2017 Subaru Legacy window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY/WIPER

My 2017 Legacy is on it's 3rd windshield this year. I had impact damage on July 17th, had it replaced the first week of August, and it cracked without impact damage in October. Subaru refused to replace it under warranty and it was replaced through insurance in December. The genuine Subaru replacement windshields for 2015-2019 Legacy and Outback models appear to be defective and this should be investigated.

NHTSA complaint #11704141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was heard, and then a crack formed from the bottom of the windshield without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced another time. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred after she started the vehicle. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11517944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Driving on the highway all of a sudden my windshield cracked. It was due to stress nothing hit the window

NHTSA complaint #11474247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield on this vehicle cracked for no reason.

NHTSA complaint #11469539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield glass cracks very easily from rocks. In the last year I’ve had 7 cracks form. I’ve never had this trouble with any other vehicle including a 2012 Subaru that I own and drive just as much. This impairs my vision and decreases the windshield integrity. I have claimed all windshield through my insurance and it has been very expensive. The only glass I can replace the windshields with is Subaru glass. The quality is very poor. I will upload the 2 most recent cracks.

NHTSA complaint #11465664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Crack appeared starting from below the passenger windshield wiper on the windshield out of the blue, while sitting in driveway.

NHTSA complaint #11456522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The original windshield cracked starting at the bottom left corner and quickly spread across the entire window. I went to Subaru and paid to replace the window. Within 2 weeks the window had cracked again and spread across the entire window.

NHTSA complaint #11455878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Because my wife works from home the car sat in the driveway for over a week and when she went out to use the car she noticed the windshield was cracked.

NHTSA complaint #11453588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK IS IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD JUST ABOVE THE DEFROSTER. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET LONG WITH 2 PERPENDICULAR CRACKS RADIATING FROM IT. I AM CONTACTING THE SUBARU DEALER FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11449866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield cracked in the bottom left corner

NHTSA complaint #11446861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The windshield formed a crack towards the bottom of the passenger side and was about 3-5inches to start. Over time, the crack grew to approximately over 1ft. Later on, another crack began forming on the drivers side of the windshield, also starting at only a few inches, and now has grown into almost 1ft long. Am in process of looking to have it repaired, but have not set a date yet. Having a cracked windshield is an overall safety risk any time you drive the car due to it's ability to impact visibility as it grows/becomes worse. The windshield has not yet been inspected by: manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, but has been seen during State Inspection. There were no warnings/messages/symptoms before seeing the crack - They first appeared a day or two after I had recently had my car's oil changed at an autobody shop. My friend noticed it when sitting in the car when we got in at my driveway. There are no signs of malicious or accidental damage present where the crack begins, and no signs of a dent from a rock chipping the windshield.

NHTSA complaint #11435016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

HAD VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE WITH NO CHIPS OR CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD.NEXT MORNING WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED.CRACKS APPEARED FROM BEHIND MIRROR OUTWARD.CHECKED FOR ANY CHIPS NONE WERE FOUND.NO REASON FOR GLASS TO CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #11407468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I NOTICE A CRACK GROWING LONGER ON MY FRONT WINDOW.. ITJUST APPEARED NOTHING HIT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11399600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

OUR CAR'S WINDSHIELD HAS HAD MANY RANDOM CRACKS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, 4 TIMES NOW WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS CRACKS MORE SO THAN IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. TODAY WE FOUND A NEW CRACK TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, AS LARGE AS MY PALM GOING TWO SEPARATE WAYS AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN WE NOTICED THIS, IT WAS ONLY UNTIL AFTER IT WAS PARKED DID WE SEE THIS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE MODEL OF THIS CAR AND AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY IF IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #11398031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT LOW SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #11396258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. SUBARU DOESN'T RECOGNIZE LEGACY AS PART OF THE WINDSHIELD ISSUE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $1000+ WITHOUT ANY SUPPORT FROM SUBARU ON A KNOWN ISSUE. THE CRACK STARTED FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC COVER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11394804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I WENT TO MY GARAGE, I HADN'T DRIVEN THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS SO I THOUGHT POSSIBLY EXTREME HEAT OR HUMIDITY MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. IT SEEMED UNUSUAL BUT I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER EXPLANATION SINCE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE & THE CRACK WAS IN A VERY NOTICEABLE SPOT. I CALLED SUBARU TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11386390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON HWY 75 IN IDAHO ON A SLUSHY MORNING AND A STATE PLOW TRUCK DRIVING SOUTH WAS THROWING SAND ON THE ROAD AND WHEN HE DROVE PAST THE SAND HE WAS THROWING CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD. NOW MY WINDSHIELD HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND IS IMPEDING MY VISION.

NHTSA complaint #11386440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TWO SEVERE WINDSHIELD CRACKING INCIDENTS WITHIN 18 MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BOTH TIMES ON A STRAIGHT SURFACE IN GOOD WEATHER AND MAY HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY A SMALL STONE BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I NOTICED A BARELY VISIBLE DING THAT TURNED INTO A SPREADING CRACK WITHIN A FEW DAYS AND MADE REPLACEMENT OF WINDSHIELD MANDATORY. 18 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING. A TINY IMPACT ON THE GLASS SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS SEEMS VERY THIN AND FRAGILE. BECAUSE OF EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY, I CANNOT HAVE IT REPAIRED AT ANY OTHER PROVIDER BUT THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #11354986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JULY, 2019 WITH ABOUT 40,000 MILES. WITHIN TWO WEEKS, I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT TWO MORE TIMES SINCE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE CRACKING BUT IT MADE IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE EACH TIME. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY IF THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING OR NOT. IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE UNTIL ENTERING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, BUT IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE MOVING AND IT JUST WASN'T NOTICED. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES IN ABOUT 14 MONTHS. JULY, 2019, APRIL 2020, AND SEPTEMBER 2020.

NHTSA complaint #11353798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WHILE PARKED IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A LONG CRACK. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IMPACTED BY ANY OBJECT.

NHTSA complaint #11337922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GARCIA SUBARU NORTH (6401 SAN MATEO BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT A ROCK SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #11331491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO REASON AT ALL, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT AND SAID ITS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD AND WOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE IN 2 YEARS, THE OTHER 2 WHERE FROM A SMALL ROCK. I WORKED AT SUBARU FOR 2 YEARS AND THEY BY FAR HAVE THE WORST WINDSHIELDS ON THE MARKET. I HAD PEOPLE COMPLAIN ALL THE TIME AND I HAD TO LIE TO THEM AND SAY IT'S JUST BAD LUCK AND EVERY MANUFACTURER OUT THERE HAS THE SAME ISSUES. WELL IF YOU HAVE EYESIGHT IT WILL COST YOU AROUND 700 BUCKS TO REPLACE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO RE-CALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT EVERY TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11329520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

ON A COLD DAY WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, A LOUD CRACK WAS HEARD. NO DEBRIS WAS SEEN, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK SPREAD QUICKLY AND IN MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS. SINCE THE CRACKS ARE SO SEVERE AFTER NO OBSERVABLE IMPACT, A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD IS SUSPECTED. THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE WITHIN A TWO WEEK SPAN.

NHTSA complaint #11323554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. I WAS STATIONARY AT THE LIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A "U" SHAPED CRACK APPEARS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE WIPERS. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER WHICH WAS ABOUT 45 SECONDS. THE CRACK SPREAD HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE GLASS.

NHTSA complaint #11318330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I PARKED MY CAR AT THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR 3DAYS. ATER MY TRIP, I FOUND OUT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN ALL OF SURDDEN WITH NO REASONS. SO I CLAIMED INSURANCE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHILELD.

NHTSA complaint #11318083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 DUE TO A CRACK THAT DEVELOPED FROM THE BASE RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW AND IT SLOWLY WORKED IT'S WAY UP THE GLASS. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO IMPACT ZONE FROM ANYTHING HITTING IT AS THE CRACK SEEMED TO START AT THE VERY BOTTOM WITH A SINGLE CRACK THAT RAN TO JUST BELOW THE DASH LEVEL. I FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK CREEPING INTO VISIBILITY IN THE SPRING TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT ON A ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MPH. IN THE TIME I HAD TO WAIT TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED, THE CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW REGARDLESS IF I WAS IN MOTION OR IF THE CAR WAS PARKED

NHTSA complaint #11318074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY ACROSS FROM THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE ACROSS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TURNING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AT 60 MPH. INITIALLY OCCURRED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND GREW OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS. HASN'T GROWN NOTICEABLY SINCE THEN.

NHTSA complaint #11317925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

A GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED FOR WINDSHIELD QUALITY ISSUES ON THE 2015-2019 SUBARU LEGACY AND OUTBACK GENERATION. THERE APPEAR TO BE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING SPONTANEOUS LARGE CRACKS ORIGINATING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DE-ICER AREA THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NHTSA DATABASE FOR THIS ENTIRE GENERATION OF VEHICLES. PER SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 12-192-15R / NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10093903 ("SERVICE BULLETIN"), AN ALLEGEDLY IMPROVED WINDSHIELD WAS USED FOR THE LEGACY AND OUTBACK MODELS AFTER THE 2016 MODEL YEAR. HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA AND CURRENT LEGAL ACTIONS SHOW THAT SUBARU HAS CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO HOLD ITS GLASS SUPPLIER ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULTY WINDSHIELDS. THE ORIGIN OF THE LARGE CRACK ON MY LEGACY'S WINDSHIELD IS ACTUALLY UNDERNEATH WHERE THE WIPER BLADE SITS AND AS SUCH COULD NOT HAVE ORIGINATED FROM A BULLS EYE, STAR, OR COMBINATION IMPACT WHILE DRIVING. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY PERIOD. BASED ON THE LOCATION AND NATURE OF THE CRACK, I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE CORRESPONDS WITH THE WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. WHILE CLASS ACTIONS ARE HELPFUL IN POTENTIALLY RECOVERING MONETARY DAMAGES TO HARMED CONSUMERS, THEY CAN MOVE SLOWLY AND NOT RESULT IN FULL ACCOUNTABILITY. GOVERNMENT ACTION IS REQUIRED HERE TO PROMPTLY FORCE SUBARU TO HOLD ITS SUPPLIER ACCOUNTABLE AND PROTECT DRIVERS FROM COMPROMISED WINDSHIELD GLASS. IN A DISAPPOINTING COMMUNICATION, SUBARU OF AMERICA ALSO TOLD ME THAT SHOULD THEY DETERMINE NO WARRANTY COVERAGE APPLIED, I SHOULD CONSIDER CONTACTING MY INSURER. IN OTHER WORDS, IT'D BE BETTER FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS TO FILE FRAUDULENT INSURANCE CLAIMS RATHER THAN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAULTY WINDSHIELDS.

NHTSA complaint #11308896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THE SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, I AM ON MY 4TH WINDSHIELD. THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR PLUS 3 REPLACEMENTS. THE LAST REPLACEMENT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO AND NOW I HAVE ANOTHER CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD AS OF TODAY. NOT ONLY IS IT DANGEROUS TO HAVE THIS KEEP HAPPENING, ITS COSTING ME MORE MONEY WHEN MY INSURANCE IS JACKING UP MY RATES EACH YEAR FOR HAVING TO PUT CLAIMS IN. IT'S MAKING ME TAKE TIME OFF FROM AND IT'S RIDICULOUS. APPARENTLY I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING AN ISSUE. THE WINDSHIELDS ARE DEFECTIVE! I'M 52 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I'M 17 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE ON TO WINDSHIELD #5. THE NEW CHIP HAPPENED TODAY AND I DON'T REMEMBER HEARING ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #11308873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.