The vehicle is about a month old, I was driving on the freeway when a tiny piece of gravel hit my windshield resulting in a crack about 10 inches in length located in the middle of the passenger and driver seat section. I didn't have any heating on and it was a sunny day
2020 Subaru Impreza visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Subaru Impreza have filed 53 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 7,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Impreza | 4 |
| 2017 Impreza | 21 |
| 2018 Impreza | 34 |
| 2019 Impreza | 58 |
| 2020 Impreza (this page) | 53 |
| 2024 Impreza | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 53 visibility complaints filed for the 2020 Subaru Impreza, 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.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 13 mileage-bearing visibility complaints filed against the 2020 Subaru Impreza by each odometer reading. Median failure: 7,000 mi.
10% have failed by1,300 mi
Half the fleet by7,000 mi
90% have failed by88,650 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Visibility accounts for 62% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 53 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 widespread, premature windshield cracking on 2020 Impreza models. The failures cluster into four patterns: windshields cracking spontaneously while parked with zero visible impact—often discovered after overnight or extended sitting, sometimes with cracks growing while the vehicle sits idle. Second, minimal road debris (small gravel, tiny rocks) cause disproportionately large cracks; one owner reports a tiny rock creating a 14-inch crack, and another had two separate impacts result in 6-inch and 11-inch cracks. Third, cracks occur during low-speed driving with an audible pop, and one owner experienced the same crack location recur after OEM replacement. Fourth, defroster activation or temperature cycling triggers cracks originating from the windshield bottom.
Mileages range from 800 to 94,000 miles; multiple owners replace windshields at 1,300–7,000 miles. Owners cite replacement costs of $800–$1,300 plus $1,000 for EyeSight recalibration. One owner is on their fifth windshield in roughly two years. Subaru has not recalled any VINs for this issue. Owners online reference a pending class action lawsuit and describe the windshield material as inferior or too thin compared to other vehicles.
Same Subaru Impreza visibility reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracking while parked
Windshield develops cracks without any apparent impact or external cause while the vehicle is stationary and parked. Cracks often originate at the bottom center or edges of the windshield and may grow overnight or over hours. No visible marks, chips, or impact indentation present.
When: Typically discovered after vehicle sits overnight or is parked for several hours. Reported as early as 800 miles, with multiple reports between 1,300–7,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Large crack appearing on windshield with no visible impact mark; Crack originating from bottom center or lower corners of windshield; Crack spreading or growing over time while parked; Crack discovered after overnight or extended parking; No external debris or damage visible on glass surface
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement required; OEM windshield costs vary, with owners citing $800–$1,300 for replacement. EyeSight calibration required after replacement, cited cost $1,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VINs were not under recall; dealer confirmed some repairs adequate but did not acknowledge defect. Online reports indicate pending class action lawsuit against Subaru.
Windshield cracking from minor impact or temperature stress
Windshield sustains cracks from minimal impact—small gravel, tiny rocks, or low-speed road conditions—that would not normally cause cracking in other vehicles. Cracks are disproportionately large relative to the cause. Thermal stress from defroster use or temperature cycling may contribute.
When: Reported across mileages from 1,300 to 94,000 miles; can occur during or shortly after driving, or discovered the following morning.
Symptoms owners cite: Small piece of gravel or minimal debris causing large crack (6–11 inches); Crack spreading after defroster activation; Crack spreading overnight as vehicle heats and cools; Multiple cracks on same windshield after minor impacts; Hairline or branching cracks with no visible impact mark
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement; owners cite $800–$1,300 cost. Some owners have replaced windshield multiple times (one owner on fifth windshield in ~2 years of ownership).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not acknowledge windshield material or design defect; no recalls issued for VINs reported.
Windshield cracking while driving at low speeds
Windshield suddenly cracks while vehicle is in motion at low speed (5–40 mph), with no obvious road hazard or impact. Owners hear audible pop or cracking noise. Crack may be hairline or branching pattern within the laminate.
When: Reported at 41,000 miles and 94,000 miles; one case recurred in same location after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Audible pop or cracking sound while driving; Sudden crack appearing in windshield at low speed; Hairline crack visible between laminate layers; Recurring crack in same location after windshield replacement; No visible debris or impact mark on glass
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement required. One owner experienced repeated cracking in identical location on replacement windshield.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VIN not under recall; no diagnosis or repair protocol provided by dealer.
Windshield cracking during or after defroster use
Windshield develops cracks coinciding with activation of defroster or sudden temperature changes. Crack initiates from bottom of windshield and spreads upward.
When: Reported at low mileages (2,500 miles); crack discovered first thing in morning after cold overnight.
Symptoms owners cite: Crack forming when defroster is activated; Crack starting at bottom of windshield and extending upward; Crack spreading into T-shaped or branching pattern; Crack observed after cold overnight and defroster use in morning; No evidence of external impact
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement; one owner cited cost at $987.
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 18 most recent
The windshield cracked without any reason, at the top by the passenger side. The initial crack was approximately a foot and it has since grown and is moving horizontally across the windshield. It is available for inspection. This happened while the car was parked.
The contact owns a 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. The contact stated that after warming up the after driving approximately 1/10 th of a mile at approximately 10 mph or less when the vehicle's windshield suddenly fractured under the seal rubber in the lower center of the vehicle. in the lower then suddenly migrated to the left and to the right of the windshield in different directions. The contact contacted…
Today, 12/14/2020 at 430am I started my car like normal. Currently temps below 30 over night. Vehicle has a remote start system. Let the vehicle warm up, went outside and got in the vehicle. Noticed a 12 inch crack on the lower passenger side, going towards the middle. Wasn't there the day before when I parked it. I purchased this vehicle brand new in early september, only 4 months old. I've…
Our windshield has cracked for no apparent reason. My husband took the car out for lunch - no damage. Then he went back out later that afternoon and there was a large crack. Even if something happened to hit the car (which would have had to be so minor that he didn't notice), it should not have immediately cracked like this. I have never experienced anything like this with any other vehicle.
The windshield on my 2020 Subaru impreza cracked by itself. There was no damage sustained to the windshield. No marks from anything hitting the windshield. It cracked simply while sitting parked in my driveway.
I recently bought a new 2020 Subaru impreza sport (bought at 19 mi, current 1300 mi). Vehicle was stationary, parked overnight, during a cold night. The next morning after defrosting, I noticed a small, 2' crack originating from the lower center windshield. Upon inspection, there was no mark of contact by debris. Over the course of the day, the crack grew up to 10 inches. Contact made to…
Was traveling down a highway when a vehicle changed lanes, spraying a little bit of sand onto the windshield. Suddenly my windshield developed a 10 inch "l" shaped crack, starting from the left edge of the windshield (about half way up) and continued straight across towards the middle of the windshield.
My vehicle was stationary and off, parked at my home. As I was getting ready to go to work that afternoon, I noticed a crack in the windshield. This crack was not there after I finished running an errand that morning. It had to have happened while the vehicle was not in use and stationary. There is no crack or chip to indicate any impact with any external object. The crack originates at the…
Small rock hit the windshield as broke very easy. Seeing a lot of issues with the front windshield and they are breaking easy. Cost $987.00 to repair. Have all receipts will provide if needed.
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 Subaru Impreza?
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 Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 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 30 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 2,500 and 12,368 miles, with the median around 7,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,500; a quarter make it past 12,368. 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/Impreza.
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.