2020 Subaru Outback VISIBILITY/WIPER

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

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.

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

Windshield Cracked on vehicle, this is the 2nd incident and second full windshield replacement In 2 years, noth OEM.

Windshield developed crack without impact. Crack runs from the bottom of windshield in front of steering wheel up to the middle of the windshield, impairing visibility. This is the fourth failed windshield on this vehicle within 4 years and 60,000 miles. Average lifespan of windshield on this car is less than 12 months. Previous windshields cracked with minor hits from pebbles at highway speeds. Windshield has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, but is available for inspection.

Have had to replace front windshield 4 times in less than two (2) years due to windshield being cracked by small debris from other vehicles passing by. These have been very minor rocks that have hit the windshield with three of the times it occurred at less than 40 mph. One occurred when I was driving in a residential area at 20 mph. One event occurred spontaneously overnight with the car sitting inside an enclosed garage. Took a picture of the latest event. Concerned that if the window cracks that easy, what would happen if I am in an accident. Subaru is aware of the problem. Windshields have not been inspected by others. No warning lamps, messages, et cetera are related to these events. Review of web comments reveal that it is not an isolated event. Seems to be a design issue and how their Eyesight system affects the windshield design.

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.

On 2/20, a crack appeared across the drivers side of my windshield while my car was parked. The crack is approximately 15" long extending from the lower side of the windshield, curving up toward the middle of the windshield. The crack is significant enough that it will require replacement.

Heated windshield area where the windshield wipers are shorted out and caused the windshield to crack

The windshield is ridiculously susceptible to cracks. I’m on my third windshield in 4 years. I had the windshield last replaced in October and had a new crack within a month. I didn’t even notice anything hitting the windshield with this last crack.

I am replacing 3rd windshield since September 2022. This was definitely caused by a rock chip but had been resin repaired. With defroster blowing on a cool morning the windshield cracked across the lower portion. The replacement windshield cracked for no reason other than it was cold during a December night and was replaced in April. That windshield cracked spontaneously while driving in the rain one month after install. A Subaru dealer took photos or I have sent photos to them of all incidents for submission to my Subaru insurance. I have now met the maximum allowed for windshield replacement. All windshields were replaced at an authorized Subaru dealer.

On Friday February 10, 2023 I came out of work and saw a 12 inch crack in my front windshield. When I left for work there wasn’t any crack. There is a very small pit in the windshield how or when it happened I do not know. February 11, 2023 the crack is now about 20 inches. I can’t believe how fast it is cracking.

24000 miles, parked in covered garage for three days. on the fourth day I noticed a crack in the passenger side window. I had read YEARS AGO about a windshield problem. I did some internet research and read about many who had similar experiences and multiple experiences of the same problem. I was told it is out of warranty coverage. I will take it to a Subaru dealership to have it evaluated. If it is not covered, I will have to pay my deductible and I did nothing to cause the problem. I hope you can look into this problem

When in reverse, the view behind the vehicle when using the rear camera display is poor when there is a shadow behind the vehicle making it difficult to see a person, especially a child. The rear view camera in my 2016 subaru Outback did not have this problem with shadows.

The windshield has developed a crack spontaneously and is spreading across the entire windshield. It started near the bottom of the window near the wipers and moving it's way up towards the top and spidered out towards the driver's side now. It continues to grow while I wait for an appointment to get it replaced.

On May 3, 2023 (~12:30pm local time) I was driving on the highway at approximately 60mph and there was a 'pop' sound. I looked at my windshield and an L-shaped crack appeared from the base of the windshield near the wipers up to half-way on the windshield. There was no damage to the windshield to indicate a rock had hit it or the car in any way. Given the poor quality OEM windshields that Subaru has installed in past models (2015-2016) that also have had this problem, I would like to notify the NHTSA so that Subaru can be notified. When I called my dealer directly, there was not much help on the cause.

Received a couple of rock chips on the windshield while driving on the highway. Two days later, two large cracks appeared (one on the driver’s side, one on the passenger side). Both cracks are longer than six inches.

Windshield spotaneous cracking: Going to work in the morning, absolutely nothing wrong 8:05-8:15am .parked car in parking lot. industrial warehouse. No people traffic, clear weather 30-45 degrees. Then as soon as i get in the car for my break. 11:15-11:30. I notice a very long crack that appears to originate UNDERNEATH the plastic window trim at the base of the windshield. Multiple pictures and videos have been taken. ABSOLUTELY no impacts of anything. I come to discover shortly after researching THERE is a lawsuit on the this outback windshield for random large cracks. NEED recall!

I'm currently on my third windshield for this vehicle. The first windshield was replaced by Subaru due to a random crack that developed on the passenger side and traveled to the driver side. No visible damage caused this to occur. The second windshield was hit by a tiny stone driving down city streets. 3 days later the same type of crack, like the first windshield, developed and moved from from passenger to driver side. We'll see how long this third windshield lasts. I've had numerous cars without this problem. Stone chips were easily repaired without major cracking occurring. There is something very odd about how fragile the windshields on Subaru vehicles are. This is not a cheap replacement due to their driver assist technology. Subaru will not replace this once they see and sign of a stone impact.

Purchased my 2020 Outback only about two months ago. Just this last week two separate cracks started from the edge of the window on the left and lower sides. Cracks appeared out of nowhere while parked with no contact from rocks or other debris. Over the course of the last few days has spread so much that it obstructs my vision while driving. This is a common problem with this model and is a safety hazard that needs to be recalled/fixed. Have an appointment with my dealer to see if this qualifies as a manufacturer defect. However the fact is this will most likely happen again if it’s the same glass being used.

While driving in light rain, with no visible strike, a crack appeared on the passenger side windshield; starting below the wiper and extending upwards in an arc towards the center. This is the 3rd time a crack of significance has appeared. Coincidentally, this crack appeared less than 2 weeks after having the windshield replaced by a Subaru dealership.

On March 2, 2023, I discovered a big crack in my windshield. The crack was not there in the morning. The crack was discovered at 2pm that afternoon. The crack started under the lower windshield trim and part way up windshield on the passenger side. The crack has a raise when you run your fingertip over it. The windshield was not struck by a rock. The crack randomly appeared while sitting in the parking lot at my work.

Windshield developed excessive pitting at 16,500 miles with little highway driving. When driving into any light source there are thousands of tiny pits that light up across the entire windshield. Needed to get it replaced because of the distraction.

A crack appeared on the front windshield. The crack starts at the side of the window. The crack has tripled in size in one day.