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In a Subaru class action lawsuit, a Wisconsin woman claims that Outback and Forester vehicles may be equipped with defective windshields.
Plaintiff Christine Powell says the windshield defect pose an “imminent and significant safety hazard” in addition to causing monetary losses and other damages.
The alleged Subaru windshield defect reportedly causes cracks, chips, and breaks seemingly without any cause. These damages can reportedly occur even at low mileages and when a vehicle is brand new.
When the defective windshields crack, they allegedly prevent the operation of Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. According to Subaru, this system “monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you if you sway outside your lane.”
When the windshield is broken, this system is allegedly unable to function as intended – reportedly meaning that drivers are not able to use a feature that likely drove their purchasing choices.
According to Powell’s Subaru class action, the defect affects 2017 to 2019 Subaru Forester and 2017 to 2019 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Powell allegedly experienced the defect with her 2018 Subaru Forester which she purchased in August 2017. After a few months of use, her vehicle allegedly cracked suddenly and unexpectedly. In December 2017, Powell reportedly took her vehicle to her local Subaru dealer who denied any responsibility and made her pay for the windshield replacement.
Powell’s windshield allegedly broke again in May 2019. Due to living several hours away from her nearest dealer, Powell has reportedly not taken her vehicle in for repairs and “hesitates to incur additional monetary losses and other damages.”
The Subaru class action claims that Powell and other consumers have experienced the defect and, in some cases, have been forced to foot the bill for repairs on their vehicles. Subaru has reportedly received hundreds of complaints about the issue but has failed to take any action to resolve the problem or reimburse consumers.
“Defendant has known for years of defects in the windshields of earlier model Subaru vehicles and Defendant is aware of a tremendous volume of complaints of this defect in the windshields of the Class Vehicles,” the Subaru class action lawsuit claims.
Powell seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchase or leased a 2017 to 2019 Subaru Forester or 2017 to 2019 Subaru Outback vehicle and suffered a damaged windshield. She also seeks to represent a Class of the same consumers from Wisconsin.
Did you purchase or lease a Subaru vehicle with a windshield defect involving chipping, cracking or breaking? Share your experiences in the comment section below!
Powell and the proposed Class are represented by Peter A. Muhic and Peter H. LeVan Jr. of LeVan Law Group LLC and Katrina Carroll, Edwin J. Kilpela Jr., and James P. McGraw III of Carlson Lynch LLP.
The Subaru Windshield Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Powell v. Subaru of America Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-19114-NLH-JS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
UPDATE: On March 6, 2020, Subaru asked a judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit claiming the windshields in some Subaru vehicles crack during normal use.
UPDATE: The Vehicle Safety Defect Investigation is now open! If you own a vehicle that has a safety defect and you believe it should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, submit your information here.
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49 thoughts onSubaru Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Windshield Defect
We purchased a 2021 Subaru Outback in March of 2021. We had the windshield replaced in July 2021 when a pebble struck it while driving on the interstate. It shocked us because it IMMEDIATELY cracked all the way across, unlike most windshields that will pit to where you can get the pit repaired for about $75.00. This cracked windshield cost us $500 deductible plus $134 that was covered by insurance for the calibration. Then, in May 2021 we went out to the garage to find that the Outback’s windshield was cracked halfway across with no sign of any pit and no history of having an impact of any kind. We found out that the OEM glass is fragile, thinner, and obviously hazard-prone because of it. So far nothing from Subaru except denying any responsibility or concern, and there was NO information about this at the time we purchased it. They are actually DENYING they know anything about this problem!! Additionally, Subaru gives no help about what other brand might work for the Eyesight feature. So in other words, we were sold a car without information about the defect and are being forced to pay for their inferior products!! This needs legal attention for sure!!
I have a 2018 Subaru Outback. I was hit by a small rock that, in any of my other cars would have just left a small chip. This left a small chip, then 5 minutes later began to crack across and down my window. Within 20 minutes I had an 18 inch long crack across my front window in 75 degree weather. Interestingly, my daughter, driving the same day, also in an Outback, had the exact same thing happen to her!
My one-week old Subaru Outback had a cracked windshield. Since it had Eyesight, the cost would have been over $1000 to replace. The dealer covered half the cost, since USAA does not offer full windshield coverage in PA. We researched it and found that Subaru makes the WINDSHIELD GLASS EXTRA THIN TO IMPROVE ON GAS MILEAGE CLAIMS
I have a 2020 Subaru Outback that has had three cracks and one is spreading as I type this for no reason. I have reached the end of my rope with this windshield. It’s $$$$ every time I have it replaced.
I have a 2019 Impreza, has been in my driveway since March only driving once or twice a week. A few weeks ago I walked out to a broken windshield, no impact whatsoever, deep enough to fit my fingernail and starts from the passenger side edge all the way to the drivers side. The dealership would not take any accountability and told me to call Subaru. Wish me luck!
Essentially, the windshield manufacturing process is flawed. They have produced hundreds of thousands of vehicles with defective windshields. The windshields spontaneously develep small cracks/defects–dozens of them. If the windshield is struck by a pebble even at low speeds, many owners report that the crack grows in length every day reaching multiple feet and often the entire lenght of the windshield. This happened to my subaru. The bottom line is that subaru refuses to repair or recall. The cost of repairing, with EyeSight adjustments, is about $3000. Save your money and dont buy a Subaru. The sad thing is that I hoped Subaru would do the right thing, but no. Thousands of owners are left to foot the bill for repair or drive around with a safety hazard.
I bought 2020 Subaru forester I barely drive my car because I’m working from home due to pandemic. My baby is only 7 months old. Last month while driving I heard click noise in the passenger side and my son found out there’s a small cracked on the windshield infront of him. Then today I drove about 10 minutes I heard another click noise and another cracked on the center of the windshield. So I made a researched because I feel there’s something wrong with the windshield and I found out there’s a lot of complaints about subaru windshield cracked issue. I’m very disappointed. It will cause me money to get it replace since I need to pay deductible. I had Toyota for 7 yrs & Mazda for 5 yrs before never had any issue.
Our 2019 Subaru Outback had an unusual crack that started on right side edge and spread to center.. Normal use and no sign of previous chip or crack. Had it replaced under our insurance with an out of pocket deductible. Linda