The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact became aware that there was a 12-inch-long crack on the windshield starting from the driver’s side of the windshield. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the windshield to crack. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
2020 Subaru Outback: windshield cracks
323 of the 906 complaints about the 2020 Subaru Outback describe windshield cracks.
- owner complaints
- 323
- of this car's complaints
- 36%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 6,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Windshield cracks by model year
What owners say
Windshield cracked from a rock chip. Within 1 day, the crack had expanded to 12 inches across the windshield.
I have 2020 Subaru Outback and have had 14 windshield replacements/repairs. The windshield has spider cracked out of nowhere and has been unable to take the smallest impact without cracking in multiple locations. I have submitted multiple complaints to Subaru and was informed the issue is unique to my vehicle, but the car has never been inspected by Subaru, regardless of countless requests to do so. All but one windshield replacement has been submitted through my insurance, Subaru has covered one replacement. The last time I spoke with a Subaru representative I was informed it was not Subarus issue. No one was hurt during any windshield incidents but the quality and safety of the windshield is dangerous. Subaru has refused to thoroughly inspect my windshield and the safety of my vehicle.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while seated in the vehicle in the driveway of the residence, the front windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the failure was not caused by a manufacturing defect. The windshield was replaced. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced three times and was in the process of a fourth replacement. The contact stated that the first three windshield replacements were due to a small gravel striking the windshield. The contact stated that failures had occurred while driving, and it was very scary, she was very nervous when she heard the loud popping sound from the windshield. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 500.
This is a safety issue regarding the durability of windshields. I have had 2 incidents now with my 2020 subaru outback having a cracked windshield. Both times it came on suddenly with at least a foot long crack or more the first time and an 18 inch crack the second time just recently. I reported the incident to the service manager this time and he put me in touch with customer advocacy at subaru who is waiting for a report from the diagnosis on Monday, July 22. The first crack was in March 2024. Prior to the crack happening, I noticed a drip of dried substance running down the inside of my windshield from the top of the windshield. I thought it must be sealant and was going to contact subaru. However, without warning, I pulled out of my garage one morning to find a crack across the driver side of the windshield at least a foot or longer. There had been no incident of any rock hitting my windshield that I noticed and there was no damage to the paint on frame close to where the crack started which was on the outer edge of the windshield. The crack grew larger and crossed over the driver's visibility. I asked if there had been a recall since I thought this was odd and spontaneous but there was none. The service repair person said if a rock chip occurs in the defroster area in the perimeter of the windshield, the windshield will sustain a long crack. So I believed that something like that must have happened in my lack of knowledge of prior issues with subaru windshields. I had a $1000 deductible on my insurance and the repair was over that. Subaru refused to negotiate with State Farm to reduce the price so I paid the entire amount out of pocket. The second crack occurred while I was driving in the rain. I turned off my wipers to find an 18 inch long crack on the passenger side of the windshield starting at outer edge of glass. No incident of a rock chip, no damage to paint on frame.
Spontaneous windshield cracking
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that the passenger’s side of the windshield was severely cracked. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was a safety hazard and could cause severe injuries to occupants in the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the Insurance Provider for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
Windshield Cracked on vehicle, this is the 2nd incident and second full windshield replacement In 2 years, noth OEM.
A small horizontal crack recently appeared on my Outback's front windshield while it was sitting in a garage overnight. The crack started from the passenger side and has now crept over to the middle of the windshield. Previous to this incident, the car had been sitting unused for over a month, so there was no opportunity for rocks or other debris from the road to cause the crack. This is the second time that the windshield has developed a crack out of thin air. I have replaced the windshield at least five times since owning the vehicle, in addition to having small chips from rocks repaired twice. These incidents are potentially dangerous and could possible interfere with the vehicle's automated systems such as collision detection and cameras.
The windshield has cracked every year since I purchased the vehicle in May 2020. I fortunately bought the insurance but that only covers the windshield once a year. The windshield cracks within a month or two of replacing every single year. The cracks generally start from the edge of the windshield and there is no indication that it was hit be a rock as the start of the crack is clean. There have been two incidents where I heard a pop prior to the start of the crack. I am currently on my fourth windshield.
This was December2023Clicking noise when turning. "Rear swaybar bushing replaced (have gap in them when loaded)" also replaced 2 front Axle/CV Boots. Said they were worn. Additionally today, 5/3/2024 got in my car and there is a crack in my windshield that occurred overnight. Crack comes from bottom corning on drivers side up about 12 inches.
Windshield developed crack without impact. Crack runs from the bottom of windshield in front of steering wheel up to the middle of the windshield, impairing visibility. This is the fourth failed windshield on this vehicle within 4 years and 60,000 miles. Average lifespan of windshield on this car is less than 12 months. Previous windshields cracked with minor hits from pebbles at highway speeds. Windshield has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, but is available for inspection.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin announces the design change made to the Washer Tank.
- This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited...
- This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel...
- This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel...
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited...
- This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a...
- This bulletin announces availability of new front door window regulator assemblies in response to limited...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2020 Subaru Outback windshield crack
Is windshield cracks a common problem on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
323 of 906 owner complaints about the 2020 Subaru Outback (36%) mention windshield cracks. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
How much does it cost to fix windshield cracks on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
There are 0 recalls and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Subaru Outback
Battery drain 77Won't start 54Wipers 27Adaptive cruise 23Stalling 21Check engine light 20Lane assist 16Screen failure 14Warning lights 14Start-stop 13Headlights 12Slipping 9CVT failure 8Jerking 8Backup camera 7Door locks 6Fire or smoke 6Fuel pump 6Key fob 6Sudden acceleration 6ABS 5Collision warning 5Loss of power 5Overheating 5Sunroof shattered 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2020 Subaru Outback?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history