Wiper Problems of Subaru Outback - part 2

Windshield has a crack. There is no external force, neither accident happened.

See all problems of the 2022 Subaru Outback 🔎.

While driving normally on the highway, the sunroof glass exploded with no warning or previous signs of wear. After reviewing dash cam footage, determined that it was not caused by foreign object.

See all problems of the 2024 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Defective windshields: costly repair: I purchased this car when it was 9 months old with 7800 miles on it. I now have 30, 080 miles. And I have had to replace the windshield 3 times. I also had one a chip repaired. This means I have replaced the windshield every 7427. Miles. Once the crack has started the lane sensing and brake stopping programs are halted. This is a serious safety issue. This is beyond ridiculous for a new model car. There much be something wrong with the making of these windshields, or the material used to make these windshields. This is a costly repair, being that the windshield needs re-calibrating each time. It's been around $2500. 00 each time. The Subaru dealer I purchased the car from has been made aware, but they have no solutions, no discounts, or no other options. Other than empathy, and tell me many others are having the same problems.

Since owning this vehicle, we have replaced the windshield at least once a year. The first due to a 1/16th inch chip that evolved into a 10 inch crack over the course of a day. The second was a crack from driver side pillar that appeared overnight, no chips prior. Third was a 8" crack from passenger pillar that appeared overnight while garage parked, after a day, it grew to reach the center of the windshield. I think it's unacceptable that windshields can just crack overnight less than a year after install. It's beyond concerning knowing that our windshield could crack at anytime, or that superficial chips must be taken care of immediately or we run the risk of replacing the entire windshield.

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Front windshield cracked while vehicle was parked after a car wash. Crack started from the center bottom outside, from the base.

Windshield cracked without warning and with no impact. Crack rapidly propagated and sounded like glass was going to break on highway. Took to wagner Subaru dealer and they said this is typical and is not covered by recall or warranty.

Merging off the interstate at a speed of 75mph onto an off ramp at 7pm with 4 adults in the car and when I started braking the windshield cracked from the passages side a pillar in towards the center of the window approximately 7 inches. There were no other vehicles around us and no signs of a chip or previous damage that could have caused the break in the glass. The crack is halfway up/down the windshield and runs horizontal.

A crack in the windshield suddenly appeared with no apparent cause starting at the very upper edge about a third of the way across from the driver side and traveled about half way down and then turned to the right for about eight inches. It is available for inspection upon request. As of this date it has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. It has been reported to insurance representatives, but not inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Windshield cracked without any external impact. There was no crack when we parked the car in the evening, but the next morning there was a crack. There was no impact or visible reason that this should have happened.

Windshield cracks spontaneously.

I have 2020 Subaru Outback and have had 14 windshield replacements/repairs. The windshield has spider cracked out of nowhere and has been unable to take the smallest impact without cracking in multiple locations. I have submitted multiple complaints to Subaru and was informed the issue is unique to my vehicle, but the car has never been inspected by Subaru, regardless of countless requests to do so. All but one windshield replacement has been submitted through my insurance, Subaru has covered one replacement. The last time I spoke with a Subaru representative I was informed it was not Subarus issue. No one was hurt during any windshield incidents but the quality and safety of the windshield is dangerous. Subaru has refused to thoroughly inspect my windshield and the safety of my vehicle.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback 🔎.

After doing grocery shopping, I returned to the vehicle, loaded my purchases, and upon getting into the driver's seat, noticed a large "y" shaped crack in the windshield. The crack wasn't there when I arrived at the store. I've owned the vehicle less than a week, bought it used with less than 14k miles on it.

My windshield was replaced on [xxx] for a spontaneous crack occurring behind the review mirror and where the eyesight is located. The crack was very long and serpentine-like. There was no history of "rock" damage. On [xxx] , 6,807 miles on city street driving early in the morning, another crack in the replacement windshield occurred spontaneously. I took the car to one Subaru of hayward and they wanted $250 to tell me the window was cracked. Their first response was it is a result of a rock. This is the exact location and pattern of breakage as the window was replaced in [xxx]. I have 3 Subaru Outbacks, and my daughter's 2015 broke in the exact location twice. My daughter's car was in the garage for two weeks while on vacation. Her VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The windshield cracked from bottom of passenger side to the center of glass for no reasons, while the car was fully stopped, without any external impact. There were no harms caused to passengers, but it is concerning because the windshield could crack anytime without external impact. This didn't get recognized by dealership as a defect, they claim it was due to external impact. Yes, dealership has inspected the vehicle. No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

We are on our 3rd broken windshield in 3 years. We do not drive the car very often or drive any extreme ways. This is more broken windshields than I have had in my whole life in just a few years having this car. There must be something wrong with the way it’s made.

Driving home on a farm road, a truck passed by, picking up a pebble that hit my windshield. On my other vehicles, that same impact would leave a chip on the windshield but due to its light thickness, it immediately formed a long crack that is continually growing in size as it is currently my daily commuter to work. That was a huge bummer given I had purchased it recently and it didn't have any blemishes on the windshield. The pebble hit the upper driver side part which led the crack to form out toward the roof and is going diagonal to the passenger side below the visor.

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. 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.

See all problems of the 2023 Subaru Outback 🔎.

This is a safety issue regarding the durability of windshields. I have had 2 incidents now with my 2020 Subaru Outback having a cracked windshield. Both times it came on suddenly with at least a foot long crack or more the first time and an 18 inch crack the second time just recently. I reported the incident to the service manager this time and he put me in touch with customer advocacy at Subaru who is waiting for a report from the diagnosis on Monday, July 22. The first crack was in March 2024. Prior to the crack happening, I noticed a drip of dried substance running down the inside of my windshield from the top of the windshield. I thought it must be sealant and was going to contact Subaru. However, without warning, I pulled out of my garage one morning to find a crack across the driver side of the windshield at least a foot or longer. There had been no incident of any rock hitting my windshield that I noticed and there was no damage to the paint on frame close to where the crack started which was on the outer edge of the windshield. The crack grew larger and crossed over the driver's visibility. I asked if there had been a recall since I thought this was odd and spontaneous but there was none. The service repair person said if a rock chip occurs in the defroster area in the perimeter of the windshield, the windshield will sustain a long crack. So I believed that something like that must have happened in my lack of knowledge of prior issues with Subaru windshields. I had a $1000 deductible on my insurance and the repair was over that. Subaru refused to negotiate with state farm to reduce the price so I paid the entire amount out of pocket. The second crack occurred while I was driving in the rain. I turned off my wipers to find an 18 inch long crack on the passenger side of the windshield starting at outer edge of glass. No incident of a rock chip, no damage to paint on frame.

I am on my 4th windshield on a 2020 Subaru Outback.

Severe windshield cracking requiring replacement. 2 in 6 month period. 1st was November 2023. Extremely cold temperatures. Cracked directly above heater vents on both sides same time. I watched it go from outer lower edges and move all the way to the center, entire length of the shield. I did not see anything hit the windshield, but they were iced and snow covered. I felt the temperature difference outside compared to in the cabin may have caused the crack. 2nd occurred July 12 2024. Extreme heat ( 100 plus) air-conditioning blasting cold air. Low traffic, at least 4 car lengths between mine and the car ahead. I did not see any debris. I did hear a noise, and then watched the windshield crack from the same location (lower outside edge) this time only the passenger side. The crack started approximately 6 inches. The following morning that crack had moved past midway of the windshield. This is not normal for any other vehicle I have driven. I have been driving 45 years. I have had a rock hit the windshield, some large rocks. In only one case I suffered a chip that was fixed with resin. There is a problem (safety) with this windshield. Installation, glass, design flaw?? I don't know the cause, but it is hazardous. The dealer's mechanic that replaced the 1st one told me "it is a known issue for my model" someone needs to address and correct an issue that is known which could be catastrophic. I was driving 35 mph in November incident, and 70 mph in July. I can provide documentation 1st replacement. I did not take pictures of that one. I can provide photos of 2nd one. I have not done 2nd replacement. I may just trade it out. That is how concerning this issue is to me.

Windshield cracked unexpectedly.

I was driving to work and a car kicked up a small rock that struck the lower left portion of my windshield. There was no chip created at the time. Several minutes later, I heard an audible pop and 4 - 6 inch long crack appeared in the same area. Within minutes, the crack traveled across the windshield and extended about one foot further. Within a few days, the crack extended to the middle of the windshield and traveled upwards towards the attachment point for the rear view mirror. It's long enough now where I'm worried about it interfering with eyesight. When I examined the area where the stone impacted, I can see several very small pits where the rock hit, but each pit is probably no larger than 1/64th of an inch in diameter. Given the behavior of the crack and reports I've heard from others, I suspect that the glass is too thin and under stress the way it's mounted to the car. This fault has been reported over and over on social media and has cost owners many thousands of dollars to correct.

In the 5 whole days of ownership, our windshield chipped pretty easily from a small rock kicked up by another vehicle on the freeway. I’ve had a number of rocks and other things hit the windshield of plenty other cars I’ve had or have driven and non of them have ever chipped or cracked. We barely heard a pop, but all of a sudden a crack appeared. This event happed going maybe 50 mph at the most and caused great alarm for my wife who was driving. We were worried she would lose control of the vehicle. The outside temperature was 114 degrees, maybe that had something to do with it. Either way, we’re worried the crack will quickly expand on our way home to the bay area from san diego. My neighbor and friends hav the same vehicle and mentioned having to replace their windshields multiple times from cracks. They all mention they have models with eyesight technology.

Second windshield cracked with no impact. This I’d the second time within a year that this has happened to me. Like last time the crack isn’t on the outermost layer, and if you run your finger along the crack it feels completely smooth. This is quite frankly unacceptable with how expensive these windshields are to replace.

Media screen failure. Is available for inspection. Safety of pedestrians or other accident at risk because the screen is useless in bright sunlight. Planning to complain to dealer. No warning signal or alert when backing up when screen is unreadable. This has caused accidents x 3 for my family. Backed into another car with no warning.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Windshield glass broke spontaneously and randomly with no impact associated with the crack. The crack extends all the way across the windshield.

Windshield cracked on vehicle, this is the 2nd incident and second full windshield replacement in 2 years, noth oem.

I was traveling on highway 97 in oregon and encountered a stretch of highway that had been recently graveled. I slowed down and was immediately passed by a long string of 18 wheeled trucks. By the time the string of trucks passed I had three separate chips in my windshield. The windshield should not break nearly so easy. The gravel used to resurface roads is very small and should never have caused that much damage. I believe the windshield in my Subaru Outback is far too flimsy and should be considered a material defect. They should be recalled and replaced with a more substantial windshield.

Went out to driveway and started car. Heard a ping. A few minutes later the windshield started to crack from drivers side bottom corner upward across the field of vision. At first it was about a foot long but spread to about 3 feet. No sign of impact.

I now have a second windshield that suddenly cracked. I was told that Subaru oem windshield was installed and their is a Subaru icon on the glass. The first time was when a defrost was turned on. I heard a pop and crack quickly appeared. Crack started on the outside edge about half way up on the passenger side. Within seconds the crack was half way across to the other side. The most recent it was after a hot day on the previous day the next morning open the garage and immediately saw multiple cracks starting from the drivers side this time, about half way up then running almost half across the other side. Both times I had only had the windshield a few months. I took it back to the windshield installer and they are going to replace it because it isn't due to damage to the windshield like a chip. They told me that they are putting Subaru oem windshields on right now because they have had to replace 20 recently for the same issue. They just suddenly crack no damage. They said there is a lawsuit. I asked the dealership and they told me that haven't heard any issues with windshields. I just wanted to let you know. It is pretty scary and expensive to have the windshield suddenly crack and it is pretty deep. I'm going to take a picture since my Subaru dealership wouldn't record the issue for me.

Travelling on I-95 southbound at approx. 70 mph in the right lane at least 8-10 car lengths behind another vehicle in front of me. Clear skies, f, calm weather. I heard a loud, sudden noise followed by wind and what sounded like glass on my roof, thought it was fireworks or a gunshot. Pulled over to make sure my dogs are ok (all good, just spooked!) and see what happened to the car when I observed a large hole and continued cracking noise in the sunroof - glass was pushed outwards/ convex rather than concave as if an object had struck the glass from above or in front of my vehicle. Notified insurance then carefully drove home the remaining 20 or so miles, called dealership and started researching the issue. There are nearly 40 reports of spontaneous sunroof explosions on NHTSA website for Subaru Outbacks. Dealing with Subaru corporate and a local dealership for repairs.

My Subaru Outback windshield seems to use low quality glass or have poor windshield mount/frame design. Since purchasing the car new in April 2022, I have had 3 significantly cracked windshields; all of which propagated immediately after getting hit by a pebble mid-drive (not giving any opportunity to fix the chip). I am filing this complaint because I don’t think it should be standard for a windshield to propagate a crack so easily and consistently every time it gets chipped (this seems statistically improbable compared to other cars) - and it’s a legitimate hazard to visibility if I don’t have ample opportunity to get the chip repaired to prevent it from propagating to a crack. Essentially I’m saying that it’s almost guaranteed that getting a chip will result in a foot long crack during the same drive (I say almost because I have been able to repair a chip before it was too late once). Furthermore, the crack will often double in size over night (presumably due to temperature changes) - which leads me to speculate that the windshield glass accumulated internal stresses during install due to poor design. I have only replaced my windshield through official Subaru dealerships with their recommended glass vendor. I’ve attached two photos from my most recent cracked windshield; the first is the crack that propagated immediately after the pebble hit while driving, and the second is after leaving the car overnight stationary. Also note that this is usually at highway speeds; and I have effectively had 1. 5 broken windshields per year of driving the car. The first broken windshield happened at ~200 miles driven on the brand new car (5 days in).

Windshield cracked under heat from parking in sun. The windshield spontaneously cracked when wiper fluid was turned on after parking on hot (85f) day. The whole windshield spidered indicating it is under extreme stress.

The windshield of my Outback Subaru 2019 has cracked two times since I purchased the vehicle. Not caused by propelled items, accidents or vandalism, instead, these cracks originated from the center bottom part of the windshield suddenly and spread upwards.

The windshield developed a crack. It initially started with what appeared to be a small rock impacting the bottom of the windshield where the wipers rest on the glass. The area of impact was the size of a small rock. A crack started forming and going upwards towards the roof of the car. Due to the heat in alabama, the crack grew from 3 inches to approximately 9 inches. No safety features have been effected. I do commute 160 miles total for work, daily, so a crack that large necessarily creates a dangerous driving situation.