Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) Quality Assurance has identified an increase in the number of cracked windshields on some 2015 and 2016MY Legacy and Outback models. SOA has now further extended the warranty to 8 years / unlimited miles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Legacy visibility problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 15 visibility complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Windshield Extension parameter changes
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosing and repairing customer concerns of a âpoppingâ or âsnappingâ -type sound heard when opening the sunroof. The sound may occur when the rear portion of the glass lid weatherstrip contacts or catches the roof frame when the sunroof is opened.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ⢠Power windows inoperative from the driverâs door master and / or passenger front door switch ⢠Unable to remotely operate other door windows from the driverâs door master switch ⢠One-Touch Auto Up / Down features inoperative from either / both front door switches"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe windshield cracks appearing without any visible chip or impact damage, often starting at the bottom center or edges and spreading rapidly over days while the vehicle sits parked. Multiple owners report the same crack developing again in the identical location after Subaru replaces the windshield, suggesting a systemic issue rather than road debris. Several cracks spread from the bottom near the windshield wiper or defrost area, and owners note these cracks extend further than they've seen with windshields in other vehicles they owned.
One owner reported 50-plus small chips appearing in the windshield within the first 300 miles of ownership, with repeated "stone hit" sounds during light driving despite no identifiable cause.
Separately, owners with the 2016 Legacy report that the high-gloss navigation screen and glossy air-conditioning vent finishes reflect sunlight directly into drivers' eyes at certain angles during daylight driving, creating blinding conditions. One owner stated needing to place a towel over the area to drive safely. A dealer's attempt to tint windows only provided temporary relief before the reflection problem returned.
Subaru acknowledged defect reports and opened case numbers, but dealers generally attributed cracks to impact and recommended owner-paid replacement. EyeSight recalibration added $700 to repair costs for equipped vehicles.
Same Subaru Legacy visibility reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracking
Cracks appear without visible impact or chip, often originating from bottom center or edge areas, spreading rapidly over days or weeks while vehicle is parked or during normal driving. Multiple owners report cracks appearing overnight or with no identifiable cause.
When: Low to moderate mileage (33,200–44,000 miles noted); within weeks to months of purchase; some recur after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Crack originates from bottom center or bottom edge of windshield; Crack spreads rapidly (tripling in size within a day, or extending over several days); No visible chip or impact damage at crack origin; Cracks occur while vehicle is parked overnight or stationary; Recurring cracks in same location after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement windshield and EyeSight recalibration where equipped; owner reported costs around $700–$1,100 for glass and calibration; Subaru dealer recommended owner-paid replacement at body shop; some owners report replacement windshields crack again in same location
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru opened case numbers for investigation; dealer stated cracks attributed to impact events; manufacturer did not cover under warranty on some claims; owner notes indicate selective repair approach by manufacturer
Windshield chipping
Multiple small chips appear in windshield with minimal or no apparent external cause, occurring repeatedly during light city driving and highway use.
When: Early ownership (fewer than 300 miles on vehicle, or shortly after purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: 50 or more small chips appear in windshield; Repeated impact sounds during city and highway driving; Chips occur with no identified foreign object strike; Occurs across different driving conditions (city traffic, toll roads)
Gloss finish reflection causing vision obstruction
High-gloss navigation screen and vent finishes reflect sunlight into driver's eyes at certain angles, creating temporary blinding conditions during daylight driving.
When: Occurs during daylight hours when sun is present; mileage 33,200 noted in one complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Sun reflection from high-gloss navigation screen into driver's eyes; Sun reflection from glossy vent finishes causing blinding condition; Obstruction of road view on several occasions; Issue persists even after dealer window tinting attempted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted temporary fix by tinting windows, but issue recurred; no permanent repair resolution noted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of issue
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
On 2019-11-30 while driving on highway, the driver heard a sudden sound and a crack appeared on the windshield. The crack appeared to originate from the center bottom of the windshield, rise upward about a foot, then toward passenger side a few inches. Over the course of the next few days the crack became longer toward passenger side, while parked overnight. On 2019-12-03 vehicle owner called…
High gloss navigation screen and high gloss finish on vents reflect sun at certain angles and result in sun being reflected into drivers eyes causing a blinding condition. This happens when driving during daylight when sun is out. This is a severe and significant safety issue. I have driven subarus for years and just got the 2016 legacy. Have never had this problem with any other vehicle. Have…
Within a month of purchasing brand new, my 2016 legacy developed a massive crack at the bottom of the windshield near the defrost. I replaced the windshield with a new Subaru windshield only to have it crack again in a different place within a few months. I contacted Subaru as there is a known problem with the windshields on the early 2016 models and they refused to assist.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that the windshield was cracked near the windshield wiper. Carter Subaru shoreline (17225 aurora ave n, seattle, wa 98133; (206) 542-1166) was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate…
Had visibility trouble with your 2016 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2016 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 23,700 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,700; a quarter make it past 67,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.