The windshield seemed to just start cracking for no known reason.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek 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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 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
Visibility accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct visibility problems with the 2020 Crosstrek.
Windows in cold: Below 26°F, windows won't roll down even without visible ice or frost. One owner in Keene, NY went through multiple service visits—dealer replaced the driver's side run channel, but windows still wouldn't operate on mornings below 15°F. When the owner escalated to Subaru of America with video evidence, the manufacturer first offered "compensation," then recommended buying an aftermarket accessory, and finally told the owner there was no defect.
Windshields cracking unprompted: This is the dominant complaint. Owners report cracks appearing overnight while parked, during normal driving, or with no observed impact—2 to 19 inches long, often near the rearview mirror, defrost vents, or window edges. Mileages range from under 1,600 to 17,000 miles. Some owners replaced windshields twice in one year; one replaced it three times in 11 months. Several mention an audible pop or crack sound coinciding with appearance, and one reported a crack expanding from a tiny chip to 4 inches in 12 hours. One moonroof shattered violently at highway speed with no cause. Dealers typically claim stone chips (sometimes from 10–15 feet away in clear conditions) and direct owners to insurance. Windshield replacement often exceeds $750 due to EyeSight camera calibration costs. One owner noted a settled class action regarding Subaru windshields cracking without warning, though the narratives do not detail the settlement or scope.
Same Subaru Crosstrek visibility reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Power window malfunction in cold temperatures
Windows fail to operate when ambient temperature is at or below 26°F, even without visible frost or ice on the glass. Owner reported multiple service visits; dealer replaced driver's side run channel; Subaru eventually told owner there was no problem and suggested purchasing an accessory as a workaround.
When: Below 26°F ambient; owner in Keene, NY experienced it for multiple days when temps stayed below 15°F
Symptoms owners cite: Windows will not roll down in cold weather; Problem persists even after defrost and heat on high for 30 minutes; No visible frost or ice on windows
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer ordered and installed replacement driver's side run channel; did not resolve issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America offered 'compensation for the problem' (refused by owner); recommended purchasing an accessory to 'alleviate this concern'; subsequently stated 'there is no problem with the car windows'
Windshield spontaneous cracking without impact
Windshield develops cracks ranging from 2 inches to 19 inches with no visible point of impact, no reported object strike, and no apparent trauma. Cracks appear overnight, while parked, or during normal low-speed driving. Multiple owners report this as a repeating pattern. At least one owner replaced windshield twice within one year; another experienced three cracks within 11 months of ownership.
When: Early ownership, from under 1,600 miles to 17,000 miles; often discovered after car sat parked overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks appear spontaneously with no observed impact; No point of impact visible on glass; Crack locations vary: rearview mirror area (top center), passenger side, driver's side, near bottom defrost vents; Crack sizes range 2–19 inches; Some cracks expand over hours to days after initial appearance; Some cracks produce audible cracking/popping sound
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement required (OEM required for EyeSight calibration); one owner reported alignment takes 1.5 hours at $172/hour; total repair often exceeds $750; owner paid through insurance; dealer replaced one moonroof at no cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer claimed stone chip from 10–15 feet away and directed owner to insurance; Subaru told owner EyeSight camera/safety system would not align without OEM replacement windshield; owner references settled class action regarding Subaru windshields cracking without warning
Moonroof spontaneous shattering
Moonroof shatters into tiny pieces while driving at highway speed with no impact, debris, or external cause. Owner heard loud explosion; moonroof glass was closed so pieces did not spray interior.
When: At 1,500 miles, while driving at 70 mph on smooth interstate with light traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion noise while driving; Moonroof shatters into tiny pieces; No impact, rocks, or structures overhead
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced moonroof at no cost to owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced moonroof at no cost
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
There is a stress crack on passenger side front on windshield from rearview mirror inside the vehicle going upward in an arch and ends at the top of the windshield. It was in our garage and there is nothing that could have fallen onto the car from the roof of the garage. Noticed crack on 12/13/2020
The windshield has cracked twice and had to be replaced. The first time was December 2021 and the second time was November 2022. Each time, we did not even see impact with a pebble. We just assume that was what caused the crack. My wife and I have been driving for fifty years and this is the first time we have had to replace a windshield. Subaru needs to fix this problem.
Windshield spontaneously cracked
My car was parked outside when one morning I noticed a 2-inch crack started from the edge of the windshield on the passenger side of my vehicle which grew to 19 inches in the following days. The crack feels smooth from the outside and to my knowledge didn't happen due to any impact. My vehicle is available for any inspection. I have not taken my car to the manufacturer regarding this issue yet.
I've only had my brand new 2020 Subaru crosstrek for 4 1/2 months and I just got a 2nd crack in my windshield. Last month a small pebble flew off of a construction truck, hit my windshield and cracked it, while I was driving on the highway. Two days ago, I heard a light tap while driving 55 MPH on a city street and now I have another crack. I was the only one on the road and didn't see anything…
Windshield cracked from a tiny rock while traveling approximately forty miles per hour on a freeway.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated after entering the vehicle it was discovered that the front windshield had developed a crack extending approximately four inches from the top of the windshield to the rearview mirror attachment. The contact indicated that no object or rocks had made contact with the windshield to cause the crack. The cause of the failure was not…
Windshield cracked while driving.
4 inch crack suddenly appeared on the passenger side of the windshield. It starts from the bottom of the windshield.
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
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 2020 Subaru Crosstrek?
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 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 1,900 and 11,800 miles, with the median around 5,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,900; a quarter make it past 11,800. 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/2020/Subaru/Crosstrek.
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.