Windshield cracked spontaneously while parked, March 29, 2024. Temperature was approx 28°F. This was the second time in 11 months this has happened. Safelite technician said it was caused by faulty windshield heater. The first one I paid for the replacement, the second one was under warranty from Safelite. But was told if it happened again they would not be responsible.
2019 Subaru Outback visibility complaints
Page 2 of 14: complaints 11 to 40 of 387, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I now have a second windshield that suddenly cracked. I was told that Subaru OEM windshield was installed and their is a Subaru icon on the glass. The first time was when a defrost was turned on. I heard a pop and crack quickly appeared. Crack started on the outside edge about half way up on the passenger side. Within seconds the crack was half way across to the other side. The most recent it was after a hot day on the previous day the next morning open the garage and immediately saw multiple cracks starting from the drivers side this time, about half way up then running almost half across the other side. Both times I had only had the windshield a few months. I took it back to the windshield installer and they are going to replace it because it isn't due to damage to the windshield like a chip. They told me that they are putting Subaru OEM windshields on right now because they have had to replace 20 recently for the same issue. They just suddenly crack no damage. They said there is a lawsuit. I asked the dealership and they told me that haven't heard any issues with windshields. I just wanted to let you know. It is pretty scary and expensive to have the windshield suddenly crack and it is pretty deep. I'm going to take a picture since my Subaru dealership wouldn't record the issue for me.
My windshield has chipped and cracked 4 times in the 5 yrs that I've owned this car, purchased new. In the first three cases, a minor chip started cracking the windshield almost immediately. In the last case, which I haven't had repaired yet, there wasn't even a chip. The windshield seemed to just spontaneously crack. The glass shop for replacement #3 noted that the car is now rusting under the windshield. The car has only 39K miles on it.
The Windshield of my outback Subaru 2019 has cracked two times since I purchased the vehicle. Not caused by propelled items, accidents or vandalism, instead, these cracks originated from the center bottom part of the windshield suddenly and spread upwards.
My Subaru 2019 Outback has had 5 replacement windshields in 10 months. The windshield seems to crack for no reason and the cracks spread quickly impairing vision and causing worry that any impact of an object would come straight through the windshield and cause harm to driver, passengers and potentially other vehicles. I have talked with Subaru of America, just this last time on the 5th replacement and they had an engineer look at the windshield to determine cause. The report states: “Subaru field engineer determined caused by chip.” As the driver of the vehicle, NOTHING has hit the windshield while driving, nothing of note that is, normal things like rain, sunshine, and wind, which is what a windshield is meant to protect against.The other techs at the dealer could not make out a point of impact. I picked up my vehicle from the dealer at 6pm, drove it a few miles on the freeway, maintaining safe follow distances with my new windshield, and when I got back in the car 2 hours later there were 4 cracks stemmed from the bottom of the windshield that stretched up more than 6 inches. The windshield is currently cracked and I’m waiting for Subaru of America to get back to me on this issue. There is a problem with the windshields and someone needs to take responsibility for it. One or two cracked windshields can be explained, but now with the most recent one, that’s 6 cracks in 10 months. It seems there is a defect.
Within a year, my windshield has cracked 4 times with Subaru glass. These cracks are huge coming from either the top or bottom. With the crack, I feel like the eyesight feature is not accurate therefore causing weird serving. So I do not feel safe leaving my lane assist on. I have had 3 Subaru glass and one safelite glass, and this seems to be a reoccurring issue. what is the point of getting it fixed if it'll just keep cracking.
Windshields crack easily. I was using the original windshield and it was cracked on the passenger side. Common error of subaru outback. My car is only 37000miles.
When defroster was turned on, a crack began on the windshield at the bottom, left of middle. As the days went on, the crack continued to spread when heat was on or sun heated up the windshield. In 3 months it went from a 4 inch to a 10 inch crack that obstructed view. We just had it replaced after paying a $500 deductible, with no guarantee it won’t recur.
We own a 2019 outback, and have had the windshield replaced twice prior this event. The first was a year ago with about 70K miles after the windshield suddenly cracked while going about 70MPH, this happen when no other cares where around. The second time was 2 weeks later when we came outside in the morning and the windshield was cracked while parked in a parking lot. Now for the 3rd time the windshield has cracked while parked in the garage, the windshield has cracked more each night, and has not grown is size while driving. Coincidental all the cracks have started in the same spot, lower portion of the windshield by the wiper, just to the right of the driver. We have been told every time by the dealer that it has been a rock chip, but its hard to get a rock chip when teh vehicle is in the garage and not moving.
My windshield cracked for the 6th time with nothing hitting on this occasion. It immediately shattered and even lost a piece of glass from where it cracked. I believe this to be a safety issue as it could immediately inter with my safety and radar equipment. I am worried if the glass cracks without contact what would happen if something significant hit it. Additionally since this is the 6th time I am concerned that something could be wrong with the design of the vehicle. I have contacted Subaru multiple times without resolve.
Windshield has cracked (large about 10 inches or more) 2 times within a year for no apparent reason. Both times the weather did not have fast shifting changes and the car was sitting in the driveway or in the garage at my residence.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front windshield fractured without impact. The contact stated that it was the second time that the failure had occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was due to the impact of a possible rock chip. The contact was also advised that the failure was not a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 50,535.
Windshield has been cracked and replaced 3 times and currently has another crack, all within 17 months. Also head unit has internal malfunction and must be replaced at cost of $1700 +/-
As of Today 1-31-24 I have to replace my windshield for the 3rd time. The first windshield was broken when a rock from a semi the rock stuck the windshield (7K miles). I paid for that one b/C that rock would have cracked any windshield. The 2nd windshield cracked for what seemed to me to be no apparent reason (36 K miles). And the fourth Windshield (48K miles) has now cracked in two places for no apparent reason. Subaru paid for the 3rd windshield but Subaru Customer Advocacy says they won't pay for another windshield b/c they paid for the 3rd windshield as a matter of "courtesy". My wife and I have owned 10-13 Subaru's and many other vehicles since the 1980's and have never had any windshield problems like this before. There has to be something wrong with the design or materials in these windshields.
Front windshield cracked without any impact. Was parked in my driveway for previous 3 days. Got in to drive and noticed the large crack right away. It started from the passenger mid lower edge and within a day it cracked halfway across passenger side. There was no divot or impact that caused this.
Cracked windshield (2nd incident in less than 18 months). Windshield cracked without any impact with rocks or other objects. This is an OEM windshield that was installed and calibrated at Sheehy Subaru Springfield, VA. This windshield easily cracks or is damage (impacts blemishes) by minor/small objects, which is unreasonable. This latest incident that I am reporting is a hair line crack, about 14” in length that runs from the edge of the windshield to the middle; there was no impact; this appears to be a temperature change like crack. It adversely affects visibility. This is a very expensive repair $1,500 for OEM and calibration.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, he noticed that the front windshield was cracked. The crack began on the passenger’s side and went towards the middle of the windshield. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Subaru outback had been parked in my garage for a few days. When I decided to move it, I backed out of my garage and noticed that my car had this squiggly crack on my windshield. I see this happen to a lot of subaru owners. Called about getting a defective windshield replaced and was told no. After seeing thaf theres been a lot of complaints of the similar issue. Issue happened on 9.28.23
Small rock impact at top passenger side of the windshield spidered beyond repair in about 30 minutes.
Minor rock strike from road driving on 09/15/23. This resulted in a crack about 8" long on passenger side of window. In 7 days, the crack has grown to about 36" and has fractured in multiple locations. The crack continues to grow even while the vehicle is stationary and not experiencing severe weather events. This is due to a poor bracing of the window on the top frame portion of its mounting location on the vehicle.
Multiple cracked windshields: Sept 2022: 1st incident - heard loud rock hit. So not surprised when I found windshield cracked the next morning. Replaced. June 9, 2023: 2nd incident - No recollection of rock hitting windshield. Came back to car after it was parked in the heat and found the windshield split. Started at top and then formed a crack along top of windshield in both directions. I believe this was caused by the heat, not a rock. You'll see this in 3 attached photos June 22, 2023: Picked up car from having windshield replaced and a small pebble hit the windshield and it immediately cracked. You'll see this in 1 attached photo. --- I know that Subaru is using a thinner windshield so it works with their Eyesight technology but I believe it makes it more prone to crack from extreme heat and from tiny rocks. Maybe Subaru owners have complained about this on the internet. I am now afraid to drive my car for fear of the windshield cracking again. Subaru should be made to improve their windshields or pay for all of the broken windshields -- especially those that don't show rock damage.
One day I got in my car an there was a crack on my windshield and there was no rick chip or any indication of an impact to the windshield.
I got in my car after a few hours of paddle boarding, and there was a large crack in the windshield (not even a chip prior to this) which started from the very bottom of the windshield. It cracked while it was just parked. I checked to see if someone had chipped it while driving by (unlikely in a small parking lot with such low speeds) but there are no chips. I took it to the dealership and the service man said he's never seen one randomly crack from the bottom like this. It has continued to expand QUICKLY anytime it is parked outside in the sun (usually it is in a parking garage, but if I go anywhere, it sits in the sun). The cracks are significant and make it unsafe for much driving. I've done my best to keep it from spreading because I just had to replace the windshield 10 months ago from another non-accident, non-chipped random break and $1,200 to replace it is a LOT to have to pay twice in 10 months.
After a picnic with friends, I got in my car which had been parked for probably 3 hours on the street. While removing the very flexible, lightweight sun protectors I had placed in my windshield, it tugged slightly at the rearview mirror which broke off the inside of my windshield, taking a large chunk of windshield with it. As I drove home, it cracked more from the spot which had broken with the mirror. There was no way to fix my mirror or eyesight system without fixing the windshield, so I had to replace the windshield which cost almost $1,200 (including the eyesight "recalibration").
The front windshield developed a star crack two inches above the base and in the middle. The crack then expanded upward and to the left, and down to the base. There is no evidence of an impact from any object. The windshield crack was treated with Silicone Repair. After one day another crack developed from the same source went upward and then to the left in one direction and also down to the base in another direction. This again was treated with Silicone Repair. I am contacting my insurance company to have the whole windshield replaced. Sine the Subaru Outback has Eyesight function this will need to be done through a dealer. This will be the second windshield replacement for this this vehicle for the same reason. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield was cracked across the middle of the windshield. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,040. The VIN was not included.
While driving on an empty stretch of road between neighborhoods, I heard a sudden, unprompted, soft pop, like I had just hit a big bug. Immediately, an 8" crack appeared across the eye-line view on the driver's side of the windshield. No shatter or clear point of impact of anything. Just a crack. In 24 hours, it has winded across and up the windshield and I anticipate it will soon affect the guidance cameras in the front. While researching this, we found two settled lawsuits against Subaru for 2017-19 models, including Outbacks, related to faulty windshields. We have not had it inspected by anyone at this point. There were no warning lights, messages, or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the crack's sudden stretch across the windshield.
After warming up my 2019 Subaru Outback, I heard a "pop" as soon as I got into the car. I noticed a vertical crack about 3" long near the center of the windshield. It grew as the day went on. I had it replaced by Safelite. The technician said it was caused by the heater built into the windshield.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, she noticed a 7-inch-long crack on the windshield located behind the rearview mirror. The contact stated that there was no indication of an external cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact sent pictures of the failure to the manufacturer. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. The contact stated Subaru National replaced the windshield free of charge on 5/19/23.
the windsheild has cracked 4 times in one year for no apparent reason. It is available for inspection. the dealership confirmed that the windsheld did crack for no reason Inspected by dealership no warning signs. The windsheild has been replaced at the dealership each time.
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