Problems · by component

2019 Subaru Legacy visibility/wiper problems

49 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Legacy cite visibility/wiper, 40% of all 123 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
49
40% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the visibility/wiper

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“We had to replace the car’s original windshield due to a stone hitting it on the highway- just bad luck and something that happens from time to time. Since then, we’ve had TWO replacement windshields spontaneously crack without any impacts in the span of 3 weeks. Subaru has a major problem. These windshields are not supposed to be disposable, and no one has time or money enough to replace windshields on a weekly basis. There is clearly a defect in the windshields, their mounting, or something that needs to be corrected. This represents a major safety issue for drivers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11592264
“On 3/1/24, I had my original windshield replaced with Subaru dealership due to a crack. I paid out of pocket. On 4/21/24, the windshield cracked again for no reason. I don't recall anything hitting it. I took it to the Subaru dealership on 4/22/24, and they took no responsibility even though it was still under warranty. They claimed it was due to something hitting the windshield, but they did replace it for free because we were "loyal customers". On 4/30/24, it developed a substantial crack again. I remember some small pebble hitting the windshield but not hard enough to cause it to crack. I was DONE with Subaru so I took it to Safelite to get it replaced on 5/10/24. Again paying out of pocket. This is my third windshield replacement in less than two months. I feel that the Subaru brand windshield is defective. It cracks easily for no reason. I've never had this happen so frequently with any of my other cars I've owned.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11589441
“UNKNOWN. A very small pebble flew up from the road onto the lower passenger's side windshield, creating a small chip, approximately 2 mm, in the glass. Within 10 minutes, the glass started to hairline crack leftward by about 4 inches. I parked the car and checked a few hours later, and the crack was deeper and over a foot in length. It continued to grow with the car was parked, and was about 18 inches when I left work several hours later. I marked the end point of the crack on the inside glass when I arrived home to see if the crack would stabilize in size. The car was parked overnight and the crack has continued to grow in length and appears deeper this morning. What should have been a small chip, that would have been easy to repair, has become a major crack in the glass, one that continues to grow and is obscuring visibility as a result. My cost estimate to replace the windshield is over $1,000. It's my opinion the glass is as weak in my model car as in other Subarus that have this known glass issue where the repairs were covered under warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11573382
“The windshield of my vehicle randomly cracked from the driver’s side at the base of the windshield to about halfway across. Nothing hit the windshield whatsoever. I just heard a low sounding pop and discovered the crack.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2023Visibility/wiperODI 11534944
“ON 17JUL2022 A LONG CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD(FRONT). THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AS THE WINDSHIELD CAN BREAK AND IMPACT MY SAFETY IN THE CAR AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AROUND THE CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11474480
“Windshield developed small crack & expanded to windshield wide in a few hours. Cracked windshield & crack expansion is unsafe. Not reproduced or confirmed. Not inspected. No warning lamps.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11448933

Showing 6 of 49 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2019 Legacy problem areas