Windshield randomly developed a crack for no apparent reason. No rocks flying in, no extreme conditions, we were in 40-60 degrees temperatures in California on normal freeways and streets, not in any off-road conditions.
2021 Subaru Outback owner complaints
289 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.
visibility 8 complaints shown
Fragile windshield. I’m just under a year of ownership and I replaced the windshield twice so far so I’m on my third one. First time was about a month in, no visible strike mark. Started on the Driver side halfway up and spread daily horizontally towards the passenger side and within a day or two was half the windshield. Second one was nine or 10 months out. Tiny strike basically did the same spread. In traffic a tiny rock got tossed up at low speed and I have a Starbust right now. Hopefully it won’t spread overnight before I can get it epoxied because then I will be on my fourth windshield before one year of ownership. Decades of other models and cars and same driving locations and I’ve never had to replace a windshield or repair one. Currently at 16K miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she became aware that the front windshield had suddenly cracked, extending from the center of the windshield to the passenger’s side bezel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the crack was the result of the impact of a small, unknown object. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.
Brand new 2021 outback premier @ 647 miles and while parked overnight in our private driveway we noticed that the windshield had cracked the next morning. Less than 7 days of ownership dealer claims it was a rock chip . The windshield is split down the middle of the screen. Dealer response is insulting. Especially since they know this is an issue with the glass. Dealer pushed their expensive insurance to cover when we purchased the car. We did not know this was a recurring issue at this time with the cars. If we had known we would not have purchased this car. It will always be an issue. Will it crack again? Who pays, will it leave us stranded somewhere? Subaru does not appear to be willing to stand by its product and take care of its customers
In February 2021 my windshield was cracked in the lower left corner for an unknown reason. Windshield was inspected by manufacturer service center and thought to be result of an impact and was then replaced. December 2021 the windshield was again cracked in the lower left corner and again needs to be replaced. Appears to also be the result of an impact but will need to be determined by insurance. Both instances the windshield cracked in the bottom left corner and the crack began to quickly grow across the drivers side to the top center of the windshield.
Tl* the contact owns a 2021 Subaru outback. The contact stated the front windshield was cracked. The vehicle was taken to stocker Subaru (1454 dreibelbis st, state college, pa 16801, (814) 954-7320) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front windshield had lint or dust embedded inside the front windshield. The windshield was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that an engineer inspected the windshield and stated the windshield was acceptable. The manufacturer was contacted and a gift card was provided to the contact. The failure was mileage was 600.*dt the consumer stated contacted manufacturer asking for a replacement windshield and request was denied. *tr
Windshield developed a 10" crack overnight, parked while it was snowing in Boulder, CO. There was no damage prior to this past night. This problem is widely reported on [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The sunroof on my 2021 Subaru Outback exploded for no apparent reason while I was driving. There was no impact by any object, and the glass shattered into innumerable pieces, suggesting it was definitively tempered, not laminated, glass. The weather was sunny and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I happened to have my sunroof shade closed - if I hadn’t, I would have gotten glass in my hair and possibly in my eyes while driving my car.
other 5 complaints shown
I have had 3 windshields crack spontaneously during normal use in the past year. Each incident was repaired by a certified repair shop and at time the damage was noticed, no chips, signs of damage, or impacts were noted. The crack appeared to be internal and was not able to be felt from outside or within. In each incident the crack began near the edge of the glass and spread across the entire length of the windshield. The most recent was 12/27/2023, the approximate dates of the previous are 12/2022, and 03/2023. All three occurred in periods of clear weather, no ice, or snow present, although all three occurred in the cold, while parked outside overnight either at work or home.
Bought the vehicle and basically parked the car in my garage a/o 23 nov 2020. I travel for work most of the time. Between 3 - 7 dec, the car was used by my ex-husband for two trips to the airport to pick me up/drop off from/for a business trip and for me to drop off the title of my old car. On 21 dec, after being parked in the garage for three weeks (since 7 dec), my ex-husband noticed in the garage as he was getting in the car to head to the airport to pick me up from my 3-week business trip, saw a 1 1/2 foot long crack in the windshield originating by the windshield perimeter frame (passenger side).
Several times, at random, the infotainment system goes blank. Screen goes black and can NOT adjust any of the ADAS controls! After 10 to 20 seconds the system seems to reboot and slowly returns to normal operations.
While my husband was driving up a hill at low speed (25-30miles/hr) the car lost power, struggled and felt like it was going to stall. 5 days later, I was driving up a hill going 25miles/hr, the car lost acceleration the stalled, was unreponsive to gas pedal being depressed, the car then started again on its own. I brought the car to Subaru but they couldn't find anything wrong. Luckily nobody was behind me when the car stalled.
Windshield cracked spontaneously two times. Had to replace windshield twice and had to recalibrate eyesite cameras both times. One time happened while driving and the other time parked.
electrical 3 complaints shown
Car won't start. Battery drained after in garage overnight. The lights weren't left on and keys far from car. This same thing happened after leaving car with blinkers on for a very short period.
Purchased vehicle 1/2021. Currently has 8500 miles. For the past few months the dash/navigation system intermittently shuts down. Lose everything including speed/cruise/gps/radio. After a few seconds will reboot. I have called the dealer twice regarding this issue - was told to press "defrost" button 5 times and bring to the service department. This was done and they sent the info to Subaru - have not heard anything from Subaru regarding this complaint which was done over 2 months ago
Battery dead after leaving in garage for a day. Happened three times and I brought it to dealer, and they charged battery and said it passed Subaru test procedure and that nothing they can do. No lights on and key is in house closet area. Battery still drains if left in garage for a day without driving. I bought a portable charger for $150.
cruise control 2 complaints shown
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 60-75 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving downhill with adaptive cruise mode activated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25.
The speed control (adaptive) doesn't work. The interior heater doesn't work. Several lights including the 'check engine' light come on the dash. The lane departure system doesn't work. (It appears the thermo control value subassembly may be at fault.) The car has approximately 25K miles on it.
body 1 complaint shown
Passenger lower side windshield cracked while driving, it started as a tiny crack but the next morning the crack line was 16 inches long. I contacted Subaru because the car is under warranty but they said they will not cover it. The whole windshield had to be replaced.
airbags 1 complaint shown
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.