Following an engine-out service at an authorized dealer (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru), a primary powertrain mounting bolt was left unthreaded by approximately 1 inch, creating an undetected 8,000-mile safety hazard that resulted in extensive drivetrain and suspension component failures. Subsequently, during a diagnostic inspection at another authorized dealer (All American Subaru), heavy rusted metal pliers and loose cowl trim panels were abandoned unsecured inside the wiper cowl tray beneath the windshield, posing a severe roadway projectile and steering/wiper obstruction hazard.
Subaru Legacy wipers problems
49 of the 3,183 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 49
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20231
- 20211
- 20203
- 20191
- 20182
- 20173
- 20164
- 20154
- 20131
- 20122
- 20111
- 20101
- 20071
- 20062
- 200513
- 20022
- 20002
- 19962
- 19952
- 19921
Often reported together
Windshield crack 13Headlights 2Door locks 2Stalling 1Power windows 1Misfire 1Fire or smoke 1ABS 1
What owners say
Windshield spontaneously cracked at top. I came outside in the morning after a temperature fluctuation and there was a crack at the top with one piece of the glass sitting lower… it has since grown. I have been forced to drive with the crack as Subaru will do anything to not honor a warranty, ever. The eyesight I am learning is necessary for the vehicle to avoid front end collisions and to properly deploy the airbag. The crack started in November, it’s almost August, and I cannot get it replaced under the warranty I paid. I see many people have the same problem. You can even see where the windshield cracked where an iPass was mounted from a temperature change. The wipers also cannot keep up with moderate rain, causing rain blindness in moderate precipitation and the lightest rain will turn off the eyesight causing a malfunction that will not assist in avoiding a collision. In addition, I will be complaining with the CFTC for the warranty issues. I cannot even get records of my warranty or service. Example: window regulator was a problem off the log, and salesman used it as an example, service won’t repair. I regret buying a Subaru, they claim to be safe and reliable with great service, I am only having problems that affect the safe operation of the vehicle and I paid all this extra for full bumper to bumper and they tell me that it doesn’t exist. In addition, that vehicle claims to get close to 30mpg, I am being completely honest when I say I had about the same mileage in a 1995 Cadillac Deville, and the mileage I got in a 2009 BMW twin-turbo far exceeded the mpg. I tried to get it repaired today under warranty. I was yelled at that it was an impact, and I wish I knew… would have said, “is it more likely that I’m lying or the company that’s been successfully sued 4 times for this exact problem is at fault?” Perhaps there was a light impact in the months AFTER it broke parked in a unheated garage.
2020 Subaru Legacy Touring XT - Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. No stone or rock chips visible. Had same issue on previously owned 2015 Subaru Legacy. The crack starts at the base of the passenger side where heat strips are located to keep the wiper blades from freezing. The cracked windshield may cause the Subaru EyeSight safety system to malfunction, putting all passengers at risk for a potential accident. I had it inspected at a Subaru dealership. The service technician confirmed that this was a know problem. He suggested I call Subaru of America for assistance. I'm still within the 3 year warranty period but windshields are not covered. He said Subaru dealerships do not repair windshields. They will engage a 3rd party repair shop if needed. My vehicle is included in a pending class action lawsuit against Subaru for this issue. Safelite Autoglass estimated my windshield replacement at $1,035.00 (without insurance).
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that when she entered her vehicle, she noticed that there was a crack in the windshield down by windshield wiper on the driver's side. The contact stated that the crack had begun to expand up the windshield and stopped approximately 4 inches from the where the windshield joins the vehicle subframe. The contact stated that this was the second windshield she had installed. The contact stated that dealer told her the first replacement had been from road debris. The contact stated she never had no windshield strikes in the five weeks she had owned the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local glass shop where it was diagnosed and determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. May cause the Subaru EyeSight safety system to malfunction. Crack started at the bottom of passenger side windshield where the heat strips are located for wiper blades not to freeze.
Crack appeared starting from below the passenger windshield wiper on the windshield out of the blue, while sitting in driveway.
I was driving home from work when the windshield cracked from the bottom of the passenger side right by the windshield wiper and now has spiraled up
On january 7, 2020 at approximately 8am, I was driving my car which had been warmed up and driving for approximately 15-20 minutes when my windshield spontaneously cracked on the drivers side about 8 inches off center. There was no vehicle in front of me at the time and no visible or audible debris that could have struck the windshield. The crack was about 8 inches long and ran vertically up the windshield. Further inspection showed that the crack appears to have started below the windshield wiper where the glass meets the plastic, a location which would make it nearly impossible for any debris to make contact with the windshield. The crack has now spread to about 14 inches long and now running diagonally towards the passenger side. Weather was about 30 and sunny.
On a colder 20 degree morning, I started my 2018 subaru legacy to warm up. Within a few minutes and before driving away, my windshield spontaneously cracked at the bottom near the wiper blade / defrost vents. The crack starts on the bottom drivers side, comes up about 3 inches, then runs across about 18 inches towards the passengers side, and then back down again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the windshield was cracked near the windshield wiper. Carter subaru shoreline (17225 aurora ave n, seattle, wa 98133; (206) 542-1166) was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
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 wipers
Which Subaru Legacy years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (13 complaints), 2015 (4 complaints) and 2016 (4 complaints).
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