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

Three cracked windshields, according to the service personnel the windshield on this vehicle is thin, Subaru was aware of it, but has done nothing about it. Subaru cover the cost of the first windshield and the part that was not covered by insurance on the second one. Now it’s out of warranty and I’m sure the windshield will be out of pocket and it’s well over $1000. The first crack was for no apparent reason, but the second and third one did appear that there was some type of chip in the windshield. I question if the glass is thin how safe can it be?

NHTSA ODI 11468904

The windshield of my Subaru Outback just cracked spontaneously and it needed to be replaced. Subaru of America is not paying for the replacement even if it is not my fault that it cracked. They said it is out of warranty but there is an ongoing class action suit against them about this

NHTSA ODI 11467397

My windshield cracked in February 2022 while parked and was replaced with a new Subaru windshield under warranty in February 2022. After having the windshield replaced, it cracked again in May 2022, with the crack propagating from the same spot at the base of the wiper blade on the driver's side windshield. The windshield glass failed. It was available for inspection at Safelite and Subaru upon request. Disagreement between myself and Subaru and Safelite as to cause. The main crack is a stress crack, which started from the base of the windshield and propagated towards the center of the windshield. There is a small radial fracture, which seems to be around a jog in the main fracture, possibly where there was a local stress field change in the glass around the intermittent tip of the propagating fracture. Subaru and Safelite claim it is an impact fracture because of the small radial/conchoidal fracture. However, a) I did not witness an impact while driving when the crack initiated, b) the same type of conchoidal/radial fracture can occur due to localized stress field changes in the damage zone ahead of a propagating fracture tip, 3) and the main fracture can then continue to propagate through the damage zone, as it seemed to do in my windshield. The fracture deviates slightly at the radial point, suggesting the radial nature is due to a local stress field change rather than an impact. Furthermore, the intersection of the crack with the molding at the base of the windshield is in almost an identical location to the February 2022 crack, which occurred while my car was parked and had no impact. Even if there was a minor impact, the crack propagating at the same location at the base of the windshield is statistically unlikely unless there is an issue with the glass. Safety of myself and others was put at risk by reducing visibility. No warnings or other signs of failure occurred prior to the windshield failure.

NHTSA ODI 11465349

Windshield loud pop then cracked feom bottom up.

NHTSA ODI 11464514

Windshields have severely cracked three different times with no apparent reasons - twice while driving and once while sitting in the garage overnight. First two times were replaced with OEM windshield, just happened for third time so I am researching options. Cracks are major and in drivers sight-lines. Not sure if they could be affecting the automated safety features cameras. Each replacement requires safety systems recalibration and opportunity for error.

NHTSA ODI 11463720

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the windshield cracked while being parked in a shaded area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the windshield was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred and spread. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463484

Window cracked for no apparent reason. No chip or star. Crack is originated from bommot black area and went up to middle. Then across both left and right side

NHTSA ODI 11462080

A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY. IT SURROUNDS THE SUBARU EYSIGHT SYSTEM. I SUSPECT IT COULD BE A FLAW RELATING TO THIS EYESIGHT CAMERA. THERE ARE APPARENTLY 2 LAWSUITS ABOUT DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS IN THE 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT ARE PENDING.

NHTSA ODI 11462096

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that his wife had parked the vehicle, and when she returned observed that the windshield had cracked in the middle of the windshield starting under the rearview mirror. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an impact had cracked the windshield. The contact said his wife observed that the crack had spread when she arrived at the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11461674

The battery has continued to discharge and today it was dead. Accepted a jump to start however I'm not sure it will hold a charge. I understand that battery drain is a common problem. I am also on my third windshield and this seems strange, unon investigating a see where other owners have reported windshield problems.

NHTSA ODI 11459918

While driving on a smooth city street the windshield cracked out of nowhere. No bumps or pot holes were hit or run over when it happened and nothing landed on the windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11456674

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that she noticed that there were cracks on the windshield after a rock had struck the windshield. The windshield had previously been replaced twice by an auto glass company for the same issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11455685

I own a Subaru Outback 2019, and am based out of Chicago. The car was parked outside during a snowfall. After snowfall I went out to clear the snow off my car, and turned on the defoggers of the car to help clear out the snow on the windshield. After brushing off the snow I noticed a huge crack on the lower part of the windshield across the windshield wiper deicer. There was no other probable cause for the crack. I believe it is the change in temperature when from using the defogger which has caused the windshield to crack. Subaru dealership denies that it is possible, and claims that I was somehow responsible for the crack.

NHTSA ODI 11454742

I was driving on paved road, clear conditions, no other traffic, sunny, temperature around 10 F. Without warning, my front windshield cracked. There was no impact of any kind. The crack starts about 6 inches to the right of the driver's side A-post, about 6 inches above the dashboard. It extends horizontally about 2 feet and then curves down to the dashboard. There is no immediate hazard, but clearly any compromise to the front windshield represents a potential hazard. I am currently working with the dealership to resolve the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11454526

We purchased our 2019 Subaru in 2018, before the New Year from the showroom floor. We will now have had to replace the windshield twice. Once in October 30, 2019 in which the dealership said that it was too no fault of Subaru, and now today February 22, 2022, the windshield is cracked again from the passenger side towards the middle. This has been a costly expense for us as we are retired. The little round spot you see is from the light of the flash.

NHTSA ODI 11453540

Came out of Home Depot on Sunday February 13, 2022 to find large crack in our 2019 Subaru Outback windshield on drivers side for no reason. This spontaneous cracking happened on this same vehicle on Feb.20, 2021 on the previous windshield but on the passengers side and I reported it to NHTSA ID # 11397305. Had it replaced last year and now same issue with spontaneous cracking. Clearly these Subaru OEM windshields are defective and they are very expensive not to mention extra cost of eyesight recalibration on them. I am attaching photos but hard to get whole crack accurately as it originates from the very edge of the windshield and radiates across.

NHTSA ODI 11451945

The windshield has cracked from the outer edge while sitting in the driveway. There was no initiating damage from where the crack started. I see online that there are concers with the integrity of the windshield and am concerned.

NHTSA ODI 11451385

Windshield durability is questioned. We have had a large crack form near the rearview mirror stem within 3 months of our purchase we have had more than a half dozen other crips and cracks occur during the past 18 months. My impression is the glass used in this vehicle, is not as durable as other windshields from other vehicle manufacturers. I understand other Subaru owners are reporting similar issues. The cost to replace the windshield is plus or minus $1,000. Please look into this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11450391

Front windshield developed an 8" crack in one day that continues to grow. Crack is near one front-facing camera, leading to concern that safety features related to the camera may not be effective. Dealer acknowledges a number of complaints about windshield cracking, but will not cover in this case due to it failing a "pen-head" check. In 40+ years of car ownership, I've never seen a crack just take off like this, even from a rock chip, leading me to believe there is a design or manufacturing issue

NHTSA ODI 11449792

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that his vehicle was parked outside of his residence, and there were no issues with the vehicle. The following day while driving the vehicle he noticed that the windshield was cracked. The contact stated that no object had struck the windshield to cause the crack. The contact stated that the vehicle was still drivable however, he was concerned that the windshield might eventually shatter while driving. The local dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could be repaired out of pocket. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11448678

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, a crack developed at the center of the front windshield. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but on 12/24/2021, he had experienced the failure for a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447280

I have a large crack that started below my field of vision on the passenger side.

NHTSA ODI 11446762

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact noticed that the windshield was cracked from the middle going upward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11446283

CRACKED WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ODI 11446211

Windshield cracked overnight in garage without any driving or other incident Crack is over 12 inches long

NHTSA ODI 11445521