NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK WHILE PARKED IN A CLOSED, PRIVATE GARAGE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED DRIVERS SIDE VERY LOW. IT DOES NOT IMPEDE VISION DRIVING AND I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING MY OUTBACK. I STOPPED FOR AN ERRAND AND CAME OUT AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. I HAD USED MY DEFROST ON THE TRIP AS THE WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGING. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON MY 2015 OUTBACK TOO. *TR
11/16/2018 DEAD BATTERY FOR NO KNOWN REASON 6/15/2019 DEAD BATTERY FOR NO KNOWN REASON
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the infotainment system screen operated independently and an unknown notification alert sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
REAR LIFTGATE OPERATES INTERMITTENT AND WHEN OPEN INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT CLOSE; I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE LIFTGATE NOT FULLY CLOSED OR LATCHED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN SERVICE SEVEN TIMES.
WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKS DRIVING 64MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON. JUST SPIDER CRACKED.
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.
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.
REAR LIFT GATE MALFUNCTIONING. WILL NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY AFTER APPX 18'. ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, AUTO CLOSURE WORKING.
WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY UPON STARTING MY 2018 OUTBACK I SMELLED STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE SPRAYING THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH GAS MIST/DROPLETS IN A FULL BLOWN SHOWER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF,VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND SAW THAT IT HAD RUPTURED NEAR THE ENGINE PLENUM INTAKE, APPROXIMATE SIZE 1/8"1/4" (PHOTO ATTACHED). CAR HAS LESS THAN 2900 MILES ON IT. POTENTIALLY VIBRATION FROM BRACKET MOUNT/INAPPROPRIATE MATERIALS USED FOR FUEL SUPPLY LINE. FUEL SUPPLY LINE APPEARS TO BE POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC INSIDE NON-REINFORCED RUBBER OUTER SHELL. HOSE USES FRICTION CLAMPS TO ATTACH TO FIREWALL AND ENGINE PLENUM.
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
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.
WHILE PARKED IN THE SUN AND WITH A SUNSHADE INSTALLED INSIDE, WE RETURNED TO OUR CAR AND REMOVED THE SUNSHIELD AND NOTICED A NEW WINDSHIELD CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. SITTING STILL. THIS CAR HAS THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND INSURANCE AND SUBARU SAY NOT COVERED. CAR HAS JUST TURNED 12,000 MILES AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED AT HOME. SUBARU HAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS AND MY DEALERSHIP SAYS SO.
THE STEERING WHEEL OF THIS CAR RANDOMLY TAKES OVER, FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON, AT HIGH SPEEDS (OVER 45 MPH). I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DRIVING THIS CAR HAS BEEN TERRIFYING! WHILE PASSING A TRACTOR TRAILER, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED ME TOWARDS THE TRUCK 3 TIMES!!! I THOUGHT I WOULD BE KILLED! THIS IS A LOANER CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, COLONIAL SUBARU, IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA, TO TELL THEM THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT OUT OF LANE ASSIST MODE. THIS, HOWEVER, DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CAR RANDOMLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT, WHEN LANE DRIFTING ISN'T AN ISSUE. WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? I SEE THERE ARE ALREADY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS WITH THE 2019 VEHICLE MODEL.
THE STEERING WITH LANE DEPARTURE WARNING WILL SOMETIMES JERK THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AS IF SELF CORRECTING, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS WELL WITHIN THE LANE. AT TIMES THE CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE IT IS HYDROPLANING ON DRY GROUND WITH LITTLE STEERING FEEDBACK. PURCHASED USED WITH A CARFAX REPORT INDICATING NO PROBLEMS. IT IS A VERY SCARY FEELING ON DRY SURFACES TO GET NO STEERING FEEDBACK OR HAVE THE CAR SELF CORRECT THE EVEN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. AT 20,000 MILES HAD AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED, DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ONLINE THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE WITH NO VIABLE SOLUTIONS. OUR FAMILY ALWAYS WANTED A SUBARU FOR SAFETY, BUT THIS FEELS VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN THE LANE DEPARTURE SELF CORRECTS THERE IS LITTLE STEERING FEEDBACK AND THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE GUIDING ITSELF AND STEERING DURING THESE TIMES SEEMS VERY LOOSE.
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.
CAN NOT SEE BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN IN DAYTIME WITH BRIGHT SUNLIGHT SHINING THROUGH WINDSHIELD
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.
WINDSHIELD CRACKS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH 2018 AND THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TWO WERE THE RESULT OF ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD - THE THIRD WAS JUST A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. .I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 45 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK - THIS WINDHIELD CRACKS CONSTANTLY. - THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED
CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO REASON. ALSO, RADIO IS CONTINUALLY DEFUNCT.
WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CRACK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER PORTION WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE GLASS FROM ANY SOURCE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35MPH. THE CRACK CONTINUED ACROSS THE GLASS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND GLASS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE OR IMPACT TO THE GLASS.
1. DEFECT IN WINDSHIELDS OR FRAMING AREA. I'VE HAD 4 WINDSHIELD CRACK IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT AND HAVE REPLACED 3 SO FAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ADDING MY NAME AND CAR TO THE COMPLAINTS SAYING THE WINDSHIELDS IN THEIR SUBARU VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND ARE SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKING, AND BREAKING, SOMETIMES 'WITHIN WEEKS OR A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE.' I USUALLY NOTICE UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR IN THE MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK OR RETURNING FROM BEING AWAY FROM IT ALL DAY. MY CAR INSURANCE HAS COVERED ALL BUT $100 OF THE BILLS OVER THE SPAN OF 2 YEARS, LUCKILY. BUT MY TIME IS VALUABLE. 2. RADIO/MULTIMEDIA SCREEN SOMETIMES DOESN'T COME ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND WON'T WORK UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON LATER. 3. CHINCY MATERIAL, SEEMS TO DENT VEEEERY EASILY, DOES NOT LIVE UP TO HIGH STANDARDS AND DURABILITY THEY RAVE ABOUT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ALL HAS DINGED MY CAR BUT IT IS WAY MORE FREQUENT THAN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED. I USUALLY NOTICE WALKING UP TO IT FROM BEING PARKED. COULD BE FROM DRIVING DOWN ROAD THOUGH. 4. BATTERY LIFE IS SHORT. CAR WAS NOT RUN FOR 5 DAYS AND BATTERY WAS DEAD. CLAIMS TO BE AN OUTDOORSY CAR SO WHY WOULD IT BE SET UP TO KILL THE BATTERY SO QUICKLY? MY DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND GAVE ME A BIGGER BATTERY TO HELP "FIX" THAT ISSUE. *TR
SMOKE ELECTRICAL SHORT ISSUE IN DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. DIAGNOSED BY SUBARU MECHANIC TO BE A SHORT IN THE APPROACH LIGHT MODULE. SIGNIFICANT SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM MIRROR WITH BURN MARKS ON BOTTOM INSIDE MIDDLE OF MIRROR. THE CAR HAD JUST CAME TO REST IN A HOSPITAL PARKING DECK. CAR WAS REMOVED FROM DECK IN ORDER TO PREVENT FIRE HAZARD. NOTE - A 10 AMP FUSE DID BLOW WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE OF THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) AND THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK SYSTEM.
IN DEC 2018 THE FUEL LINE OF MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN CHEWED THROUGH BY A RODENT AND WAS LEAKING IN THE CAR. TOTAL DAMAGE WAS OVER $2000. IN MAY 2019 ANOTHER $3500 DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED FROM A RODENT CHEWING ON ELECTRICAL HARNESSES IN THE DASH. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS BECAUSE SUBARU IS NOW USING SOY-BASED INSULATION FOR FUEL LINES, WIRING, AND ELECTRICAL HARNESSES. RODENTS ARE ATTRACTED TO THE SOY BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS FOOD. IN BOTH CASES MY DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR WHILE IT IS PARKED. BUT WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A CHEWED WIRE CAME LOOSE THAT SHORTED SOMETHING OUT AND IMPACTED MY ABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR? OR WHAT IF THE FUEL LINE BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SUDDENLY STALL? MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE MATERIALS (E.G. SOY) THAT ACTUALLY ATTRACT RODENTS. IF ANYTHING, THEY SHOULD BE USING MATERIALS THAT DETER RODENTS. FUEL LINES AND ELECTRICAL HARNESSES ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF A CAR AND THESE SYSTEMS ARE NEEDLESSLY BEING PUT AT RISK BY USING SOY TO PRODUCE THEM. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING FOR SUBARU BECAUSE PART OF THEIR IMAGE ENCOURAGES THEIR OWNERS TO EXPLORE "THE GREAT OUTDOORS." WHAT HAPPENS WHY I GO CAMPING AND PARK MY CAR IN THE WOODS AND CHIPMUNKS CHEW THROUGH MY COMPONENTS AND STRAND ME IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE? OR, WORSE, A CRITICAL SYSTEM ON THE CAR FAILS AS I'M DRIVING HOME AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. THE USE OF SOY-BASED COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. OR, IF IT IS, OEMS SHOULD COVER RODENT DAMAGE TO THESE SYSTEMS UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE VERY LEAST, OEMS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THE USE OF SOY IN THE CAR BEFORE A VEHICLE IS PURCHASED. I HAD NO IDEA SOY-BASED PRODUCTS WERE USED IN THIS CAR. HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. FYI... SUBARU DENIES USING SOY PRODUCTS.
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT BOOT UP AT START. LOSS OF NAVIGATION, BACKUP CAMERA, HANDS FREE PHONE, SIRIUS RADIO.
I HAVE OWNED MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR 8 MONTHS. THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN THE SAME SPOT TWICE ALREADY. IT STARTS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDS ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I NEVER HEARD A ROCK HITTING, NOR WAS THERE A DING IN THE WINDSHIELD. I GOT IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME AND WITHIN A WEEK IT CRACKED IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT. IT WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES WE NOTICED THE CRACK.
WINDSHIELD SEVERELY STRESS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY DEALER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE REPLACED. WINDSHIELD CONTRACTOR TOLD ME THAT SUBARU IS USING THINNER GLASS NOW THAT STRESSES VERY EASILY. HE HAD JUST REPLACED THE SAME THE DAY BEFORE MINE. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD FROM STRESS BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, BUT I DID NOTICE A SMALL CRACK AND THEN IT WENT SIDEWAYS ACROSS FROM DRIVER TO PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDOW.
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
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE IN MOTION, AFFECTED VISIBILITY SO I HAD IT REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ALBANY SUBARU LOCATED AT 718 SAN PABLO AVE, ALBANY, CA 94706, (510) 528-1244, WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS A POP AND A CRACK APPEARED AT THE BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CRACK HAS EVER SINCE GROWN ACROSS AND NOW REACHED THE PASSENGER SIDE.
MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS BRAKE FADE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, BRAKE LOSS (PETAL GOES TO FLOOR) AFTER BEING PARKED OR DRIVING, AND BRAKE LOSS IN X-MODE ( X MODE FEATURE CONTROLS BRAKING/SPEED ON STEEP SLIPPERY ROADS.SUBARU DEALER MADE 4 UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR ATTEMPTS. SUBARU OF AMERICA FLEW IN A FIELD ENGINEER, TIED UP MY CAR 3 WEEKS BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL ALSO. MATHEW IN A RECORDED MESSAGE SOA'S SERVICE REP.CONFIRMED THE BRAKE ISSUES & CLAIMED SOA WAS TESTING ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS. ON 01/07/2020 MY 2018 SUBARU ,STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANT, FAILED TO PASS A NY STATE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. I CAN NOT LEGALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ON NY ROADS. SOA OFFERED ME $ 2,500.00 TO GO AWAY. I HAVE MADE VIDEOS OF MY BRAKE LOSS IT OCCURS SO FREQUENTLY. NHTSA HAS SEVERAL BRAKE FAILURE COMPLAINTS WITH ROLL OVER, INJURIES & 5 CAR PILE UPS. I BELIEVE SOA REFUSES TO HELP ME IN ORDER TO CIRCUMVENT A RECALL. THE 2017 OUTBACK HAD A BRAKE FADE ISSUE THAT SOA DID A SECRET REPAIR ACCORDING TO ONLINE INFO. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION.
WHILE DRIVING ON A TRIP, A CRACK APPEARED ON THE LOWER PASSENGER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD AND PROCEEDED TO GROW UP AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. OFTEN TIMES THE CRACK GROWTH WAS OBSERVABLE. SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER BECAUSE THE CRACK HAD ALREADY EXCEEDED THEIR SIZE LIMIT BEFORE IT COULD GET INTO A SHOP. NO PRECEDING EVENT, LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, WAS OBSERVED. THE LOCATION OF THE DIVOT WAS TOO LOW AND CLOSE TO THE WIPER BLADE FOR A ROCK AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
THE ENTIRE "INFOTAINMENT" SYSTEM, CENTRAL DISPLAY CONSOLE, AND CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT WORK. IT WILL NOT TURN ON. THE SCREEN IS BLACK. NOTHING WORKS. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA SAFETY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THE RADIO, BLUETOOTH, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THIS SYMPTOM IS CONSTANT. IT OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY, IN MOTION, IN CITY, HIGHWAY, TURNING - ALWAYS. IN REVERSE THE REARVIEW CAMERA DOES NOT DISPLAY AN IMAGE. THE HANDS FREE CALLING SYSTEM/BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK - AGAIN, THIS ISSUE IS CONSTANT REGARDLESS OF CONDITIONS.
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE GREW AND THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED AS A RESULT OF AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER BEFORE THE FIRE, WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD LOW MILEAGE FOR A ONE YEAR OLD VEHICLE.
WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN I START TO TURN. ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE CAR ESSENTIALLY STOPS IN MID TURN. THIS LEAVES ME EXPOSED TO A BROADSIDE COLLISION. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT AND IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. IN THE LAST 1000 MILES IT HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES. AFTER THE HESITATION, ABOUT 3 -5 SECONDS, IT STARTS TO MOVE. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN MOVING FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER AFTER COMING TO A NEAR STOP DUE TO A CLOSED LANE IN THE ROAD.
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.
I OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IN THAT YEAR MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE TIMES ACROSS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD UPON IMPACT OF A TINY ROCK. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED ON MY AC WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SPLIT- I COULDN'T EVEN FIND A CHIP THAT CAUSED THE HUGE CRACK. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS OVER $800 EACH TIME SO I SOLD THE VEHICLE AFTER THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST CRACK WAS IN APRIL 2019 AND THE LAST WAS IN AUGUST 2019. I INVOLVED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THAT I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS HOT OUT AND THAT'S WHY THE GLASS WAS CRACKING, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD BEHAVE IN THAT MANNER BEFORE, NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE.
THE HEAD UNIT IN THE SOUND SYSTEM/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ALL SOUND FUNCTIONS. I DON'T GET ANY WARNINGS OF PROBLEMS AS THE SOUND SYSTEM SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS UNSAFE. TO DATE, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED WHAT HE CALLS AN AMPLIFIER TWICE. THE NEW UNIT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS AND THEN FAILS AGAIN. SO FAR, THE OTHER COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO THIS SYSTEM -- BACK UP CAMERA, FOR INSTANCE, STILL WORK. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT THE REAR HATCH HAS OPENED BY ITSELF THREE TIMES, EACH TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. ONCE, THIS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN BECAUSE WE DID NOT DISCOVER IT FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS. ONCE, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REAR HATCH BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW IT WAS OPEN AND IT WAS DAMAGED BY THE GARAGE DOOR WHEN WE OPENED IT REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE.
I have had considerable starting and battery trouble with my 2018 Subaru Outback... Shortly after purchasing the Outback, I had to get a jump start a couple of times, I thought it was my fault due to leaving a light on in the back of the cabin. When I took it in for the 1st oil change, I told the service manager. So since they knew me (It was my 4th Subaru), they checked the system cleaned the post, and I left. I was back 3 or 4 weeks later to get a new battery. I went back this week because I've had to buy jumper cables So I could jump my car off for the 6th or 7th time since I brought it in to get the new battery last year. I understand that there have been a large number of folks experiencing similar problems, and I thought it would be best to add my voice.
THREE ITEMS: WHEN VEHICLE IS SWITCHED-ON - VIDEO DISPLAY FOR REVERSE/BACKUP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. DISPLAY COMPONENTS ARE RESPONDING TO TOUCH BUT NO AUDIO IS HEARD FOR RADIO, PHONE, OR NAVIGATION. ONCE VEHICLE IS SWITCHED-OFF - DISPLAY CONSOLE AND SIDE LIGHTS (ON CENTER COMPUTER) REMAIN ILLUMINATED PULLING FROM THE BATTERY. NOW MY CAR IS DEAD AND REQUIRES A JUMP!
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WINDSHIELD STARRED THEN CRACKED ACROSS MOST OF WINDSHIELD WIDTH QUICKLY. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR AND THERE WAS NO DEBRIS IN ROADWAY. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; WINDSHIELD HAS LONG SINCE BEEN REPLACED.
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 THIS EVERY 2 MONTHS, IT WILL SURPASS THE AMOUNT I USED TO PURCHASE THE CAR?. IT HAS BEEN WIDELY SPOKEN THAT OUTBACK HAS A WINDSHIELD DEFECT. THOUGH THEY HAD SOME RECALLS IN 2015, EVEN THE NEWER VERSIONS LIKE MINE 2018, HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE OUTBACKS WINSHIELD CANNOT WITHSTAND EVEN SMALL STONES. YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR THE IMPACT OF EVEN A RAINDROP FALLING ON THE GLASS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE GONE TO THE POINT OF MAKING SURE THAT MY WINDESIELF IS NOT CRACKED WHEN IT RAINS WITH HAIL AT TIMES. DOING SO MAKE ME STRESSFUL ABOUT MY SAFETY AS WELL AS FINANCIAL BURDEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. IT CANNOT BE CONSIDERED AS EXTERNAL IMPACT BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER CARS DRIVING ALONG SIDE THE HIGHWAY AND WERE EXPOSED TO THE SAME ROCK CHIPS FROM A TRUCK, ONLY MY OUTBACKS WINSHIELD CRACKED. 2 OF THE CRACKS WAS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEREAS THE OTHER ONE WAS WHILE DRIVING NEAR MY HOME (A VERY VERY RARE SCENARIO). I HOPE THIS ISSUE IS NOTICES AS THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND SUBURU HAS SO FAR IGNORED ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND THE TAXPAYER ENDS UP PAYING THE COST OF THE VEHICLE FOR ITS REPAIRS DUE TO A DEFECT FROM SUBARU'S END
VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL AT 50 MPH AND HIGHER SPEEDS. STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE AND LIKE VEHICLE IS HYDROPLANING ON DRY SURFACES. ON OCCASION IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A GUST OF WIND AND FLOATS. VEHICLE FEELS VERY INSECURE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT'S SCARY!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CRACKED. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE FAR LEFT CORNER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUST IN THE MIDDLE AT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL PEBBLE BOUNCING OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED IT WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING. THE DEALER BUD CLARY AUTO GROUP (1030 COMMERCE AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632 (360) 423-1700) REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTO GLASS COMPANY WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED NEAR MIDDLE TOP OF WINDSHIELD, FROM EDGE ABOUT 6-8INCHES AND WITHIN THE FIELD OF VIEW OF THE EYESIGHT CAMERAS
VIDEO SCREEN FOR THE DISPLAY OF THE BACKUP CAMERA VIEW IS NOT WORKING.
PROBLEMS & FAILURES include: 1. Repeated battery failures, towed over 12 times since car was purchased in 2017. Left [XXX] and [XXX] stranded and/or stranded in the dark on more than once occasion. Repeated (6+ attempts) to repair and/or replace the battery (local Subaru dealership) with no success- DRIVER SAFETY RISK. Two ADULTS (seniors) should not be repeatedly stranded in the middle of nowhere. Subaru issued battery recalls and was engaged in a lawsuit regarding this matter. 2. Cracks in windshield giving "spackle" pattern/ indicating weakness: DRIVER SAFETY RISK; multiple recalls. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, and if the windshield is thinner than industry standard poses risk of death. 3. Gas Tank door not opening & leakage 4. Subaru Radio Always on/ Comes on when car has started, no way to stop it or turn off. Was informed that "this is normal" which is outright false. DISTRACTING AND DRIVER SAFETY RISK 5. Acceleration Issue: Subaru Outback speeds up (lurches) sporadically on its own with no way for driver to control- DRIVER SAFETY RISK 6. Transmission Engine (Red Switch) Light always on- EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF 7. Steering Wheel Issues (Inclusive of) Self Correcting Feature Impeding Driver Discretion: DRIVER SAFETY RISK if the DRIVER HAS NO CONTROL OR HAS TO FIGHT THE CAR 8: Electric System MALFUNCTION (inclusive of but not limited to) **Control area network*** (Electric features remain on even though car is “off” and the battery continually drains) It has been shown online that Subaru needed to do a network patch to resolve issues). ** Dealership did not disclose if a new battery was installed if battery tests were done with copies of reports 9. Vehicle still dead in garage (after numerous repairs allegedly took place nov/dec 2023) All problems have been inspected and/or tested and/or replaced on a multitude of occasions with ZERO success. With the exception of the gas tank door all items pose AN ONGOING SERIOUS SAFTEY RISK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
HEAD UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. INTERMITTENT PHONE MUTING, INTERMITTENT PHONE DISCONNECT, NO VOLUME THROUGH APPLE CAR PLAY WHILE IN PARK, SPEAKERS COME THROUGH ON WEIRD CHANNEL EXTREMELY LOUDLY ALL OF A SUDDEN, NO VOLUME ON RADIO, CHANNELS ON RADIO ALL OF A SUDDEN CHANGE, PULSATING POWER SIGNAL THROUGH USB PORT(CHANGED MULTIPLE CABLES)SAYS ITS CHARGING DEVICE BUT DEVICE DIES, VOICE COMMAND BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, PHONE CONNECTED ON CAR PLAY BUT CAR SAYS NO PHONE CONNECTED. STARLINK WILL NOT START UP AND HAVE TO RESTART CAR. INTERMITTENTLY SQUEALING IN THE CAR. FOR ALL PROBLEMS CAR MAY BE MOVING OR STATIONARY. IN PARK OR DRIVE OR REVERSE. MAY BE ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD CONDITION GOING ANY DIRECTION. THIS INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE ONSET OF OWNERSHIP.
THE WINDSHIELD KEPT CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES