Two windshields cracked in 6 years - this is a safety issue that should not happen.
2016 Subaru Outback visibility complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon defrosting the windshield and clearing it from the heavy ice that had collected on the windshield during an ice storm, he noticed that there was a 30-inch long crack at the bottom of the windshield. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair of the windshield was not covered because the VIN was not included in Technical Service Bulletin Number: 12-192-15R; however, the manufacturer provided the contact with a coupon for the repair of the windshield. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Went out to my car this morning and noticed a linear 6 inch crack in my windshield-it expanded from near the wiper on the driver side upward and within 2 hours another crack began about 5 inches lateral to the ever expanding first crack which is now greater than 12 inches long. I called devoe subaru in naples florida and asked about windshield crack and repair-I had bought the car there 3 years ago. I was informed they do not repair windshields, never did they mention this was a common problem with the outback. I contacted satellite windshield repair and gave them my insurance info and hopefully my progressive insurance will cover the windshield and the eyesight calibration.I then googled the issue and found that this is a real and frequent issue with the subaru.
We have replaced about 5 windshields in this vehicle since we have owned it. The cracks form from the bottom of the windshield in the black area where a rock couldn't possibly chip the windshield. Subaru refuses to recognize this vin number as part of their class action law suit that was just settled and has refused to extend the warranty on this particular vehicle although they are covering replacement windshields for other 2016 Subaru Outbacks. They clearly recognize that there is a problem but are refusing to admit fault. You do not need to look far to find numerous complaints in forums on the internet with people describing this exact problem.
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle in the morning, she noticed a L-shaped crack in the windshield which originated on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that an issue with the windshield wiper had caused the fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
On November 15, 2021 my car was in the garage as normal. I started my car and I heard a "pop" I was headed out my driveway is when I notice a crack at the bottom of the windshield that is about 3" high and then curves for about 4".
Windshield cracks easily. On my 5th windshield, just replaced 2 weeks ago and it’s cracked again. The windshield cracks easily even with minor rock chips. This is the 5th windshield on this car.
Windshield cracked without any cause
The windshield cracked without receiving any kind of impact to it. No rock chip, sudden jolt, extreme temperatures or other weather event precipitated the cracking.
The adjustment of the passenger side side view mirror has malfunctioned. The mirror can not be adjusted properly for visibility of cars to the side of the vehicle. Only the driver-side window is operable. All other windows fail to open from the driver side control. The passenger window will no longer operate from the passenger side either. These windows would have to be broken in order to escape the vehicle in some situations (flooding). My mechanic says that this is a common problem in 2016 Subaru Outbacks. No warning lights were activated. A mirror not able to be adjusted for optimum sighting of other vehicles is surely a safety issue.
A small rock chip at bottom of the windshield, near the heated wiper park area, caused multiple cracks across the entire windshield. Replacement was required as visibility was impaired
Windshield spontaneously developed a crack; there had been no impact to the vehicle or windshield.
Battery is drained while parked.
The windshield cracked in august of 2020 without any impact or outside cause across the middle of the windshield almost the entire length of the glass. I had it replaced at the dealership and in april of 2021 the new windshield now has cracked down the middle of the glass. Both times the cracks appeared overnight with the vehicle in a parked position.
2016 subaru outback. A four-inch wavy crack on the left bottom of the windshield; a week later another crack of about 6 inches appeared. The cracks occurred with the subaru car in motion on a highway.
Windshield began cracking near the bottom (close to the windshield wipers) but there was no rock or damage to the windshield that prompted the crack. It just appeared and then has spread about 2 feet.
This morning my wife noticed a crack in the windshield of our 2016 3.6r subaru outback purchased 3/2016. It originates at the base of the windshield, passes over the 6 red defroster wires below the windshield, and extends ~10" up on the drivers side toward the rear view mirror. There are no pits etc., this crack originated on the inside of the windshield. This crack perfectly matches the crack pattern and description identified in subaru service bulletin 12-192-15r, revised 11/19/15. That bulletin was issued as a result of subaru's loosing a lawsuit in california regarding broken glass windshields because of manufacturing defect. Unfortunately subaru is only replacing defective glass on outbacks up to VIN g3222455/g3210476. Our manufacturing VIN is early 2016, and the judge in the case did not extend judgment against subary to cover our outback. This is exactly the same problem with our outback as for the california case. Here in new jersey we have been having several weeks of harsh weather, outside temperature ~20 degrees f in the morning. The outback is garaged, it is a warm garage. Even though this is a 2016, we assume the extreme is a factor. This is not a stone hit problem, all the driving is northern nj surburban roads, not highway driving. We see many many complaints definitely a manufacturing issue. Attaching a photo of crack. I run my finger over the crack and actually can't feel anything, no dings, nothing.
I drove my car to ski. I parked my car. The snow accumulated on windshield. And then I found the windshield has a long crack.
2016 subaru outback's front windshield cracked for no apparent reasons
Ii was driving on an open highway with no cars in close vicinity when windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Crack was on driver side near edge about 12 inches long. On investigation, there were no nicks or pits in the windshield, just the crack. When the windshield was being replaced, the technician stated that it was wierd that a similar crack developed on the passenger side of the windshield as he was removing the shield from the car.
Front windshield cracked, originating from the edge of the window, about 2 years ago while parked without any overhanging hazards or adverse weather. There is no associated glass 'ding' from an impact. I believe this is the same problem that LED to a lawsuit against subaru involving 2015-2016 outback's.
We purchased a car brand new in savannah, ga and since have replaced windshield three times. It has a small crack again. All our replacements occurred against our insurance. Our coverage has increase in premiums. Previously, I never had an issue with windshield cracked on regular occurrence. Another issue - when it rains the visibility is extremely poor. Despite I buy the expensive wipers to replace them at least once in 12 months unable to adjust/increase the wiper speed for the heavy rain makes the driving extremely dangerous. Optional eyesight which was added as an option is shuts itself due to the heavy rain and is no help. Eyesight is also underperform what was promised by manufacturer. All above applies for vehicle in motion.
Spontaneous crack developed down the passenger side of the windshield in my 2016 subaru outback while driving. No obvious reason such as impact with stone or rock was involved- large crack just suddenly appeared. Have read many reports of others having same issue, and subaru has had at least 3 class action lawsuits filed against them for this exact issue.
This is the 2nd window that has had to be replaced in 2 1/2 years. It appeared to crack spontaneously.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield cracked without impact. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at peacock subaru hilton head (111 drivers way suite a, hardeeville, sc 29927) for a cracked windshield. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the windshield needed to be replaced however, no additional assistance was provided. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,688.
My vehicle was in motion on a highway when a pebble struck the windshield and a chip was formed on 8/26/2016. This chip was immediately repaired. This was only months from purchasing a brand new 2016 subaru outback; factory to dealer. Then, while parked, it was noted that the chip formed a spreading crack on 11/13/2017. At this point, the windshield was replaced with new, original subaru glass.
My windshield spontaneously cracked on the driver's side near the wiper blade, while driving with a factory windshield. The 6" crack from the corner almost immediately turned into a crack across the entire windshield - again no trauma or rocks. I was driving straight on a highway with no potholes or anything. I had the windshield replaced and it has again spontaneously cracked with no trauma (no rock or bug impact or other impacts/damages) on the passenger side by the wiper blade. I believe that the subaru windshield as well as the defrost system are defective. This will be my third windshield in under 3 months. Other subaru outback owners have complained about this and subaru continues to blame it on rocks. The second crack happened while my vehicle was stationary in the driveway!
In february 2019 I had to replace the windshield in my 2016 subaru outback because of a crack that started from the passenger side edge from a very tiny chip, and paid about $950 (oem equipment and due to the eyesight system calibration required). On february 29, 2020, I discovered a crack in the new windshield, in a similar place (passenger side, tiny chip at the every edge (black part of windshield), that then extended half way across the windshield. I could not remember anything hitting the windshield to cause the tiny chip, and it really was tiny and very shallow. The car had been parked all day in a safe, secure area. The crack was not there in the morning when I parked the car, but was there by the end of the day. Photo attached. It does not seem reasonable to have to replace a windshield annually! Subaru has a problem with their windshields!
Windshield cracked in l shape . On day after snow fall. When cleared there was the crack
I had purchased my car in feb 2016. We had to have windshield replaced 90 days later. And they told me " the glass is thinner due to eye sight. I've had wind shield replaced 2 other times since then. We were driving down the highway,and it was struck by rocks. I went to subaru and they stated there was nothing wrong with their glass. And each time it was replaced. 1 at their cost and 2 at mind. All of the papers work I can get from ins. Company
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Subaru Outback?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history