2022 Subaru Outback

The windshield on our 2022 Subaru Outback with less than 2000 miles was hit by a small object. The windshield chipped and then cracks began to expand. Small projectiles hit windshields all the time yet don't break like Subaru windshields. Subaru will not cover this under warranty and the repair will cost us over $1200 (front cameras need to be realigned). The reason we are reporting this is that our old 2015 Subaru Outback required the windshield to be replaced 4 TIMES in less than 8 years. Obviously this is a defect that Subaru knows about as they extended the warranty for windshields on previous year models, but only for certain defects that started at the top of the windshield. From our perspective this is an unsafe manufacturer defect that needs to be addressed.

While stopped in a line at a drive through the vehicles automatic shutoff (fuel savings feature) engaged. When the brake is released the car completely shut down, including all computer, dash and vehicle lights. The cars transmission was in Drive and could not be placed in Park in an attempt to restart the vehicle. After several minutes the car shifted to Park and was able to be restarted after more than one attempt. I exited the very busy parking lot and proceeded to my place of work approximately a half mile away which is a safer location. Each time the brake was depressed the automatic shutoff would attempt to engage immediately, fearing a shutoff/failure in a major intersection I "feathered" the brake to keep engine running. Upon reaching my place of work parking lot and placing the vehicle in Park I was able to disengage the feature. This vehicle has been plagued with issues, it currently has very low miles (less than 5000) and is one year old. It had a battery failure at 600 miles, and has had several issues since that time with the vehicle not starting. Fortunately these issues occurred out of traffic but the latest incident could prove hazardous if it occurred in traffic. When the vehicle diagnostics are run it shows "Normal" and the problem remains unresolved. I have also noted hesitation with the shifting during acceleration from day one of owning the vehicle. It does not shift smoothly and will often hesitate which can pose a danger if attempting to avoid an accident. I have learned to compensate for the issue when pulling into traffic, especially if rapid acceleration is needed. Again, the vehicle diagnostics do not show an issue and the problem remains unresolved.

Spontaneous windshield crack. Crack went from drivers side edge of glass horizontally across approximately 2/3 of the windshield. After approximately 2 days, the crack began to seperate, it was nearly a 1/4" wide by the time it was replaced. There was no obvious sign of an impact, I assumed there had been an impact, but am concerned of an actual defect as I am hearing reports of this spontaneous cracking becoming more common.

I have only had this vehicle for 11 months and I’m about to have the windshield replaced for the second time. This poses a serious safety risk on any road and especially highways. If the crack spreads to the vehicle Eye Sight area then the function will shut off, causing further problems on the highway in regards to cruise control and emergency braking. The Outback vehicles are known for having weak windshields and the manufacturer has recalled some model years.

Windshield crack. With just under 3000 miles on our 2022 Subaru Outback while driving home, my wife noticed a small crack on the windshield near the "Eye sight" cameras which I could not see from the driver side. By the time I could finally pull over and look at this it had grown to over a foot long or longer. Prior to owning this Subaru, we helped our Daughter with the purchase of her first Subaru, a 2020 Subaru Crosstek Hybrid. She has already had to have her windshield replaced due to a small chip which grew into a long unrepairable crack. Prior to owning a Subaru, I owned a 2007 Chevrolet Impala for over 14 years. Just before selling it this past year I had to replace the windshield on this car. Not sure what the cause of the crack was but I suspect it was vandalism. I'm reporting this as I've heard others having this problem as well and was concerned that maybe there was a problem with Subaru windshields.

There is a defect in the windshield. I’ve replaced the windshield twice. The first time a rock hit it and it caused the entire windshield to crack. I got the windshield replaced and a week later it cracked again. I replaced it again and 30 minutes later it happened again. My father in law has an Outback as well with the same issue. I also have a colleague with the same exact model vehicle with the same issue. I researched online and there are many owners that have complained about the same thing. When I talked to the dealership where the car was purchased the salesman seemed to have heard about the issue before. The windshield repair shop also said that there are a lot of Subarus that come through the shop with the same issue. I’ve had rocks hit my windshields in past vehicles and I have never seen them crack and spiderweb in this way. It is obvious to me that there is a flaw in the design or manufacturing of these particular windshields.

The glass sheet on the vehicle’s sunroof spontaneously exploded while I was driving on the freeway. Some broken shards fell onto myself and into the cabin as the interior pull cover was in the open position at the time of the explosion. Luckily no additional passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. I was in shock as I heard and felt the explosion. As broken shards were falling onto me and into the cabin, I thought I was a victim of an intentional freeway shooting or an unlucky recipient of a stray bullet. After realizing I was unharmed, I immediately drove my car to a trusted Subaru dealership for further investigation of the damage. At the time, the dealership did not have the appropriate personal on site for an investigation, however a service associate took photos of the damage. The service associate also observed and noted the position of some glass remains still in tact on the sunroof frame - some broken edges were positioned at an outward angle in relation to the vehicle. This is an indication of an outward explosion rather than an impact from outside of the vehicle. I am currently waiting for the dealership’s response to have the car brought back in to complete the investigation w/ the appropriate personal.

While driving, the radio volume suddenly increases to extremely loud. Not only is this dangerous and extremely distracting for the driver, but it is potentially harmful to everyone in the vehicle. My immediate reaction when this occurs ( it happens frequently) is to focus on the radio and off of the road, regardless of whether I am driving low speed or high speed on an interstate, or even when I’m turning at an intersection. Very dangerous! There are no warnings prior to the “full blast” of volume.