2017 OUTBACK SECOND TIME WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED. FIRST TIME (11/2018)SOMETHING VERY TINY HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED. THE CAR WAS ON AN INTERSTATE. THE EMPHASIS IS ON TINY, NO WAY IT SHOULD HAVE CRACKED. THIS TIME, 12/25/2019, I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, ON AN INTERSTATE, LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A CRACK APPEARED ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. I EXCLAIMED TO…
2017 subaru Outback visibility problems
moderate 217 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
217
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
EXPLODING SUN ROOF: ON 11/23/2017 OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING FROM HILLSBORO, OR TO COOSBAY, OR FOR A FAMILY THANKSGIVING DINNER. WHILE WE WERE ON INTERSTATE I-5 SOUTH JUST NEAR COTTAGE GROVE, OR WE HEARD A LOUD SHATTER WHICH SCARED ALL OF US, WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. WE WERE GOING AT 65-70MPH WITH DRIZZLE OREGON RAIN AND TEMPS AT 50'S F
SPONTANEOUS CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A CHIP OR EXPERIENCING ANY "HITS" TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING - GO OUT TO START MY GARAGE PARKED SUBARU OUTBACK (TOURING) AND NOTICE A LINEAR CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD ON THREE (3) SEPARATE INCIDENCES WITHIN 369 DAYS FEB 2018, MAY 2018, & FEB 2019.
WE NOTICED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN WE DOING A CAR CLEANING AND REPORTED IT TO OUR CAR INSURANCE COMPANY; OTHERWISE, WE WEREN'T AWARE OF IT HAPPENING, IT STILL EXISTS AND I NEED TO GET THE CAR INSPECTED IN JANUARY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL PASS.
SPONTANEOUS CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A CHIP OR EXPERIENCING ANY "HITS" TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING - GO OUT TO START MY GARAGE PARKED SUBARU OUTBACK (TOURING) AND NOTICE A LINEAR CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD ON THREE (3) SEPARATE INCIDENCES WITHIN 369 DAYS FEB 2018, MAY 2018, & FEB 2019.
SPONTANEOUS CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A CHIP OR EXPERIENCING ANY "HITS" TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING - GO OUT TO MY GARAGE PARKED SUBARU OUTBACK (TOURING) AND NOTICE A LINEAR CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD ON THREE (3) SEPARATE INCIDENCES WITHIN 369 DAYS - FEB 2018, MAY 2018 & FEB 2019
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2017 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 217 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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