2015 Subaru Outback: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 21, 2021 · OH

Windshield randomly cracked on its own. Similar issue as other have reported in past. Begins on passenger side in wiper park near heated zone and continues up across windshield for 12 inches or so. Car was parked, nothing hit the windshield.

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Visibility · 18,100 miles · IL

Car developed a 20" crack in the windshield all by itself. The crack starts at the bottom of the passenger side by the wiper blade and runs up and over towards the drivers side. I drove the car one day and the crack was not there. A week later I drove it again and the crack was there when I got into the car to start it up. From what I read online it is due to something with the deicer making the windshield very likely to crack in that area. I have never had a windshield crack by itself and I've owned or taken care of a dozen cars for my family over 40 years. Subaru should do the right thing and issue a recall, as there are a ton of reports of this happening to people.

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Visibility · 53,000 miles · NJ

Windshield cracked starting from windshield wiper heater location on passenger side up and over to middle of windshield approximately 2 .5 feet in length. This happened with the so called improved windshield from subaru. The vehicle was stationary , no stone chip/impact damage noted. At the time when I turned on the windshield heat I heard a crack. The weather outside was cold about 40 f.the temp inside the car was warm. This is dangerous since the windshield is an integral part of the structure of the car and helps to contain the air bags during an impact. These windshields appear to be too fragile or thin for safety and should be recalled.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Visibility · 10 miles · MI

Windshield started to split in lower wiper resting area after no apparent impact. Vehicle was in motion at moderate speed in a residential area. Split continued to increase in size over the following 3 days. Correct length approximately 12 inches.

Filed Aug 4, 2019 · Visibility · 44,200 miles · WA

Driving 45mp, temperature, 75, no cars in front of me or on the sides or oncoming, the bottom of the window popped on the passenger side in the black wiper/ defroster area. A crack developed running up and to the drivers side, about a foot long at the time of writing this complaint

Filed Jun 11, 2019 · Electrical, Visibility · 25,000 miles · CA

Hello, my windshield broke about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle. I don't know how or why. It was just broken one morning when I went out to my car. I figured a rock or something hit it. There was no recall at the time and so I had it replaced with a oem windshield. My second windshield just broke a couple of weeks ago while changing my wipers you can see where the ceramic wiper heater delaminated inside of the windshield. It turned bright red. I have owned alot of cars and never seen a windshield that is so fragile. I have changed many, many wiper blades and I know what a quality windshield is. I set the wiper blade holder down on the windshield gently and it cracked, the crack grew across the windshield in a day or so. Ridiculous. These windshields run about 500 bucks and should be better quality. I also have electrical problems where my car clock will not set... Currently. It took them 3 years to figure out the steering retaining pin was broken even though I was complaining about it since I bought the car. The rear gate stopped opening and they had to replace the struts on a 3 year old car. There is something wrong with the front end but my dealer said "wait until it gets worse" can you believe that? Thanks,

Filed Feb 15, 2019 · Visibility · 51,500 miles · CA

Windshield cracked from base of windshield runs through heating element and wiper area. Does not appear to be caused by pebble impact or possibly extremely minor one and spread immediately

Filed Mar 17, 2018 · Visibility · CA

Windshield cracked by the rear view mirror'it started in the black section alongside the mirror and came down and made a j and reverse j patten onto drivers side and passenger side at eye level. I took the car to the subaru dealer and they determined there was no impact point but refused to cover it under the extended warranty because it did not crack in the windshield wiper area. Windshield was never hit by rock or other debris and there is no apparent reason for it to crack like it did. The crack appeared when the car was parked in my garage. Appears to be a defect in the subaru carlex windshields. I found found several comments online describing this same cracking pattern.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Visibility · 25,000 miles · NM

Windshield cracked from passenger side wiper area up and across windshield while car was parked. Had received a letter from subaru indicating there was a potential weakness in windshield - dealer refused to replace windshield . Claimed damage was from a rock.

Filed Jun 2, 2016 · Visibility · 23,245 miles · CA

I was driving my 2015 subaru outback on the highway, northbound interstate 280, in woodside, california, on may 27, 2016. Suddenly I saw a small crack on my windshield that grew to about 6 inches in a few seconds, starting from the wipers, at the bottom and a bit towards the driver side and going up then curving towards the right, in an l shape. By the next morning the horizontal part of the crack had expanded at least 12 inches more. I did not hear the noise of impact of a stone or any other object.

Filed Oct 23, 2015 · Visibility · 8,203 miles · NJ

On sunday oct 11th while sitting in the driveway and washing the car a spider crack appeared under the tip of the passenger side windshield wiper that has spread across to just about the rear view mirror. Went to the dealer who then took some photos to send to subaru. After many calls back and forth we are still waiting on a determination. First was to be be today 10/23 now being told 10/28. There is no evidence of an external impact and as the car is sitting in the driveway it seems it is being pushed out from the inside.

Filed Sep 13, 2015 · 6,000 miles · TX

The windshield cracked in the bottom corner of the passenger side, merely as a result of the windshield wiper retracting onto it while being washed. (I have never in my 30+ years of driving cars had a windshield crack from the impact of a windshield wiper retracting onto it!!!) the crack has since spread almost to the driver side. Based on my own research and investigation, I believe the built in windshield de-icer unit compromises the integrity of the windshield glass. In the event an accident were to occur, the windshield could very well shatter and cause bodily injury. A subaru of america representative confirmed via email that "in the past few months we have seen a higher demand for windshield replacement than we usually see. Our parts department is working hard with retailers and suppliers availability....we have also updated our production process to improve the durability of our windshields." clearly, the subaru outback 2015 windshields have a defect, and there should be a recall for them to be replaced at no cost to the owner before someone gets hurt. I have an appointment with the local dealership to have the windshield replaced next week. Only time will will tell how long this will take and how much it is going to cost. In fairness, the subaru of america rep has asked me to send a copy of the replacement receipt to see if they can help with the cost. Considering subaru's reputation, my hope is they will ultimately reimburse me in full.