What 1,029 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Outback Wilderness

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.

NHTSA ODI 11557175

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

NHTSA ODI 11547329

Small rock impact at top passenger side of the windshield spidered beyond repair in about 30 minutes.

NHTSA ODI 11546679

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.

NHTSA ODI 11546010

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.

NHTSA ODI 11537274

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.

NHTSA ODI 11531540

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").

NHTSA ODI 11530686

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.

NHTSA ODI 11530689

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).

NHTSA ODI 11529247

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.

NHTSA ODI 11528102

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.

NHTSA ODI 11526484

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.

NHTSA ODI 11521969

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.

NHTSA ODI 11521678

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.

NHTSA ODI 11519381

The windshield is extremely sensitive to fracturing at the smallest of roadway rocks. I had a cracked factory original windshield replaced on Nov. 30, 2022 with a Subaru genuine windshield. That new windshield cracked with a minimal evidence of road debris (and no cars within a 500 foot radius) on March 9, 2023. I called Subaru and asked if they would stand behind their product, and after dealership inspection, Subaru has refused to do anything. If this glass is now a 3 month consumable item, it is untenable to own a Subaru.

NHTSA ODI 11518118

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he became aware of a crack on the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the windshield was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that six weeks later the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact stated that dealer refused to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an advocacy contact but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11517710

The windshield in my 2019 Subaru Outback has been replaced 4 times due to cracks, that have reached at least 50% horozontally across the windshield. The most recent replacement (all have been OEM) lasted 3 weeks before spontaneously cracking. The local dealership has analyzed the windshield and found no evidence of an impact, they have confirmed the severity of all the windshields cracks as they have replaced all 4 windshields.

NHTSA ODI 11516777

I bought this certified car in Feb 2020 from authorized Subaru dealer in NJ. After few months in 2020, while driving on highway, I got crack on my windshield. I replaced it at same authorize dealer from where I bought that car. After few months around early 2021, my windshield again got crack. I replaced it again at same location. I have my 3rd windshield right now which is also got crack few months back. I owned my car since 3 years and I already have my 3rd windshield which I need to replace again with 4th windshield. Every windshield costs me around $1000 with going back and forth to dealership service center.

NHTSA ODI 11515063

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, an unknown object struck the lower driver’s side windshield and formed a horizontal crack on the windshield. The crack quickly expanded to the middle of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the windshield was replaced. While driving 40 MPH, a rock struck the lower passenger’s side windshield and formed another horizontal crack. The contact stated that the cracks obstructed his vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513377

Front windshield glass has cracked spontaneously without known or evidence of obvious impact. The crack was first noticed on 3/12/2023 while parked in garage and had continued to increase so felt it was critical to have replaced so not to experience issue with driver visibility or complete windshield failure. Claim has been filed with Progressive and windshield replacement is currently scheduled for 3/17/2023 with Safelite Glass in Cartersville, GA.

NHTSA ODI 11512268

Windshield replaced twice in an 8 month period. No visible chips, just spontaneous cracks that are longer the 24 inches and grow quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11511783

I own a 2019 Subaru Outback Touring. This is the second Subaru Outback I have owned. In Aug of 2022, my windshield cracked out of nowhere. The crack came up from the center and spread out across the windshield. I had it replaced at the Subaru dealership in which I bought the car. Everything seemed fine until 12/23/22, when we got some heavy rain and I get in my car only to see water steadily dripping inside via the vehicle the left A-pillar on the front drivers side. I return to the dealer where it turns out that there was a problem with the brand new factory-brand windshield that was replaced in August, and it had been slowly leaking water into my car over those 4 months, resulting in massive damage to the airbag system, electrical system, among other things. These damages came to over $10,500. The water had gathered under my carpets and padding and started growing mold. All of this needed to be replaced. This was the third time I had to replace a windshield on the two Subarus that I have owned. Due to this, I have been without a vehicle for over 60 days now. It has caused me incredible stress, time out of work, and money. I am a caretaker for my paraplegic father who has also suffered due to my being without a vehicle to care for him, run errands, and food shop for him. Throughout my research, I have come to learn that this is a known problem in the Subaru brand vehicles yet they choose to ignore it and do nothing about it. I am not comfortable driving my car any longer, which still has electrical issues and unfortunately, I am losing trust in Subaru as a brand. It is unfortunate that they will not address this and fix this issue because I believe it is damaging their reputation. I have not been left in a good position here, with a junked car that is only 3 years old, 40k miles, and that I owe $15,000 on still, and I now need to find a new vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11510159

Driving 60 mph on freeway in Northern California for about 20 minutes. Ambient temperature about 50 degrees. Drove over a slight dip in road and hear a loud pop and my moonroof glass exploded outward. Moonroof cover was closed so no glass came into interior of vehicle. Moonroof is OEM Subaru (Aisin -Pilkington)

NHTSA ODI 11505726

Unknown randomly cracked one day while parked.

NHTSA ODI 11505409

I'm writing to document an issue regarding a potential windshield malfunction. I know there have been previous lawsuits about the fragility of Subaru windshields, including with the Outback model. Additionally, there are posts about this issue on several auto forums. I've had this car since August 2019 and in three short years I've had to complete the following three repairs: chip to the windshield -- repair (April 2021), crack on windshield -- total replacement (February 2022), and chip to the windshield -- repair (December 2022). Beyond what seems like a statistical anomaly, this high number of windshield repairs also seems very unreasonable for two more reasons: 1) I only have a 15-mile commute two days per week, and 2) I was working at home for months at a time during two COVID shutdowns within this same three-year time period. Each chip/crack has happened while driving, from a point of impact on the windshield; however, this is a new problem since owning this car -- I've had the same commute since 2013 without this issue (previous car was a Mitsubishi Lancer). A windshield that is prone to easy chips and cracking is a clear safety risk, both to myself and to others. My windshield has not been inspected by the dealer, but I know that other windshields of my make/model have been inspected by other dealers and manufacturers. Additionally, the glass repair service that has handled each repair noted that they've also heard of issues with Subarus and that they've seen my car far more often than vehicles of other brands.

NHTSA ODI 11497477