2015 Subaru Outback Visibility Problems

Cracked windshield out of nowhere, starts from the bottom passenger side.

NHTSA ID

11727307

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the front windshield suddenly developed a crack which quickly extended approximately 8 inches horizontally and later extended more than 35 inches across the windshield. The contact stated that the crack began on the passenger’s side and extended to the driver’s side of the windshield. The contact stated that the failure had occurred approximately 15 minutes after having the original windshield replaced after the same failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local service center and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11582157

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

Mileage

71,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded. There was no impact to the sunroof that could have caused the sunroof glass to explode. The shards of glass from the sunroof fell onto the contact, his wife, and his son; however, no injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not received. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the sunroof glass. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11533057

Incident

Jul 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and activating the windshield washer on intermittent mode, he noticed that the windshield was significantly dry as the washer mechanism was not supplying fluid to the windshield at the nozzle. The contact stated that as the failure impaired his visibility of the road, he veered to the side of the road. Upon investigating the failure, the contact discovered a puddle of fluid underneath the driver’s side fender of the vehicle and concluded there was a leak of windshield washer fluid through the windshield washer tubing. The contact manually cleaned the windshield and drove to his residence, where he noticed that the windshield washer tubing was fractured about 6 inches from the point at which it entered the cowl housing located at the base of the windshield. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11516031

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

Mileage

95,000 mi

Around 8 am on 1/4/2022, driving the car on I85 in Durham County, NC, at a normal highway speed, the sunroof glass shattered suddenly and without warning. The sunroof was fully closed at the time, but the inside cover was open. Shards of glass were sprayed within the cabin. This was a dangerous distraction to the driver, and could have been much more serious if he had gotten glass in his eyes from looking up to see what had happened. There was no apparent impact to the sunroof glass from a rock or other object outside the car, and the sunroof was not being opened or closed at the time. We contacted Subaru of America and our local dealer. The car is no longer under warranty, and Subaru refused to cover the cost of repair (though I see online we are not the only ones to have this problem). The local dealer could not perform the repair for another week, so we bought a new sunroof glass and installed it ourselves. There was no apparent damage to the surrounding metal frame or roof. The car and shattered sunroof were not examined by anyone else. I have the damaged sunroof, but was planning to discard it. I am attaching an email we received from Subaru of America, along with photos of the sunroof.

NHTSA ID

11500628

Incident

Jan 4, 2023

My sunroof exploded. Sounded like a gunshot. On the highway, 12/12 1pm. 50+- degrees partly sunny day.

NHTSA ID

11497130

Incident

Dec 12, 2022

Windshield spontaneously cracked. No impact or accident.

NHTSA ID

11466681

Incident

May 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that she noticed that there was a crack on the passenger's side windshield after a small rock struck the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield shouldn't have cracked from such a small rock impacting the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,460.

NHTSA ID

11466233

Incident

May 26, 2022

Mileage

69,460 mi

Subaru Outback windshield cracks again within 2 months after warranty replacement pursuant to windshield settlement agreement. The claimed enhanced windshield from Subaru is exposed to the issue reported from the windshield settlement agreement, and Subaru refused to provide warranty replacement to fix this issue. Carter Subaru replaced my windshield on 02/15/2022. The new windshield placed by Carter Subaru crack on 4/24/2022 while I stop at a restaurant and there is no obvious external influence in my windshield.

NHTSA ID

11463295

Incident

Apr 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, a small rock might have struck the windshield causing a crack on the driver's side of the windshield. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle though the crack was affecting his vision of the roadway. The contact became aware that an unknown manufacturer recall was associated with the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer partially covered the windshield replacement; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11457844

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

Mileage

65,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the front windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11446406

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

Mileage

130,000 mi

Outback 2015 Windshield cracked with no obvious reason even at about 30 mph.

NHTSA ID

11445193

Incident

Dec 25, 2021

The windshield spontaneously cracked at the deicer area. The windshield is available for inspection. The crack has grown and is interfering with visibility. The crack in the deicer part of the windshield is easy to see. I have called and left messages about the cracked windshield for the Subaru service manager at the dealership where we bought the car. The service manager has not returned my calls. I drove the car to the Subaru dealer and showed the crack to the substitute service manager (Brian from Kia). Brian took my name and number and said he would contact the Subaru rep for me. To date, I have not heard from the Subaru rep about the spontaneously cracked windshield. There was no warning that the windshield would crack. I was driving the car on Saturday June 5th when I heard a pop. There was no other traffic on the paved road I was driving on. Noticed a crack low on the windshield starting at the deicer area.

NHTSA ID

11421908

Incident

Jun 5, 2021

My windshield cracked for no reason on June 12, 2021. Large crack took over the left side of the window. Crack kept spreading for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ID

11421143

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

CAR DEVELOPED A 20" CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ALL BY ITSELF. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE WIPER BLADE AND RUNS UP AND OVER TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. I DROVE THE CAR ONE DAY AND THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE. A WEEK LATER I DROVE IT AGAIN AND THE CRACK WAS THERE WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR TO START IT UP. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE IT IS DUE TO SOMETHING WITH THE DEICER MAKING THE WINDSHIELD VERY LIKELY TO CRACK IN THAT AREA. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK BY ITSELF AND I'VE OWNED OR TAKEN CARE OF A DOZEN CARS FOR MY FAMILY OVER 40 YEARS. SUBARU SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL, AS THERE ARE A TON OF REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE.

NHTSA ID

11398416

Incident

Feb 27, 2021

Mileage

18,100 mi

I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE ONE MORNING, AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR LATER THAT DAY, A CRACK DEVELOPED FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK BEGINS CLOSE TO THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, CURVES UP AND AROUND TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THE CRACK ESSENTIALLY DEVELOPED ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ID

11397556

Incident

Feb 9, 2021

Mileage

49,000 mi

A CRACK APPEARED STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND I WATCHED IT MOVE ACROSS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT WAS FAST MOVING. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11395602

Incident

Feb 6, 2021

Mileage

99,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF AN OBJECT MAY HAVE IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CRACK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS IMPACTED BY ANY OBJECTS. THE CRACK STARTED OFF AS A LITTLE LINE HOWEVER, WITHIN MINUTES, THE SMALL LINE WENT HORIZONTAL ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE PASSENGER'S TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DON MILLER SUBARU WEST (5822 ODANA RD, MADISON, WI 53719, (608) 442-3200) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11390208

Incident

Nov 20, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

DROVE CAR TO MONTANA, PARKED IN HOTEL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED INTO THE UPPER 20'S. WHEN WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, WE SAW THAT THERE WAS A 6 INCH CRACK STARTING AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK GREW AS TEMP WARMED DURING THE DAY WITH ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH PROGRESSIVELY GREW THROUGH THE DRIVE BACK TO CA. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN COLD TEMPERATURE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS A SIGN OF A FAULTY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUBARU OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT, AND THAT REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS HAVE ALSO CRACKED.

NHTSA ID

11365830

Incident

Nov 23, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING FROM WINDSHIELD WIPER HEATER LOCATION ON PASSENGER SIDE UP AND OVER TO MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 2 .5 FEET IN LENGTH. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE SO CALLED IMPROVED WINDSHIELD FROM SUBARU. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY , NO STONE CHIP/IMPACT DAMAGE NOTED. AT THE TIME WHEN I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD HEAT I HEARD A CRACK. THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS COLD ABOUT 40 F.THE TEMP INSIDE THE CAR WAS WARM. THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR AND HELPS TO CONTAIN THE AIR BAGS DURING AN IMPACT. THESE WINDSHIELDS APPEAR TO BE TOO FRAGILE OR THIN FOR SAFETY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

11355085

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

53,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK, I NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY HAD A CRACK THAT STARTED AT THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE AND RAN DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 12", NO EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY STONE, ETC.

NHTSA ID

11331954

Incident

Jul 1, 2000

Mileage

52,000 mi

WINDSHIELD CRACKED, STARTING AT HEATING ELEMENT AND GREW TO ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. MFR ADMITTED FAULT (I HAVE DOCUMENTATION) BUT WOULD NOT COVER FULL COST OF REPAIR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN CRACK APPEARED AND HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR SOME TIME DUE TO COVID-19 STAY AT HOME GUIDELINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328454

Incident

Apr 30, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

SUDDEN OVERNIGHT CRACK ALONG THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 2" DOWN FROM THE TOP, FULL WIDTH OF DRIVER'S SIDE. CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON A QUIET RESIDENTIAL STREET, NO IMPACT OR UNUSUAL WEATHER EVENTS.

NHTSA ID

11318244

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

Mileage

61,500 mi

WIND SHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. NO ROCK IMPACT, NO DAMAGE, JUST CRACKED. HORIZONTAL CRACK ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE WIND SHIELD

NHTSA ID

11311669

Incident

Nov 21, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

THIS MORNING I DROVE MY VEHICLE AND NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I CAME HOME AND THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 1.5 HOURS AND WHEN I WENT BACK OUT I NOTICED ABOUT AN 8 INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WITH NO SIGN OF ANY OTHER DAMAGE. IT IS A NICE, CLEAR DAY, AND THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED UNDER A TREE.

NHTSA ID

11311410

Incident

Feb 25, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi