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Numerous class action lawsuits against Subaru have been compiled into one complaint by consumers who claim their cars’ windshields are prone to crack.
The first complaint was filed in October 2019 by Christine Powell and the other complaints followed in courts in California and New Jersey.
The plaintiffs maintain that Subaru sold 2017-2020 Subaru Forester, 2017-2020 Subaru Outback, 2017-2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 2017-2020 Subaru Legacy and 2017-2020 Subaru Impreza vehicles to the customers but didn’t disclose the windshields were defective.
The defect allegedly presents a safety hazard to drivers and pedestrians. Spontaneous cracking can impair the driver’s view and distract the driver, according to the consolidated Subaru class action lawsuit. In addition, the plaintiffs claim the replacement windshields they paid for, which were provided by the company, have the same defect and are equally dangerous.
In addition, the customers claim the defect deprives them of the ability to use the company’s EyeSight technology that is built into the windshield.
The customers allege Subaru knew the class vehicles contain the windshield defect and have concealed this information from the public and even continues to deny that the problem exists.
“Selling vehicles with dangerously defective windshields and refusing to take responsibility for the defects is directly contrary to the safety conscious, trustworthy, and reliable image Subaru advertises,” states the Subaru class action lawsuit.
The vehicle owners maintain that Subaru refuses to honor the commitment it gave to loyal customers, is jeopardizing the safety of the public, and making its customers bear the expenses of Subaru’s mistakes.
The car owners argue that Subaru refuses to replace the defective windshields under their warranty, often stating that an impact caused the windshield to crack. The “systematic” denial of these warranty claims is one part of a “concerted effort” to minimize the cost of warranty claims and shift the costs of repairs onto the customers, the plaintiffs allege.
The plaintiffs also state that had the defendants disclosed the defect to the customers, the plaintiffs would not have purchased the vehicles or would have paid less for them.
When purchasing their vehicles, customers relied on the reasonable expectation their class vehicles would be safe and have windshields that did not have any defects and did not pose a threat to their safety, states the class action lawsuit.
“Plaintiffs and the Class members operated their Class Vehicles in a reasonably foreseeable manner and as the Class Vehicles were intended to be used but nevertheless suffered significant damages to their windshields as a result of the defect,” the Subaru class action lawsuit continues.
The Subaru class action lawsuit argues that, “Plaintiffs demand that Defendants accept responsibility for replacing damaged windshields under Subaru’s new vehicle warranty at no charge to Plaintiffs and the Classes and reimburse Plaintiffs and the Classes for losses suffered as a result of the Defect. In addition, or alternatively, Subaru should be required to buy back the Class Vehicles.”
Do you own a Subaru with a windshield that cracks? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Katrina Carroll of Carlson Lynch LLP, Peter Houghton Levan Jr. and Peter A. Muhic of Levan Law Group LLC and Amey J. Park and Russell D. Paul of Berger Montague PC.
The Subaru Windshield Class Action Lawsuit is Powell, et al. v. Subaru of America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-19114, in 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.
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202 thoughts onSubaru Cracked Windshield Class Action Revised
I bought a 2018 subaru impreza. The windshield got chipped by a rock and that same day it spread to a crack 9 inches long. I had to get the entire windshield replaced. Within a week I had to replace the coolant in the car. That same year the A/C stopped working. After complaining, they finally did a AC check and said my refrigent was low. Got it recharged, it happened AGAIN the next summer. But, they said there was no leaks, but it was somehow low again. Personally, I think that the eyesight didn’t engage as much, referencing the lane assist with great lane paint markings, non-faded. i dont know why i even bought a new one. im not happy. The resell value isn’t even that great when you sell it back to the company. The fan is loud, the soundproofing is subpar.
Forgot to mention that the car started dying around year 2.5-3. The battery was bad, they tried to tell me that I have to pay for the battery. HOW? Ive never seen a car battery go bad in 3 years. Honestly, it was BS. After speaking to them several times and after different trips (An hour away from where I live to the closest Subaru) they replaced my battery at no cost to me besides fuel and time. Pretty sure this is going to be the last time I buy a Subaru.
My 2018 Subaru Outback purchased in March 2018 has suffered numerous failures. Eight months after purchase the audio head unit failed. I waited nearly 2 months for repair due to back ordered parts. Then the windshield cracked when a glaze of ice covered it and the defroster was run, resulting in a very large crack. Thirdly, the battery has failed 3 or 4 times requiring a jump and then prolonged external charging. The dealer tested the battery before the 3 year warranty ran out; they told me it tested fine. I replaced the battery at my expense with a more powerful one. Then, finally, while traveling on vacation a fuel line ruptured (July 2021), immobilizing the vehicle for 4 – 5 days until a replacement line was obtained, fortunately covered under the drive train warranty. Would I purchase another Subaru vehicle – HELL NO!
I am about to replace windshield on my 2020 Outback XT. First crack was from a small, quarter size hail, that went all across windshield. I could possible understand if it was baseball or softball size hail. Had replace & 2 weeks later it cracked again after, what I guess was a rock. It could see maybe a small ding, but this has now expanded across the entire windshield. I have owned other vehicles that have had a crack from a rock, but usually repaired before going across entire windshield. Very discouraging.
Bought a 2020 Forrester Sport, driving it on the freeway a few weeks ago, heard a cracking sound, assumed it was a rock that had hit my car. Very small chip on passenger side just above the wiper immediately developed into a crack that spread across the lower portion of the windshield towards the driver side. Subaru dealer told me I was responsible for the repair, I didn’t even know about this defect until I found out about it online. The tiny chip in my window should not develop into a long crack immediately like that! I am not happy at Subaru dishonesty!
same thing happened to me and there were no generic windshields. so.. the windshield was 3k.
Own a 2019 Subaru Outback, 29631 miles. On September 16, 2021 while travelling on a paved road, no construction or nearby vehicles, my wife and I heard a pop (not a crack as if an impact) from the windshield area. Initially saw nothing, with in minutes a crack had started in the windshield below the bottom molding, center passenger side. That then continued for approximately 16 inches up and to the passenger side. Subaru was contacted, windshield was purchased and a repair date was set for 09/27/21. Insurance was contacted was was informed that my $750 deductible would apply upon completion of replacement. Subaru parts manager stated he was familiar with the problem and gave me the Subaru Advocates number to call for possible assistance. Three calls, no response. Upon dropping vehicle off for repairs, the service manager stated he had no knowledge of a problem. Vehicle was repaired and recalibrated on 09/28/21. An NHTSA complaint was made on 10/05/21, # 11435582. Copies of Subaru repair receipts, Insurance claim settlement and photos of damage are retained by me. Thank you for any assistance you may provide
I purchased 2021 Subaru Outback in January of 2021. Easter Sunday was a warm day. My car was parked outside. When I went to drive it, I noticed a long crack from the edge of the passenger side of the windshield. I notified my salesman, and he said no warranty coverage for replacement. I finally replaced it July 9th. On Sept 14th, I was parked with my car facing west. When I got into my car, I noticed a long crack extending from the windshield edge of the driver’s side. Neither time, did I ever recall anything hitting my windshield which would cause a crack.
We have a 2020 Outback XT with 11500 miles. Driving in a 25 mph zone and going less than 5 mph going over a speed bump, we heard a small crack noise and noticed a 3 inch crack appear starting from the edge of the windshield on the passenger side. Called Subaru delaer and they said it would not be covered by warranty. After getting off the phone, the crack had already extended to almost halfway across the windshield. A windshield should not crack from traveling over a bump in the road.
I have a Subaru Outback 3.6 2017 with a genuine Subaru replacement windshield that cracked after 154 miles. I was stopped at a traffic light in Dillon, Colorado when the crack began. There were no other moving vehicles. There was no rock or pebble that hit the windshield.
My VIN 4S4BSENC3H3269439
My 2020 Subaru Outback had the first crack after my first year. I had it replaced and 3 weeks later a stress crack started on the right bottom. It has spread to the drivers side as I wait for Subaru to decide if they will replace it. It happened in my garage over a weekend. The first crack was in the same place and happened while I was in my office, no rocks hit my windshield. They did pay my $500 deductible the first time.
Our 2020 Outback got a cracked windshield June 2, 2021, starting from about mid-way between the driver and passenger seats, at the bottom of the windshield where it is attached to the car. At the time, we thought we must have gotten hit by a rock on the road. It ultimately twisted and turned across the glass until the new windshield was finally installed on August 5th. (Yes, it took two months for Safelite to get a replacement.) On August 13th, 8 days later, it spontaneously cracked, starting in the same area, where the windshield is attached to the car. No rock or other impact can be seen. We have watched it grow both silently when it curves gradually, and with an audible cracking sound when it makes a sharp turn. I spoke with the general manager of the Subaru dealership where the car was purchased; he knows nothing about problems with the windshields. I called the NHTSA, and learned that they have received MANY complaints about Subaru windshields cracking for no reason. I will probably have to wait another two months for a replacement, drive with an unsafe windshield and EyeSight not working properly. Love the car, but very disappointed in Subaru.