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2016 Subaru Outback: windshield cracks

70 of the 644 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Outback describe windshield cracks.

owner complaints
70
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
40,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 7 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Windshield cracks by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 21, 2025 · Visibility · IL

1.Windshield crack in the deicing area. Driving on a highway heard a loud boom as if a very big rock hit the car. 30-40 second later there was another boom of normal loudness. At this moment windshield crack has been noticed. The windshield will not be available, replacing it on 12/22/2025 2. Visibility has been affected 3. No, problem was not reproduced. Dealer representative said that the problem is not covered by Subaru. 4. Windshield was visually inspected by the dealership representative. I will try to collect more data at the windshield replacement shop. 5. There were no symptoms of the problem. N.B - the crack outside is flat, as if no rock hit happened. - I have camera's MP4, where sounds can be heard, 1GB

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Visibility · WI

I had a rock thrown at my vehicle's windshield and required a replacement. I went to a Subaru dealership, Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha, local to me for a replacement. A day after I received my car, the windshield developed a hairline crack emanating from the bottom. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it again. After that time, it was a whole week and a half when I noticed a hairline crack, this time from the top working its way down. I brought it once again to the dealer for a replacement and a better explanation as to what is going on. 1.5 months later, I took my car again and was good for a little over a month, when I noticed the same hairline crack, this time from the bottom. I am up to having three windshields being installed and have no confidence in the safety and longevity of the vehicle I have. Subaru has had engineers come out to evaluate my vehicle and determined that its structural construction is not compromised and have tried to diagnose another probable cause coming from the windshield wiper heater and unplugged it. I have heard crack noises when driving at random intervals and have it noted to the dealership. no further update has been told to me as of the writing of this concern.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Visibility · OR

Windshield cracks on its own. This is my 3rd time replacing windhield.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Visibility · OR

Windshield cracked on its own, this is the 3rd time I will be replacing windshield.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Visibility · GA

Front windshield cracked all the way across. Have not replaced so it is available for inspection. The crack impairs vision. Confirmed by dealer in Macon, GA. Has not been inspected except by the service department at Subaru in Macon, GA. No warning lamps or messages.

Filed May 31, 2022 · Visibility · MI

Windshield cracked

Filed May 12, 2022 · NJ

Windshield is very susceptible to cracking. I had a small stone hit our windshield in spring 2020 that made a huge crack in the windshield and required replacement and re-calibration of eyesight which was quite an expense. Yesterday, I was driving and a very small stone hit the windshield and again the windshield is cracked and will need replacing. I was not behind a truck or any construction vehicle and the stone was very tiny. I have never had a replace a windshield before and now this is twice in less than two years.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Visibility · FL

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.

Filed Jan 10, 2022 · Visibility · 46,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · TX

Windshield got a very large crack from me trying to kill a bug inside the car. Windshield is thin. I didn’t hit it that hard with my hand. Had to be replaced. The repair service tech explained that the only replacements for my model are of the same thinness as the original, and to seek the recall glass replacement should it be thicker and safer.

Filed Nov 15, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · ID

Battery corrosion on terminal post and drained for no reason, failed battery test and had to be replaced. Windshield has imperfections throughout and cracks easily. Shift mechanism will not release the vehicle key while in park. Squeaking sound emanating from passenger seat belt buckle. Excessive exhaust noise and odor from exhaust pipe. Rear hatch will not close completely unless slammed very forcefully. Belts under the hood squeak very loudly when started and subside when warmed up.

Filed Oct 20, 2021 · Visibility · WA

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.

Questions about the 2016 Subaru Outback windshield crack

Is windshield cracks a common problem on the 2016 Subaru Outback?

70 of 644 owner complaints about the 2016 Subaru Outback (11%) mention windshield cracks. The model year with the most reports is 2020.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Subaru Outback?

There are 0 recalls and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Subaru Outback

Battery drain 110Won't start 45Wipers 15Fuel smell 12Jerking 12Sudden acceleration 11Adaptive cruise 9Collision warning 8No deployment 7CVT failure 7Sunroof shattered 7Transmission failure 7Warning lights 7Stalling 6Door locks 5Hesitation 5Lane assist 5

All model years of the Subaru Outback

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