2018 Subaru Outback Visibility/Wiper Problems
- 68
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 68 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- windshield cracked · 12 records
- crack appeared · 9 records
- passenger side · 8 records
- back camera · 7 records
- view mirror · 6 records
- windshield crack · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 49 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 60–100k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Visibility/Wiper
I purchased the vehicle on 6/21/19. On 7/1/19 a small starburst crack appeared on passenger side of windshield. I first noticed this while drive on highway. Within 2 days, the crack had spread across 3/4 of the entire windshield. (there was no apparent impact from any object). The windshield was totally replaced and recalibrated on 7/15/19. On 8/30/19 the same thing occurred. A small starburst appeared on the…
ODI 11252729
Visibility/Wiper
Windshield spontaneously developed a crack while parked in a closed, private garage.
ODI 11228323
Visibility/Wiper
Windshield just cracks driving 64mph for no apparent reason. Just spider cracked.
ODI 11271410
Visibility/Wiper
Windshield has cracked and required replacement 3 times in the last 1.5 years. I replaced the windshield a week ago and now have another crack!! These cracks were obtained while driving on the interstate. 2 were due to rocks. The others are unknown. I owned my ford escape for 10 years and had the windshield replaced maybe 2 times.
ODI 11219392
Visibility/Wiper
Car parked in driveway in morning and windshield was fine. Few hours later there was a two foot crack from the drivers side to the mid point of the windshield.
ODI 11279256
Visibility/Wiper
I received a single minute hit from an 18-wheeler while driving on a freeway and now that grown within a month to covering the whole windshield like an art drawing my fear is driver assist camera may be affected putting others and me in accident danger
ODI 11271364
Visibility/Wiper
My windshield cracked for seemingly no reason, while driving on clean and clear highway. I didn't notice anything hit the windshield, but a huge crack appeared. I'm reporting this because i've read that this is a common occurrence on 2017 - 2019 subaru outbacks, and i wanted you to be aware of mine.
ODI 11271432
Visibility/Wiper
Filed complaint with wrong year complaint #11210766 correct year is 2018 camera display do es not always display the rear view image while backing up. First time it happened was 5/25/2019.
ODI 11210885
Visibility/Wiper
I was traveling at about 35 mph with traffic when a rock hit my windshield and created two chips. These are the second and third chips in this window since i bought the vehicle in april 2019.
ODI 11209764
Visibility/Wiper
Can not see back up camera screen in daytime with bright sunlight shining through windshield
ODI 11209092
Visibility/Wiper
Windshield cracked and needed to be replaced 2 times in first 20 months we owned it. Windshield needed to be replaced, and driver-assist (eyesight) system recalibrated to operate safely. Happened in january 2018, and may 2019
ODI 11271422
Visibility/Wiper
Windshield cracked while in motion, affected visibility so i had it replaced.
ODI 11271409
Visibility/Wiper
A rock hit my windshield and produced a significant divot and crack while the driver ahead of me and i were turning from a stop in the left turn lane.
ODI 11209761
Visibility/Wiper
I have had 2 rock chip repairs and i windshield replacement within a span of 6 months. All these cracks were right on the line of sight. Since i am driving on a highway i cannot stop the vehicle immediately. It is really risky to drive with such a delicate winshield. What happens if the crack is large enough to cause life damage ? The cost of a windshield replacement along with recalibration in 700$. If i keep doing…
ODI 11194459
Visibility/Wiper
Driving on highway one day heard a crack. Parked the car and after a few hours noticed a small hairline crack. That started from the middle passenger side. There was no sign of of rock hitting the windshield.
ODI 11271427
Visibility/Wiper
The head unit went black and that means i do not have a back up camera. I live in a place where back up camera is a must. I purchased this unit because it have a big back up camera and all 2018 models must have back up camera. Subaru failed to comply with the safety compliance.
ODI 11181803
Visibility/Wiper
Second cracked windshield in one week. First one was replaced 2/8/18. Both times traveled at low to moderate speed 25-40 mph on local fwy in los angeles, ca. Sunny mild, dry conditions, no wind. Small pebble hit windshield. Couldn't see hit, only heard a small crack sound. Damaged windshield, first time small pebble mark grew to long crack. Initial impact size about 1.5 - 2 mm. One week later another pebble hit…
ODI 11180541
Visibility/Wiper
In less than a year on 2 occasions a small rock caused significant damage to the windshield causing the windshield to be replaced.
ODI 11185108
Visibility/Wiper
I was driving and hit a pothole with the right front tire. I heard a loud pop or crack and thought something had happened to the tire or wheel because it was a very loud. But after continuing to drive slowly for another block, it was apparent the tire wasn't damaged nor did the car systems indicate any problems. I was driving on a city street at approximately 35mph when i hit the pothole. I continued driving and…
ODI 11271425
Visibility/Wiper
I got into my car, it parked, closed the door, heard something fall and when i checked to see what the noise was my entire rear window on the hatch was shattered. I called the dealership and they said they don't cover it under warranty and that i would need to fix it on my own, they also said any of the warranties i purchased also dont cover it. They also mentioned that 4 people also called this same week with this…
ODI 11173713
Visibility/Wiper
A tiny pebble struck the windshield on the interstate, but it suddenly grew to a crack approximately 6 inches long. Never had this problem before, and my car is fairly new on the road (less than 8,000 miles, bought in july, 2018). Deeply concerned that subaru still has not figured out its notorious windshield-reliability problem that has frustrated so many drivers throughout the past 5 years.
ODI 11170685
Visibility/Wiper
Around january this year my windshield cracked as soon as i got out from the garage(64 dregrees) to the driveway(39 degrees). I went to the local dealer and the service advisor run a ball around the glass crack and suddenly stopped and forcefully pushed against the pen against the glass and said that was an impact. I looked at the area of the glass impact but all i saw was the dent that the pen left. The dealer…
ODI 11271337
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other · Visibility/Wiper
Wtz85 - subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling 2018 model year legacy, outback, and brz vehicles equipped with a certain combination of head unit hardware and software, due to the possibility of noncompliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard type: recall | service campaign: wtz85 | nhtsa campaign: 18v-000000 open recall date: january 02, 2019 description 18 leg/out/brz v3 head unit reprogram safety…
ODI 11166438
Electronic Stability Control · Visibility/Wiper
I found a crack in the upper right hand corner of my windshield (subaru outback 2018). The vehicle was stationary at the time. There was no cause for the crack (hail storm, rock/gravel hitting car). At this time, the crack has spread and the subaru eyesight program (sensor program) does not work.
ODI 11291558
Visibility/Wiper
2 windshield cracks in lower portion of windshield during 1st year of ownership. Both cracks occurred while driving around town ~35 mph, once during a 100 degf summer day, and the other during a 40 degf rainy winter morning. Inspection of crack after stopping showed possible origination from ~1mm chips. During the summer, the first chip, located in the de-icer area, grew rapidly to a crack across the windshield with…
ODI 11163033
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2018 Subaru Outback.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.