This bulletin announces the design change made to the Washer Tank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Subaru Outback visibility problems
moderate 354 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
354
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 354 visibility complaints filed for the 2020 Subaru Outback, 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
Of the 17 model years of Subaru Outback we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 354.
Visibility accounts for 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 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 announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed models and model years from three (3) years / 36,000 miles to eight (8) years / 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and / or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new door window regulator assemblies and door glass run channel seals in response to limited concerns of erratic operation of the anti-entrapment feature and/or the door glass either not closing or closing very slowly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Windshield failures dominate complaints in this cluster. The core issue is twofold: spontaneous cracking when stationary (cracks appearing with no visible impact or chip, sometimes triggered by defrost activation or temperature shifts) and excessive vulnerability to minor road debris (sand-sized particles, small pebbles, or insects causing cracks 6–18 inches long, versus typical windshields sustaining only chips).
Owners report cracks spreading rapidly—from a few inches to 10–26 inches in 30 minutes to hours—sometimes with a loud pop. Multiple owners describe hearing a loud snapping sound while parked in garages or on drives, then discovering large S-shaped or star-pattern cracks originating near defroster heating elements or the bottom edge of the windshield.
Failure rates are striking. One owner replaced windshields four times in under 10,000 miles; another had 14 replacements; many report 3–4 replacements within their first 1–2 years of ownership. Replacement windshields—both OEM and aftermarket—fail again within weeks in many cases.
Dealers consistently deny warranty coverage, claiming glass is not covered or attributing cracks to rock impact despite owners providing evidence of spontaneous failure (parked cars, no external damage, cracks originating beneath wiper blades where no impact could occur). Owners note pending class-action litigation and reference previous settlements for 2015–2016 Outback windshield defects.
Windshield cracks obstruct the vehicle's EyeSight camera system, which powers forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure systems. Recalibration after replacement is expensive and time-consuming.
Same Subaru Outback visibility reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracking without visible impact
Windshields develop large cracks (typically 6-26 inches in length) while parked, at rest, or during normal driving with no observable rock strike, chip, or external damage. Owners report hearing a loud pop or snap and discovering cracks that spread rapidly—sometimes doubling in length within hours or minutes. Many cracks originate near the defroster heating elements or bottom edge of the windshield.
When: Typically early in ownership (under 15,000 miles); some owners report multiple spontaneous failures within weeks; one owner reported 4 windshields in under 10,000 miles total
Symptoms owners cite: Large cracks (6 inches to 26 inches) appearing suddenly; Loud pop or snapping sound at moment of failure; Rapid crack propagation after initial break (doubling in size within hours); Cracks originating near defroster elements, bottom edge, or edges of windshield; No visible chip, impact mark, or external damage preceding crack; Cracks spreading horizontally, vertically, or in S-shaped or star patterns; Distorted or obstructed vision as cracks grow
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement windshields installed; some owners report OEM replacements cracking spontaneously again; Safelite technicians attributed some failures to 'stress fractures'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledged pending class-action lawsuit on defective windshields (2015–2016 models, later extended to 2020+); some owners report Subaru blamed rock impact despite no evidence; one owner reported trade-in incentive offer to 2021 model; dealers frequently denied warranty coverage citing lack of coverage for glass or claiming impact damage
Excessive vulnerability to minor road debris
Windshields crack extensively from very small rocks, pebbles, sand-sized particles, or even insects. Owners report impacts that would normally cause only small chips instead triggering long cracks that spread across the windshield within minutes to hours. Multiple owners with prior vehicles (including other Subaru models) noted they never experienced this pattern. Some owners attribute the issue to thin glass required for EyeSight camera system compatibility.
When: Can occur at any mileage early in ownership; one owner had 3 chips and 4 replacements within 1 month and 2,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Minor pebbles or road debris causing cracks 6-18 inches long; Impacts at very low speeds (20–40 mph) causing extensive cracking; Sand-sized or insect-sized particles triggering large cracks; Crack propagation after initial impact (sometimes overnight or hours later); Replacement windshields failing in same manner shortly after installation; Multiple windshield failures (3–14 replacements reported by single owners); Cracks spreading horizontally across entire windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple out-of-pocket replacements; one owner paid $1,035 per replacement at Subaru dealer; most owners ultimately used aftermarket glass (Safelite, independent shops) after repeated failures; one owner paid $500 insurance deductible per replacement; EyeSight system recalibration required after replacement in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru has not acknowledged a design defect; dealers informed customers windshields are not warranty-covered; one owner stated windshield was reported as 'too thin' by dealer; pending class-action litigation referenced by several owners; Subaru refused to negotiate insurance claims in at least one documented case
Thermal or stress-induced cracking
Windshields crack when vehicle is stationary or undergoing temperature changes—such as turning on defrost in cold weather, exposure to high ambient heat, or transitioning from cold to hot environments. Owners note cracks originating near defroster heating elements. One owner reported cracks after elevation change (6,000-foot climb with sharp temperature swing) and defrost activation.
When: Cold mornings with heater/defroster activation; hot days with vehicle parked; elevation/temperature transitions
Symptoms owners cite: Crack originating near in-glass defroster heating elements; Crack appearing moments after turning on defroster; Spontaneous cracking during heating or cooling cycles; Cracks near bottom edge of windshield in defroster area; Vehicle parked with no external damage or impact; Cracks widening as if glass is pulling itself apart under internal stress
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement required; no repair option available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers denied warranty coverage; one dealer service manager blamed rock impact without investigating; Subaru did not acknowledge thermal stress as known issue
EyeSight/advanced safety camera system obstruction
Windshield cracks obstruct the camera view required for EyeSight forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Owners report cracks positioned at eye level or through camera field of view, directly impairing these systems.
When: Coincides with windshield crack failures
Symptoms owners cite: Crack positioned at eye level or in center of windshield; Crack blocking camera view through windshield center; Potential malfunction of forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance; Distorted visibility affecting safety systems
Repairs/costs cited: EyeSight system recalibration required after windshield replacement (time-consuming and expensive per owner reports)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No acknowledgment of system vulnerability to windshield cracking in owner reports
Blind spot warning system unreliability and inadequate window visibility
Blind spot warning does not activate reliably when vehicles are actually in blind spots; activation occurs too late (only when collision risk is imminent) rather than warning of limited visibility. Owners also report that window glass obstruction due to windshield cracks combines with poor window visibility design, creating unsafe driving conditions.
When: Ongoing issue unrelated to mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot warning fails to activate when vehicle is in blind spot; Warning activates only when collision risk is immediate; Vehicle windows block sightlines due to vehicle structure; Drivers report less than one foot of clearance warning before lane-change collision risk
Synthesized from 354 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
The vehicle experienced a ~12" crack vertical crack in the windshield. The vehicle was parked and stationary when the windshield cracked. No known pebble, rock, or debris was known to have stuck the windshield. There was a relatively loud "pop" sound and the crack appeared in the windshield. The crack extends from about halfway up the windshield down to the bottom of the black section of glass…
Windshield cracked in a relatively new (1-year-old) vehicle. I discovered the crack in the morning when the vehicle was stationary. I believe it wasn't there yesterday when I last parked the car.
Windshield spontaneously cracked overnight. No marking of rock or any damage.
After a 650 mile drive with no impacts to windshield or perceptible cracks, parked the car overnight. In the morning, a crack had developed from the lower driver side of the windshield moving up and to the passenger side. With no further driving, the crack continued to grow toward the passenger side, splitting into two cracks. The spontaneous crack is in the eyeline. The vehicle was stationary…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after coming outside to start the vehicle, it was discovered that the front glass windshield had cracked. The crack was located on the passenger side of the front windshield and extended between 11 to 15 inches long. The cause of the crack was not determined. The contact indicated that no object had made contact with the windshield…
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated on multiple occasions both the front passenger’s and driver’s side window had become stuck and would not close or open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the window regulators and window tracks were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Subaru outback. The contact noticed that the windshield started to develop a crack on the driver's side base seven inches long, without an impact. The vehicle was taken to williams Subaru of sayre (222 spring st, sayre, pa 18840) and the contact was informed to contact his insurance provider. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
The car was parked on 12/28.2019 in perfect condition as new. Upon entering the vehicle at 11:50am on 12/29/2019 it was obvious that the windshield had cracked overnight. The crack is 24 inches in length and runs from the bottom drivers side under the left side of the windshield wiper heading in an upward direction then turns toward the right side of the vehicle at an elevation of one third the…
The windshield is ridiculously susceptible to cracks. I’m on my third windshield in 4 years. I had the windshield last replaced in October and had a new crack within a month. I didn’t even notice anything hitting the windshield with this last crack.
Today (26 december 2020) as I parked my 2020 Subaru outback in a business parking lot, for the third time in just four months I noticed my windshield starting to crack for no apparent reason. There were no vehicles, road debris , or winds to cause this. This is the third cracked windshield on my new Subaru in four months for no apparent reason. Subaru has a problem! I have driven over 1.5…
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 Subaru Outback?
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 Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 354 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 199 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 3,600 and 15,000 miles, with the median around 7,216. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,600; a quarter make it past 15,000. 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/2020/Subaru/Outback.
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.