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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
I bought a 2018 Outback in June 2019. I had the car just over a month and the windshield cracked. It started with a small circular crack. Dealer said it looked like something hit. The area that was hit, meant it had to come from above or if it came from the road at that angle it would have done damage to my hood also. Sadly I wasn’t near any bridges and the closest car to me had to be at least 10 cars away. This crack spread very quickly. 24 hours later I was driving again, and another circular crack happened farther up. Again, no cars or bridges around. I was lucky that subaru comped the first one, but I have a feeling this is the first of many.
Purchased 2019 Outback in Jan ‘19, had multiple chips fixed on “first”, original, windshield, then had a bigger that was irreparable so had windshield replaced. Within a matter of a couple of months already sustained three more that could be repaired , on the new windshield, then another big one that warrants it to be replaced again.
Since the initial big crack on the new one, while trying to decide where to purchase the new one, have had several smaller pits from pebbles that would normally cause no damage, PLUS another big one, while we were waiting to replace windshield!!
We can’t afford to replace our windshield 2-3 times a year due to Subaru using sub-standard quality replacement glass. We have had more chips and cracks in this Subaru than all of our other vehicles together, in the past! Very unhappy. We wanted a Subaru for years, but at this rate will not be able to keep it.
Got a ‘19 Forester and was talked into windshield insurance. Windshield broke before 7k miles. Windshield was replaced. Took it in for its 12k service and was told that the windshield used was not Subaru’s so my eye site warranty was voided. When I told the service writer that I bought the insurance when I purchased the car and that’s who replaced it I was told I doubt that. I repeated to him no I bought it at the dealership he said that would not happen. I was was very pissed at that statement.
Same issue with my 2019 WRX.
I purchased a 2019 outback. While on the freeway, was hit by a small pebble. The tone on the windshield was a loud crack. I’ve been hit harder than this event with a loud thud. It may be just me but the windshield appears thin. Especially when tapped on its surface. My theory, using thin glass may make the eyesight assist easier to calibrate. My chips were low speed hits. The significant chip needs repair. It’s a young car (<1yr) so I may be looking at a replacement in its early life.
Hey I have a 2019 Forester and noticed a random chip on my windshield never noticed or heard anything hit it.
Bought an Impreza a couple years ago (2017 Impreza), windshield randomly had a huge crack in it one day.
New 2019 Subaru impress sedan. Had for 3 days when windshield cracked in front of driver. Was on vacation, so had to wait until got home to have it replaced. Cost 250.00 deductible. Wouldn’t mind getting that back!
Can we add 2019 Ascent to the list as well?? We had it less than a month and got a chip in the windshield that quickly turned to a full, across the whole length of the windshield, crack within days. We had to of course replace the whole windshield and get it recalibrated due to the vehicle’s “Eyesight” TM
We don’t even remember hearing anything hit the windshield.
I brought a used Subaru forester. A 2016 , so far I have no problem with the windshield. But what I have problems in the future.