MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11 months later [FEB 2025] in similar fashion, randomly one day.
Subaru Legacy windshield crack problems
192 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe windshield cracks, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 192
- worst model year
- 2020
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 12,663
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 13Power windows 1Lane assist 1Screen failure 1Backup camera 1Airbag light 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
Accorn fell on windshield. At 14,000 miles windshield cracked. Was driving approximately 35MPH
I have the touring model with defrosters under the windshield. This is the second time I have had my windshield cracked vertically in a year. Both scenarios include a cold snap to about 20 degrees. First one broke in the parking lot after warming up the car (windshield heat and defrosters on) This time was a similar case. Warmed up my car, started driving, and two min later heard a pop and saw the windshield split at the same spot,(windshield defroster element). So basically when it gets cold I can’t use advertised features without causing damage to my car.
ODS sensor recall still not fixed/remedy available, used heat for first time since i purchased the car, minor cracks in the windshield, car radio/monitors randomly go black, reverse camera won’t work, restarts on there own after a while
In April 2024 a small rock hit my windshield and it immediately cracked. I’ve had rocks hit the windshield on other vehicles but usually nothing is visible or worse case it was a chip. The 3-4 inch crack grew to over a foot by the next day. I had it repaired at Safelite and had to pay the $500 deductible. The cost was even greater due to the need to recalibrate the safety cameras. My son just had a similar experience yesterday with his 2021 Subaru Legacy. From researching this, it appears this is a too common occurrence with Subarus.
My windshield cracked when I wasn’t even driving, it cracked all the way up almost to the top of the windshield. I have heard of other Subaru owners having this same issue with the windshield cracking easily. This should not have cracked like this. It is cheaply made obviously and unsafe.
Front Windshield cracks easily. Vehicle is only 7 months old and the front windshield has been cracked four separate times due to small rock impact. I just had the windshield replaced with a new Subaru OEM front windshield and three days later it was hit by a small pebble and cracked again.
On 3/1/24, I had my original windshield replaced with Subaru dealership due to a crack. I paid out of pocket. On 4/21/24, the windshield cracked again for no reason. I don't recall anything hitting it. I took it to the Subaru dealership on 4/22/24, and they took no responsibility even though it was still under warranty. They claimed it was due to something hitting the windshield, but they did replace it for free because we were "loyal customers". On 4/30/24, it developed a substantial crack again. I remember some small pebble hitting the windshield but not hard enough to cause it to crack. I was DONE with Subaru so I took it to Safelite to get it replaced on 5/10/24. Again paying out of pocket. This is my third windshield replacement in less than two months. I feel that the Subaru brand windshield is defective. It cracks easily for no reason. I've never had this happen so frequently with any of my other cars I've owned.
I have had two spontaneous window cracks within 6 to 9 months apart. I had a full windshield replacement and the windshield has just cracked again. The second incident, the vehicle was parked overnight so it wasn't caused by a rock or from following a car.
Vehicles windshield appears to be defective. Small rock hit windshield I. 2/18, got replaced immediately after for around 1000 dollars. Not even three weeks later on 3/14 a semi kick up a rock and my windshield has a crack that can not be patched up, it has to be repaired. I went immediately to Safelite after second rock hit and it had spread so much that it had to be replaced.
Related recalls
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Risk
- Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Recall number 18V935000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
- Risk
- If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V‑469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Recall number 16V694000 · Recall details
Visibility/wiper
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
- Risk
- If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 13V078000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
- Risk
- The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 13V077000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from august 3, 2010, through july 1, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
- Risk
- The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 11V467000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- The defroster lever pin of the defroster shutter door may become dislocated and allow the shutter to close, preventing defroster from functioning.
- Risk
- Non-functioning defroster would adversely affect drivervisibility.
- Remedy
- Install a positioning stopper device to prevent dislocation of defroster lever pin to assure defroster operation.
Recall number 90V110000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy windshield crack
Which Subaru Legacy years have windshield cracks problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (48 complaints), 2019 (32 complaints) and 2015 (28 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix windshield cracks on the Subaru Legacy?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Subaru Legacy?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history