What 194 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

The front windshield spontaneously developed a crack about 5 inches long which later suddenly increased to about 15 inches in length. It is our understanding that this problem has occurred in the windshields of other Subaru models. The internet states that Subaru windshields have had a tendency to crack without impact due to the windshield's angle or thinness to accommodate Eyesight technology.

NHTSA ODI 11700276

While driving home in the evening, I was startled by a sudden cracking sound that I heard. Although nothing appeared to have impacted the windshield, I speculated that it may have been caused by a plastic bag in which I stored trash in my vehicle on occasion. The following day, my partner noticed a significant crack in the windshield as he loaded bags into the car. I recounted the previous night's experience of hearing the disturbing sound that had caught my attention. The crack in the windshield continued to expand, causing me great distress and anxiety about the potential safety implications. As someone who relies on my vehicle for work-related commitments, the thought of the windshield shattering while I was driving deeply concerned me. This experience exacerbated my chronic pain and added financial worries due to the unexpected repair costs. Despite the absence of any apparent cause for the crack, I sought assistance from my car dealership, only to be advised that an independent service center would offer a more cost-effective solution and repair quicker. Following the windshield replacement process, which was completed by an independent service center. I have documented the progress of the crack through photographs. This unforeseen issue, with no prior indicators, caused significant distress for someone who struggles with change and is reluctant to have their vehicle undergoing repairs, beyond routine maintenance. While the windshield has been successfully replaced, I remain vigilant due to the abrupt nature of the initial damage.

NHTSA ODI 11573897

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that upon inspection, a crack was discovered on the front windshield. The contact stated that the crack was located above the rearview mirror and extended approximately twelve inches. The contact stated that there was no impact on the windshield to cause the windshield to crack. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525970

Windshield cracked almost all the way across to other side and then down. This vehicle has the eyesight package. I do not remember date it happened but will state 2 years ago. When it happened it quickly moved across windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11475552

A windshield that was replaced July 14, 2021 at a Subaru dealership developed a crack for no apparent reason within 6 months (December 2021). The crack began at the bottom passenger-side edge and as of July 17, 2022 the crack has now extended 3/4 the distance across the windshield (upwards towards the top edge of the windshield). This is a very expensive replacement cost ($1,400) at the Subaru dealership. I am concerned about replacing the windshield again if the replacement windshields are defective and prone to cracking.

NHTSA ODI 11474324

A very, very small pebble hit the windshield while driving and caused a ~9 inch fracture in the windshield. I see that Subaru has had a class action lawsuit for defective windshields, but for some reason did not include the 2018 Crosstrek — but I can assure you, it's the same glass on these vehicles and the smallest pebble caused a nearly foot long crack.

NHTSA ODI 11468857

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that upon entering his vehicle after a light snowstorm, he noticed a vertical crack had from the bottom passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact stated that the crack had expanded further up the windshield and obstructed his vision while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and claimed they never heard of such a failure. The contact stated that he was also informed that the windshield was not covered under warranty and was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11455160

I got a cracked glass on the empty road and this is a same problem like at Impreza

NHTSA ODI 11448368

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that after a heavy rain and starting the vehicle several warning messages appeared on the instrument panel such as the assist braking and eyesight driver assist needed servicing. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that a sensor in the wheel caused the failure. The sensor was replaced however, the failure reoccurred after heavy rains a month a later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the failure reoccurred due to the computer sensor in the rear driver’s side wheel that was replaced was not reset. The contact stated that in December water was noticed on the driver’s side floor and condensation after a heavy rain. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again where the failure was diagnosed as clogged sunroof draining ports. The contact stated that the sunroof port needed to be replaced and unclogged. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447370

Windshield cracked in cold weather.

NHTSA ODI 11445975

This is the second time my windshield has spontaneously cracked since buying my 2018 Crosstrek. Both the first and this time, the windshield appears to crack for no apparent reason and the crack grows every day until it crosses the entire windshield. These are costly to repair and should NOT crack without any visible damage.

NHTSA ODI 11444069

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while her husband was approaching the parked vehicle, he noticed a crack on the upper driver’s side of the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432738

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, a small crack appeared on the windshield. The contact stated that after approximately 2 months, the crack expanded. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418091

WHAT LOOKS LIKE A SMALL CHIP APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANYTHING HITTING IT. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY IN A SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11416396

MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING THAT I SAW HIT IT. THE CRACK KEEPS GROWING AND IS NOW ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A DOLLAR BILL. I HAVE HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD BEFORE ON A DIFFERENT CAR AND IT IS OBVIOUS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK HITS IT. HOWEVER, THIS CRACK SEEMED TO HAVE COME OUT OF NOWHERE. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS (~35 MPH)

NHTSA ODI 11413205

I OWN A SUBARU CROSSTREK (2018)OUR CAR WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK. I'VE NEVER BEEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT OR COLLISION THAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A CRACK. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ALL OF A SUDDEN IS A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD ONE DAY. I JUST PARKED THE CAR IN OUR PARKING LOT IN OUR COMMUNITY ( IT'S A COVERED LOT) AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT IN TO CAR, I NOTICED THE CRACK.. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING AROUND AND NOTICED THAT SUBARU VEHICLES INCLUDING CROSSTREK HAVE TONS OF REPORTED ISSUES OF WINDSHIELD CRACKS.

NHTSA ODI 11406216

THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET. NO IMPACT OR REASON FOR IT. CRACK BEGUN ON THE TOP MIDDLE SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINSHIELD IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. WINDOW REPLACEMENT AND EYESIGHT ADAS CALIBRATION REQUIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11406072

DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK DOWN THE HIGHWAY TODAY (2/13/2021) WITH NO OTHER CARS VISIBLE ON THE ROAD WITH ME IN THEIR DIRECTION I TURNED ON MY DEFROST AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I NOTICED AT THAT AFTER THAT FUNCTION A CRACKING LINE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GREW UP FROM THE BOTTOM AND CURVED LEFT. THE CRACK CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 7-10" DURING THE REMAINING 3 HOUR DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. TO BE CLEAR THERE WAS NO CHIP OR IMPACT. I HAVE PICTURES FROM THE MOMENT I REALIZED IT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND AGAIN OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF MY TRIP. THERE IS NO IMPACT JUST A PERFECT CRACK STARTING FROM BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHICH IS PROECTED FROM DEBRE BY THE HOOD AND WIPERS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 2018, MANUFACTURED AFTER FEB 2018 AND IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI 11396117

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO OBJECT HAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ADVENTURE SUBARU LOCATED AT 1991 MENTOR AVE, PAINESVILLE, OH 44077 WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800.

NHTSA ODI 11395701

I HAVE A TOTAL OF TWO WINDSHIELD CRACKS ON MY ORANGE 2018 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE FIRST OCCURED IN 05/23/2019. I WAS DRIVING ON MIRA MESA BLVD IN SAN DIEGO APPROACHING I-15 NORTH RAMP WHEN A SMALL ROCK FLEW A FROM CARS TIRE AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, LOWER PORTION NEAR THE WIPER BLADES. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 45 WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE ROCK CAUSED A SMALL CHIP AND TWO CRACKS. AS I DROVE ON THE FREEWAY TO WORK, THE CRACK BEGAN TO PROPAGATE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A WINDSHIELD REPAIR COMPANY AND HAVE THEM SEAL THE CRACK TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING. COST $75 THE SECOND OCCASION ON 01/24/21 I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-5 FREEWAY NEAR OCEANSIDE HEADING NORTH. I WAS PASSING A TRUCK WHEN A DIME SIZE ROCK FLEW ONCE AGAIN AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH. THIS HIT RIGHT ON THE DRIVER-SIDE AROUND EYE LEVEL TO THE DRIVER. AT THIS POINT, IT SEEMED THE WINDSHIELD WAS WEAK SO I'M GETTING IT REPLACED. COSTING ME $400. THIS WINDSHIELD IS WEAK AND I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAVE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AT SUCH A RAPID RATE.

NHTSA ODI 11390121

WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME IN LIGHT SNOW MY WINDOW CRACKED STARTING AT 6 INCHES AND IS NOW OVER A FOOT LONG AND GROWING.

NHTSA ODI 11389688

MY WINDSHIELD GOT A BIG CRACK OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION MY WINDSHIELD WIPER NOZZLES AND PUMP HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACED DUE TO PROBLEMS CLEANING WINDOW BUT CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION STILL AND I CAN'T SEE CLEARLY BECAUSE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI 11389589

WINDSHIELD CRACKED, UNSURE OF TIMING

NHTSA ODI 11387895

A LONG (10-12 INCH) CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT A SMALL PEPPLE HIS THE WINDSHIELD WIHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NO NOTICABLE DAMANAGE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN I NOTICED A LONG (10-12) INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHEILD NEAR THE DASH (BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD) AND TRAVELING UP AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI 11385126

WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CRACK OCCURRED IN EARLY OCTOBER. THERE WAS NO REASON THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD HAVE CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI 11385159