The quality of the windshield leaves a lot to be desired. This is the second time in less than a year I have had to replace my windshield. In both occasions, the windshield cracked while the vehicle was in motion. I thought the first crack was caused by a small object/projectile I could not see. Then the second crack occurred a few months later (about 5 months apart) around the same spot (driver side) as the first one. In about 30 minutes, the crack radiated quickly from the driver side all the way to the middle of the windshield. In both cases, even if the crack was caused by a small object, the impact was too small to explain such major damage. The first time the windshield cracked, it was replaced by a subaru recommended part and not by an aftermarket windshield. I will use a subaru recommended part again. However, based on the evidence, I do not have any confidence that the problem will not resurface. I think the windshield is fundamentally defective.
2017 Subaru Outback visibility complaints
Page 9 of 9: complaints 221 to 233 of 233, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Purchased our 2017 subaru outback 2.5 I limited in august 2016. As of april 30, 2018 we have had to have the windshield replaced 4 times! Each time we were on highways. The most recent incident we were traveling at only 45 MPH. Each time, as soon as we heard the impact, a huge crack appeared. There is obviously a problem with either the quality of glass being used or the design. We have contacted subaru of america and reported the incidents. And yet, subaru will say there is no problem and no complaints have been filed. We are frustrated and now anxious each time we are traveling that we will have to deal with getting the windshield replaced. Today, we again contacted subaru of america and said we want subaru to admit there is a problem and deal with it. We also met with the service director of our local subaru dealer and filed a complaint. He has agreed to forward the complaint to the regional director.
I have already replaced two cracked windshields on my new 2017 subaru outback with only 8,000 miles on it. Each repair using oem glass and recalibration of the eyesight system costs over $960 each time. This is an unexpected cost of ownership for this vehicle that I've owned for less than 6 months. This is not to mention the unsafe nature of recurrently broken windshields. The first windshield break was noticed when the vehicle was parked overnight in my driveway. A long crack started at the windshield heating element and extended 2 feet across. The second windshield developed a crack from the passenger side during driving. I heard no impact to the glass, just a crack extending several inches. The carlex oem laminate windshield is thin, fragile and expensive. There are numerous consumer complaints stemming back to the 2015 and 2016 outback models with complaints of recurrent windshield cracks. This includes a class action lawsuit regarding the windshields. I have not driven the car in any adverse conditions. It is driven on the same roads I have driven for years in another vehicle that never suffered such frequent and unsafe windshield damage.
Exploding sun roof: on 11/23/2017 our family was driving from hillsboro, or to coosbay, or for a family thanksgiving dinner. While we were on interstate I-5 south just near cottage grove, or we heard a loud shatter which scared all of us, we immediately pulled to the shoulder safely and noticed that the sunroof was shattered. We were going at 65-70mph with drizzle oregon rain and temps at 50's f
Hello, see attached pics of our outback sunroof that exploded while traveling southbound on I-95 in ga crossing south newport river in townsend, ga 31331 around 10:55 a.m on 11/19/17. All occupants heard a loud pop and sound of glassing exiting the rear of the vehicle prior to pulling over. I cleared to the side of the interstate, documented the sunroof damage and then drove 40 MPH to next exit where I located a vacuum to clean up the mess so that we could drive 35 miles back home. There was a cold front passing through the area, so there were some gusty winds, but temps were only around 60 degrees. We had just refueled and were accelerating to 60 MPH to merge with traffic. We were using a sear's x-cargo carrier on top for personnel storage. I have an appt with the dealer tomorrow to assess warranty, etc. The vehicle is six months old.
We purchased the outback 2017 a couple of weeks ago and have discovered that visibility is severely limited when raining and wipers are on, especially when lights are reflected on the windshield. We have researched and have found on the internet that others have the same problem....for years before and for the 2017 models. We were driving on interstate highways and local roads. A heavy haze appears on the exterior windshield with every swipe of the wipers . So, the windshield is extremely glary when light hits it, thus visibility is tremendously impaired. We noticed that beading occurred on the windshield as rain fell and changed to haze after each swipe of the wipers. Defrost did not help; cleaning windshield did not help.
I very small rock chip hit my windshield initially causing an 8 inch crack and is now over two feet long. The chip did not even leave an impact mark; if you tried right now to see where the crack started you would not be able to. I reviewed forums online and have seen numerous complaints about outback windshields. Weak or cheap is how they were often described. This was a very small rock chip that hit my windshield. This amount of damage should not have happened. I agree with the forums; weak and cheap. I see there is even a class action lawsuit against subaru.
Purchased a 2015 outback and experienced 4 cracked windshields in an 18 month period. Traded the car in for a 2017 outback hoping they fixed the design flaw. Now 6 months after 2017 outback purchase an outrageous crack formed on this new vehicle. All 5 cracks began not further than 2 to 3 inches from the frame. So 5 cracked windshields in a 2 year period from subaru outback. Automobiles. The dealership and manufacturer never would acknowledge that there are so many other people experiencing this problem. Sometimes the crack would appear spontaneously, sometimes it actually sounded like crackling sounds happening in frame and maybe (?) one time there might have been a small pebble hit the windshield. Twice I wasn't even driving the vehicle. Impedes vision. Distracts driver.
On a bright sunny day it is really difficult to drive as glare from the center infotainment display directly reflects on the eyes, making it hard to see the road. This is a safety issue, the screen should be anti glare. Subaru representative replied they could not help it and asked to find after market anti glare screen protectors.
Window cracked but was not hit with anything. Crack appeared on the drivers side, halfway down the windshield, and obstructs view of the driver. Car has less than 1600 miles on it. Dealer stated it was not covered as a defect and we are on own own to replace it. There are numerous complaints of subaru outback windshields cracking because they are to thin. Dangerous to drive due to visibility issues.
Our windshield began slowly cracking starting at the base of the driver side front window. It began at the bottom edge (heat strip) and moved half up the windshield before we replaced. Cost $569 for oem windshield. Subaru dealer denied the warranty claim, while admitting a problem with earlier versions that year's outback.
Star crack in windshield discovered stationary (in carport) the day after purchasing the vehicle (odometer reading 200 miles). Location of crack slightly above wiper blade on passenger side. Impact strike the size of a pinhead. The damage is characteristic of prior model years 2015 and 2016 in which the manufacturer initiated recalls. It is apparent this problem continues and has yet to be resolved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru outback. While driving various speeds, there was a glare from outside the vehicle that reflected off the face plate of the navigation system without warning. The failure distracted the contact from driving and hindered her visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the glare failure was confirmed. A buy back for the vehicle was offered; however, the contact declined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. Updated 04/06/17 lj the consumer stated the buy back offer involved a $5,500 loss. The consumer stated the light was so extreme that it was painful, causing nausea and migraines. Updated 09/20/20017
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