing factor, the small size and isolated position of the chip — in an area shielded by the wiper bracket — raises serious concerns about the structural integrity of the windshield itself. The extent and propagation of the crack appear disproportionate to the damage.

2022 Subaru Outback with 22, 000 miles. Car had been in my garage overnight. I drove to our local recreation center on the morning of February 18, ambient temperature in mid-30's. I came out 1. 5 hours later and discovered a large crack had spontaneously formed in the windshield (passenger side, extends to very edge, no visible causative chip).

I have owned the car for one year. In that time, three repairs have been made to the windshield including one full windshield replacement that was completed today (Feb 15, 2024). The oem windshield has a clear tendency to break/crack under typical road conditions. The incident requiring replacement involved a 12 inch crack appearing during driving. It may have been caused by minor road debris; however three repairs in 1 year is indicative of poor quality glass that endangers drivers through increased incidence of cracking/reduced visibility. I have never had cracks to this extent on any other vehicle owned.

Spontaneous sunroof glass explosion.

The vehicle’s windshield developed a 8-10 inch crack due to most likely temperature changes. Seems like a known issue for this year/model vehicle.

Stress crack on lower passenger side front windshield. The vehicle was parked with defroster on in cold weather to warm vehicle. Cracked on lower passenger side right above defroster. I was not driving vehicle when crack occurred. This was a spontaneous crack on front windshield. I have appointment at dealer to have the windshield inspected for a warranty repair because this should be covered with bumper to bumper Subaru warranty. The vehicle is a 2024 Subaru Outback with 8000 miles. This should not be happending on a brand new vehicle.

Front windshield glass developed spontaneous crack. Originating on the drivers side approximately 8 inches up from the bottom drivers side of the glass. Initially the crack was about 5 inches in length horizontal but quickly developed to be 12. 5 inches over 24 hours in a garage. Glass is available for inspection. There is no discernible impact point and crack seems to be spontaneous. An appointment at the dealership for assessment was booked and rescheduled pending extended warranty.

Small chip / crack in windshield on driver side view.

Replaced windshield at dealer using factory glass on 8/7/24. Daughter came out of apartment on approximately the 18th of December and the windshield had a horizontal crack from side to side. She did not have anything hit the windshield and there were not dings or stars in it. It appears to be a stress crack from either a defective install or glass.

I was driving on the interstate, with no cars around me and I heard the windshield crack, the crack went from 3 inches to about 30 inches. There is no reason why this would have happened other than a defective windshield.

I was driving when I heard a loud explosion sound. I first thought a rock or gunshot hit my car and pulled over to examine my car. I checked all around the car and didn't notice any damage on the side of my car but then I noticed that my sunroof was shattered. The glass was pushed outward which meant that it was not hit by an object. Luckily, my interior cover to my sunroof was closed at the time so I was not harmed.

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Outback 🔎.

In November we used the car for a road trip and returned to our home in snellville, GA on [xxx] parked the car, unloaded the contents, and put the sunshade in the windshield as we always do. The next day (xxx), I opened the car and removed a few small items used during the trip and walked around the car inspecting the exterior of the car for anything that may have changed due to this trip. At this time, I noticed a crack in the windshield that was not there the evening before. I had driven the car the entire trip and there was no time when something could have struck the windshield and precipitated this crack. I have been in a vehicle when a rock from the road has been kicked up by a vehicle ahead of me and struck the windshield. This type of impact can clearly be heard by passengers in the front seat, as it makes a considerable sound when striking the glass (similar to the sound of a small caliber weapon being fired). These is no indication on the exterior of the glass that this or any other external influence damaged and caused this windshield to crack. As I stated earlier, this windshield was not cracked when we exited the car the evening before. It is plainly visible when sitting in either of the front passenger seats and we would have noticed this. In my view this defect could have only been caused by mechanical stress between the mounting surface and windshield sometime between our arrival home and when this was first noted by us the next day. We have requested a replacement windshield under warranty. Subaru of America has denied our request, with the following statement: "not a matter for warranty, outside influence" we are aware that this vehicle is included in a class action lawsuit at the web site below. This crack is a safety issue and appears to be a defect based on information in the lawsuit. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Windshield cracked from a rock chip. Within 1 day, the crack had expanded to 12 inches across the windshield.

I purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback in July 2024 brand new. With less than 1,500 miles, I noticed an unexplained crack in the windshield one morning. The crack originated from the bottom with no visible impact and quickly spread. I wasn't event driving it and had not been driving it. Within a week, another crack appeared in an entirely different location, again with no sign of impact. When I initially brought this to Subaru’s attention, I was told it was due to a small chip from impact. However, I strongly disagree, as there was no such impact. Since that visit, four additional windshield cracks have formed, all originating from the bottom of the windshield, and none show any signs of external impact. I will be taking it back to Subaru for a fair resolution. There have been over 3,000 comments on just this issue with the NHTSA for Subaru Outback years 2022 through 2024.

Have second deep crack with light rock impact in less than one year.

Problem component: exterior mirror on driver side it was raining, I was driving, I heard what sounded like a loud explosion by my driver side window. After the initial shock, I thought a tire had blown out, but car drove ok and no tire warning light came on. It was a rural road with no shoulder, only deep stormwater ditch along the roadside, so there was no place to safely pull over in traffic to assess what may have happened. I drove about 2-3 miles before I could pull over at a safe spot. There I saw that the back side of my driver side mirror had completely disappeared. Wires were exposed. It appeared to have exploded off for no apparent reason. The body of the car was completely fine, the white exterior paint of the car was perfect, the actual housing of the mirror showed no marks, there are no dings or cracks in windows. No sign of any debris hitting the car. I reported it to Subaru general headquarters, and gave them all the info. I have an appt with local Subaru dealer this week. The mirror and housing are still on the car, minus the back, which is gone. My husband returned to the scene a few minutes later and searched for the piece that had propelled off the mirror or for any debris that could have caused the mirror to explode. There was nothing on the road, so wherever the back of the mirror went, it must have propelled far off the road. Safety issue: because an explosion like that nearly caused me to lose control of the car. And the piece that propelled off the mirror could have hit another car. Additional info. At the time of mirror exploding: my windshield wipers were on, it was a warm day so my air-conditioning was on, good chance my front dehumidifier was on. Car is equipped with heated mirrors, but heat was off.

I have had to replace the windshield three times in this vehicle since purchasing it. I've had it repaired one other time. The most recent incident was this past week when I came out of work and found a large crack near the eyesight/rear view mirror area for no apparent reason.