5,253 complaints filed with NHTSA describe a cracked windshield. 2,988 of them, 57%, are about a Subaru.
Windshields crack on every car, usually because a stone hits them. Those rarely reach a federal safety regulator. These complaints are different: three in ten say there was no impact at all, with phrases like "for no reason", "on its own" or "no rock".
| Model | Cracked windshield complaints | Per 1,000 complaints about the model |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 1,465 | 179 |
| Subaru Forester | 840 | 138 |
| Kia Telluride | 236 | 118 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 213 | 189 |
| Subaru Legacy | 179 | 65 |
| Honda Element | 154 | 146 |
| Subaru Impreza | 153 | 64 |
| Subaru Ascent | 123 | 121 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 117 | 49 |
By rate, more than one Outback complaint in six and almost one Crosstrek complaint in five is about the windshield. That is twice the share the CVT takes of the Nissan Rogue's record.
Which years
| Model year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 305 |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 301 |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | 290 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 218 |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | 217 |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 207 |
The cluster runs from the 2017 to the 2022 model years. By filing date, complaints peaked in 2020 with 991 and have fallen every year since, to 153 so far in 2026.
A new-car problem
This is not glass wearing out. Where owners gave a mileage, the median is 8,000 miles, and a quarter reported the crack before 3,200. The typical car was a year old.
One complaint in five says the windshield had already been replaced, and one in ten says the new one cracked again. The median quoted cost is $847. On a Subaru it is rarely just the glass: the EyeSight driver-assistance cameras are mounted behind the windshield and have to be recalibrated after a replacement, which comes up in one Subaru complaint in ten.
Why it matters beyond the bill
Crashes are rare in these complaints, at 1.7% against 5.75% overall, but the windshield does more than keep the wind out. It contributes to roof strength in a rollover and gives the passenger airbag something to push against. A crack across the driver's line of sight is also a failed inspection in many states.
Glass is normally covered by comprehensive insurance, often with a lower deductible than other claims, so check your policy before paying a shop yourself.
Buying a used Subaru of these years
Look along the bottom edge and corners of the windshield for hairline cracks, since that is where most of these start. Ask whether the glass has been replaced, whether it was factory glass, and whether the camera was recalibrated afterwards. On the test drive, check that the lane and collision warnings behave normally.
The full Outback complaint record shows how big a share of this generation's problems is glass, and a VIN check covers recalls and history.
Frequently asked questions
Do Subaru windshields crack easily?
Subarus account for 2,988 of 5,253 NHTSA complaints about cracked windshields, 57%. The Outback (1,465) and Forester (840) lead, with the 2019 and 2020 model years worst. More than one Outback complaint in six concerns the windshield.
Why do windshields crack without a rock chip?
Three in ten of these complaints report no impact. Many describe cracks starting at the bottom edge or a corner, which usually points to stress in the glass or its mounting rather than damage. The complaints don't establish a single cause.
How much does a Subaru windshield replacement cost?
Complaints quote a median of $847. On Subarus with EyeSight the forward cameras sit behind the windshield and need recalibration after replacement, which adds cost. Glass is usually covered by comprehensive insurance.
Denis Kataev is a serial solopreneur and the founder of ForCar. With 15+ years in software engineering and 10 years in SEO, he builds data-driven products end to end — backed by a sharp eye for design. At ForCar he mines proprietary vehicle datasets, turning raw numbers into buying advice you can actually trust.
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