6.2

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$510
Average Mileage:
23,450 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced windshield (9 reports)
  2. replace windshield (6 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
2015 Subaru Outback windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2015 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 252021

Outback LX 3.2lV9

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway and my windshield cracked. I took the car to Subaru dealer and they said it was a rock. A rock doesn't crack the whole windshield. I read a lot of people complaining so I get on the band wagon and put in a complaint. I have trouble with piece of s*t since I bought it. I was in myrtle beach SC. And had a lot of water coming in on passenger side from a vent clogged up. I could have gone trout fishing in the car. I bought a lemon. Will never buy another piece of s* like this.

- thebighurt, Mount Joy Pa, US

problem #15

Jul 122016

Outback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I received a letter explaining there was a recall. However, my dealership stated this "crack" was not in the problem area as described in the recall.

- Debra P., Grand Bay, US

problem #14

Mar 222018

Outback 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 37,146 miles

This is my 3rd replaced windshield in 4 and a half years. The windshields had a recall until Dec 2019 but only if they cracked in a certain spot on the windshield. This one in 2018 was replaced because of the recall.

- Sherri B., centennial, CO, US

problem #13

Jun 242016

Outback 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 17,994 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is my 3rd replaced windshield in 4 and a half years. The windshields had a recall until Dec. 2019 but only if they cracked in a certain spot on the windshield. This one in 2016 was replaced because of the recall.

- Sherri B., centennial, CO, US

problem #12

Oct 012019

Outback 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 54,000 miles

This is my 3rd replaced windshield in 4 and a half years. The windshields had a recall until Dec 2019 but only if they cracked in a certain spot on the windshield.

- Sherri B., centennial, CO, US

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problem #11

May 212019

Outback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracks easily cracks easily cracks easily cracks easily

I purchased this vehicle new in 2014. I have owned a number of vehicles through the years and I have never had to repair a windshield. However, I had to replace this one in my 2015 Subaru Outback. To top it off, I don't even recall anything hitting the windshield. Nonetheless, when I returned to my vehicle--there it was, a large crack that extended from the lower left driver's side to the center right in the line of sight. I just don't understand how this could occur with no visible ding or crack prior to it spiraling out.

- zhaan88, Puyallup, US

problem #10

Jan 212018

Outback Premium 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After 3 years with the car in US, moved to Canada. Next day the windshield cracked. (The insurance here is ridiculous and had to pay CDN $500 out of pocket.)

The workshop here said its very common problem with US Subarus. They have many who move with a Subaru bring the car in for windshield replacement in the first month!

- Viraj K., Surrey, BC, Canada

problem #9

Apr 122018

Outback Limited 2.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 27,340 miles

click to see larger images

cracks easily cracks easily cracks easily cracks easily

There is a US class action already noted on this website about the same model and year. And the dealer and Subaru head office have brushed me off. I do not feel SAFE driving around in a car with cracked windshield. What if a rock or ice hits the windshield now or I am in a crash? The crack is right in front of the passenger side too.

- carolto, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #8

Aug 172016

Outback Limited 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,800 miles

Purchased a new Outback Limited 2015 and had already had several recalls plus other problems before this issue of my front windshield needing to be replaced.

On this issue I drove my Outback from TX back to WA and on the highway apparently a rock hit my windshield without my noticing. A crack started to form in OR. The starting point showed a barely visible tiny chip on the left side of the windshield and rapidly lengthened 6 inches and was moving to the right and upwards and almost to the middle of the windshield from OR to WA. While parked in the driveway the crack continued to lengthen, moving to the far right of the windshield. All in all the crack was almost 3 feet long. A previous recall stated the glass was defective and too brittle. I've had rocks hit my previous Toyota and never cracked the windshield like this yet, when I took the 2015 Outback to the dealership they said it did not originate low enough on the windshield to be considered a defect due to recall. My insurance paid for it, but clearly the glass was defective. I see several other people have had similar problems with their 2015 Subaru Outback's front windshield

Currently my moon roof will not open requiring another trip to the dealership next week. I'm now researching other cars and am seriously considering trading my car in my 2 year old Subaru and getting another Toyota!!

Update from Jun 19, 2017: I purchased my 2015 Outback Limited on 3/2/2015. Besides routine car maintenance at the Subaru dealership, over the last 2.25 years I've had to return 5 times for car problems, 2 of which were due to recalls. This model 2015 Outback has had 4 recalls to date (6/18/2017). I've had 7 issues in all and there are still several more problems I need to take up with Subaru.

The first winter after purchasing the Outback there were 2 occasions the car would not start during cold weather and it had to be jump started both times. The Subaru dealership said I was not driving it enough and as a solution instructed me to start it up more often and take the long way home from the grocery store. On 8/16 the following summer a recall was issued addressing the inability to start the engine when the outside temps were freezing and below. After Subaru replaced the ignition relays (per recall) I had no problem starting the engine the following winter which was much colder than the previous winter and NO I didn't take the long way home.

The 2nd incident was ridiculous. I needed gas in my Outback and pulled into a gas station, flipped the toggle inside the car to open the gas tank door, walked around to the gas tank and the door was jammed closed. I was there at least 15 mins going back and forth trying the inside toggle thinking I must have forgot to flip it open. Finally it was obvious it wasn't the toggle inside the car but the door itself was jammed closed. I trying to pry it open with a credit card, but it was firmly stuck. Another trip to the Subaru dealership. Apparently the wrong size fuel cup saucer assembly was used at the plant. Subaru replaced the assembly--problem solved.

Fast forward 5 months to 5/16/2016 the first really warm day of the season when I turn on the AC for the first time. Hot air was blowing through the vents. It took me a few minutes to fiddle with the buttons and realize I had no AC. By then I was miserably hot, drenched with sweat and not happy. I called the Subaru dealership and they got me in fast. Again, the plant installed the wrong size o-rings and all the coolant liquid leaked out. Three new o-rings of correct size corrected this problem.

Two months later on I had to get a new front windshield. A crack started on the drivers side and I watched as it snaked across to the passenger side in a matter of days. The crack grew 6 inches overnight while sitting in the driveway. The Subaru dealership claimed it was a rock, but I had my doubts. As of 6/16/2017 there is a class action law suit in progress against Subaru for defective windshields. Apparently I am not the only one with a cracked windshield. A recall of sorts was issued but Subaru mandates they will only replace the glass if it is in the lower section of the windshield. The crack in my windshield was mid way up and snaked upwards. I never saw or felt a rock.

I've also had intermittent problems opening the lift gate using the button inside the car. Often I give up trying to open it after several attempts and end up using the back seat to transport my gear and/or groceries. I still don't know what the problem is and have ignored the issue and adapted. I just needed a break from the frequent long trips to the dealership that end of taking eating up an entire day. I also had problems opening the front passenger window using the controls on drivers side. This went on for weeks. I called the Subaru Dealership service department and the first person was useless. Finally, days later someone called me and told me how to reset that window and so far, it works.

It is a little tricky backing out of the driveway because of 2 foot cement wall runs along the driveway not far from the passenger side of the Outback. I have to be very careful because the driveway is on a slight hill and an odd shape (not a rectangle) and with another car parked next to me. To avoid hitting the cement wall along side the Outback I have to s-l-o-w-l-y back out. When backing out of the driveway the engine hesitates then surges backward without any gas. I then break and then ever so gently let up on the breaks then the engine surges backward then again I break. I end up inching my way backwards out of the driveway rocking back and forth. If any neighbors are looking on at the spectacle they could easily think I'm intoxicated it looks so ridiculous. Because of the strange surge of the engine when in reverse I don't dare parallel park for fear of crashing into another car. I'm not sure if this is "surge" is normal or not. I hear other people say it is also problematic for them so yet another issue to discuss this the Subaru Dealership next week.

Most recently we finally had a sunny day after weeks of rain. I tried to open the moonroof for a little sun and fresh air and.....SURPRISE!!!!! The moonroof is dead. It will not open or tilt. So, another hour trip both ways to the closest Subaru dealership this week.

By this time the joy and confidence of owning a new car has long been completely shattered. The main reason I sold my 20 year old Toyota Camry and purchased this new Outback in the first place was to have a safe, reliable car with no worries of breakdown or frequent trips to the mechanic for many years. After spending countless hours of research to buy this particular car and the additional time and mileage to and from the dealership dealing with one problem after another, it appears I would have been better off keeping my old Camry. My 2015 Outback has now only 18,100 miles and I'm back to the time consuming task of researching other makes and models for trade. I never thought I'd say it but, I would love to have my 20 year old Camry back from the people I sold it to.

- katinahat, Longview, WA, US

problem #7

Jan 092017

Outback Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

Sunday afternoon washed car, cleaned glass, no obvious defects, put car in garage. Monday afternoon, remove car and immediately notice an approx. 18 inch crack on passenger side windshield. No discernible cause; recall nothing hitting windshield. Service manager at dealership " . . . Point of impact (which might have been large enough for three grains of sand)' . . . Temperature variations . . . ". Predictably, denies knowing Subaru has had numerous complaints or is aware of problem.

Had it efficiently replaced same day by private vendor, not Subaru. Also, did not have OEM replacement as that is obviously faulty. One of the reasons they're aren't more complaints re this problem is that many comprehensive insurance policies carry no deductible coverage for glass replacement/repair.

Still love my Subaru, but, come on . . . Put a windshield on it that hummingbird spit won't crack.

- pabst, Terre Haute, IN, US

problem #6

Nov 192015

Outback Limited 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,299 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This was the second windshield crack within 9 months of new car purchase. Received a notice from Subaru that windshield cracking at Deicer was due to a factory defect so it was repaired without charge. But I had to make two trips to the Dealership. In the first visit, I had to wait 5 hours for windshield repair, then the second trip I had to wait 5 hours for them to re-calibrate the EyeSight.

- liangtx, Kingwood, TX, US

problem #5

Apr 022015

Outback Limited 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,285 miles

It's very disappointing to have a windshield crack happened on a 2-month NEW car.

- liangtx, Kingwood, TX, US

problem #4

May 072016

Outback Limited 2.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

click to see larger images

cracks easily

This is my third windshield crack within 15 months of purchasing a new 2015 Subaru Outback. Subaru refused to replace the windshield free this time because they said the last replaced windshield was the "enhanced" windshield. Well, the enhanced windshield has exactly the same problem as the original. Any small ding in the deicer area will crack the windshield. but if the ding happens in other areas, the windshield won't crack. I talked to Subaru national office about the problem. They said they can't do anything unless they find other people also complain about the cracking problem with their "enhanced" windshield. So if you have the same problem, please report it.

- liangtx, Kingwood, TX, US

problem #3

May 012016

Outback Touring 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 23,612 miles

My windshield looks like a shattered mirror from a house of horrors. Never had a windshield crack in so many places.

- Bill M., Edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #2

Sep 062015

Outback Limited 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 9,500 miles

One more windshield in less than a year and this will be the last Subaru I will ever buy!

- Mike C., Farmington, UT, US

problem #1

Apr 302015

Outback Limited 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 2,000 miles

smallest pebble will cause this windshield to crack

Subaru outback 2015 windshield with eyesight SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

create a better product/build a better windshield

- Mike C., Farmington, UT, US

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