This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Legacy visibility problems
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 33 visibility complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 33 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Visibility accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
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.
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 ↗This Service Information bulletin provides a guideline to use for placement of required or mandated windshield stickers (inside and / or outside) on vehicles equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and High Beam Assist (HBA) features. Examples of these types of stickers include: * Government facility / Military base access stickers * State-mandated Vehicle Safety Inspection and Emission Compliance stickers * Parking Permit Stickers The cameras used by both of these features require a clear, unobstructed "view" through the windshield for their proper operation. The illustration below shows the "Prohibited area" in gray. Any stickers mandated to be placed within the Prohibited area sho
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW WHEN RECEIVING A CUSTOMER CONCERN REGARDING OPERATION OF THEIR POWER WINDOW AUTO-UP AND/OR AUTO-DOWN FEATURE. TESTING OF RETURNED POWER WINDOW SWITCH ASSEMBLIES HAS REVEALED THE VAST MAJORITY ARE NOT FAILED AS CLAIMED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2017 Legacy owners consistently report windshield cracking without observable impact. Cracks originate from bottom edges—passenger side, driver side, near the de-icer, under wipers, or above the defroster—and spread rapidly across the glass in multiple directions. Many owners never heard or felt a rock strike. Cracks appear while the vehicle sits parked in garages or driveways for days, and they continue growing even when the car is not driven.
One owner on his fourth windshield says the latest replacement lasted three weeks before developing a new chip. Another owner reports three replacements in 14 months. A third had the original windshield crack, then the replacement crack at the same spot within one year—a pattern several owners describe. Multiple owners note no impact marks, chips, or dents at the crack origin, ruling out typical rock damage.
One complaint ties extreme thermal stress to glass brittleness: outside temperature above 88°F while running air conditioning at 68°F caused even minor strikes to shatter the windshield severely. A sunroof also spontaneously broke while driving.
Subaru's Service Bulletin 12-192-15R supposedly addressed the 2016+ models with "improved" glass, yet complaints continue. Dealers sometimes acknowledge the windshield is defective and replace it free; others attribute all cracks to rocks and demand insurance claims. When covered by EyeSight calibration, replacement costs owners $700+ if done at the dealer, and independent shops cannot be used.
Same Subaru Legacy visibility reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracking without visible impact
Windshield develops large cracks with no evidence of rock strike, road debris, or collision. Cracks often originate from bottom edges (passenger or driver side, near de-icer, under wipers, or near defroster), spread rapidly, and grow over days even when vehicle is parked. Some owners report loud popping or cracking noise; others discover cracks when entering vehicle. Multiple complaints note absence of impact marks, chips, or dings at crack origin point.
When: Varies from days to years of ownership; some within weeks of purchase; mileage ranges from 30,000+ miles. One case reported crack appearing overnight while parked in garage; others while driving at highway speeds (40–70 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Large crack originating from bottom edge of windshield (passenger side, driver side, or center); Crack spreads rapidly across glass in multiple directions; Loud popping or cracking noise with no observed impact; Crack continues to grow over days or weeks; No visible debris strike, chip, or dent at origin point; Cracks appear while vehicle is parked and undriven for extended periods
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement required. For vehicles with EyeSight driver-assist technology, replacement must be done at dealer with recalibration (owners cite ~$700 cost with recalibration). Multiple owners report requiring 2–4+ replacements in 1–2 years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 12-192-15R / NHTSA ID 10093903 (2016+ models had allegedly improved windshield). NHTSA Campaign 22V712000 referenced in one complaint but vehicle VIN was excluded. Subaru refused warranty coverage in multiple complaints, directed owners to insurance claims. One dealer acknowledged defective windshield and replaced for free; others attributed cracks to rock strikes despite lack of evidence.
Windshield brittleness under thermal stress
Owner reports windshield becomes brittle when outside temperature exceeds 88°F while auto climate control is set to 68°F (large temperature differential). Even minor rock strikes cause severe cracking (7–8 inches) under these conditions that would not occur in cooler temperatures. Owner replaced windshield twice in two months, both incidents at ~70 mph on interstate.
When: Warm weather conditions (outside temp above 88°F) with active air conditioning cooling vehicle interior.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield cracks extensively (7–8 inches) from minor strike under high thermal stress; Minimal or barely noticeable impact triggers severe crack propagation; Owner believes thermal conditions increase glass brittleness and weakness
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement required.
Recurring cracks at same location
Multiple owners report windshield cracking at identical spot multiple times—same corner or edge—suggesting either a structural weakness or installation flaw at that location. One owner experienced three separate cracks at the same spot over one year; another had original windshield plus replacement crack at same location within one year.
When: First crack within one month of purchase; subsequent cracks at 1-year intervals or within months of replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Second or third crack develops at identical location as previous failure; Cracks originate from same corner or edge despite multiple replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Requires windshield replacement; recurring issue suggests structural or installation defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially attributed to rock impact and denied warranty; subsequent replacement performed by glass shop under warranty when defect was acknowledged.
Sunroof glass spontaneous breakage
Sunroof glass broke while vehicle was driving on a divided highway with no other vehicles nearby or observable impact. Glass fell onto passengers in vehicle.
When: While driving on two-lane divided highway.
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof glass spontaneously breaks; Glass fragments fall on passengers; No observed impact or collision
Passenger side mirror housing melting
Owner reports passenger side mirror housing melting, believed to be caused by heated mirror default setting. Subaru had a recall for similar issue in 2013.
Symptoms owners cite: Mirror housing melting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru had recall in 2013 for similar heated mirror issue.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On august 30, I traveled north bound on ih 35 towards austin around 6:00pm. As I approached my destination, I noticed a crack that had started in the bottom, center of my windshield. I didn't remember hearing anything hit my windshield, so I was very surprised I had a crack. I did have my windshield replaced at safelight on october 15, 2019 and paid $500 deductible. Now I am reading about…
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…
Had visibility trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 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 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 29,000 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 36,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 49,000. 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/2017/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.