WIFE WAS DRIVING AND A SMALL STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD, LEAVING A SMALL CHIP IN THE GLASS. UPON TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER LATER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
2018 subaru Outback visibility problems
moderate 255 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
255
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The windshield has had 3 different pressure cracks (there's never been any evidence of a chip or impact) and the cracks have all appeared spontaneously. The cracks spread quickly and end up having to be replaced. The first crack was in May 2018, the second was in March 2020, and the 3rd (most recent) happened December 30, 2021.
LIKE OTHER LATE MODEL SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS, A SPONTANEOUS CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK APPEARED AT APPROXIMATELY NOON ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2019 IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RESTAURANT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM TOMORROW AT THE SUBARU DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE INITIAL INDICATION IS THAT THE CRACK MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I AM FILI…
SMALL ROCK (MAYBE?) HIT WINDSHIELD AND IT IMMEDIATELY CRACKED. WAS DRIVING BACK FROM MEMPHIS, TN TO LITTLE ROCK, AR CHRISTMAS EVENING ON I-40. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 1.5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE.
MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK BELOW THE WIPER BLADE. IT WAS STATIONERY.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CRACK SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A ROCK OF PIECE OF GRAVEL HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/8" FROM THE TOP EDGE OF THE GLASS IMMEDIATELY RESULTING IN A CRACK WHICH WITHIN HOURS SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2018 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 255 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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