2019 Subaru Outback

I'm writing to document an issue regarding a potential windshield malfunction. I know there have been previous lawsuits about the fragility of Subaru windshields, including with the Outback model. Additionally, there are posts about this issue on several auto forums. I've had this car since August 2019 and in three short years I've had to complete the following three repairs: chip to the windshield -- repair (April 2021), crack on windshield -- total replacement (February 2022), and chip to the windshield -- repair (December 2022). Beyond what seems like a statistical anomaly, this high number of windshield repairs also seems very unreasonable for two more reasons: 1) I only have a 15-mile commute two days per week, and 2) I was working at home for months at a time during two COVID shutdowns within this same three-year time period. Each chip/crack has happened while driving, from a point of impact on the windshield; however, this is a new problem since owning this car -- I've had the same commute since 2013 without this issue (previous car was a Mitsubishi Lancer). A windshield that is prone to easy chips and cracking is a clear safety risk, both to myself and to others. My windshield has not been inspected by the dealer, but I know that other windshields of my make/model have been inspected by other dealers and manufacturers. Additionally, the glass repair service that has handled each repair noted that they've also heard of issues with Subarus and that they've seen my car far more often than vehicles of other brands.

While driving slowly in traffic on the highway my windshield started to crack on the front passenger side. No rocks or debris were seen by myself. Even if a minuscule pebble were to have hit the windshield, the crack spread to over a foot in minutes and this seems like a fault on Subarus engineering. Wish I had known when I got this car two weeks ago.

One morning when I got my car from the garage, it had a cracked windshield near the driver size bottom glass. Happened overnight while in the garage. Took it to Subaru and they agreed to replace it under warranty. They put in a new one, and as I was driving on the freeway, I heard a huge boom sound from the windshield, which startled me! They another boom/cracking sound. The windshield didn't crack, but it was terrifying. I took it back to Subaru and they checked it and did something to help with the seal. A few months later, the windshield cracked from the passenger side edge. Within minutes of driving, it spread half way across the windshield. Nothing had hit my windshield. I am on my 3rd windshield, by the way. There is a problem.

The windshield cracked without any impact, vehicle was sitting in the garage and when I came back to it there was a large 8-10 in crack across the driver side. My visibility is impacted and potentially my safety should the strength of the windshield be compromised. Additionally, the safety systems built into the vehicle may be impacted by the crack. The dealership is refusing to complete service to replace the windshield. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else yet. No warning lamps, messages, or signs appeared before the windshield cracked.

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STARTED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GRADUALLY CONTINUED TOWARD THE CENTER. IF IT CONTINUED IT COULD AFFECT MY DRIVER VISION AND THE "EYE SIGHT" SAFETY SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO SAFELIGHT FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH AN AFTERMARKET BRAND. THE SUBARU WINDSHIELD WAS TOO THIN (THEIR OPPINION BASED ON PREVIOUS REPAIRS).

On August 30, 2022 a small road chip hit my windshield as I was driving around 30 mph. I was surprised to discover that the windshield cracked at the site of the impact on the passenger side of the vehicle. The crack was approximately 12 inches long. Upon inspection the impact crater is very small, less than 1/16" by 1/32" and shallow, although the road chip was so small and vehicle speed so slow, I am surprised the windshield showed any damage at all. Later that day after leaving the vehicle parked I returned to discover that the windshield crack had lengthened to about 28" while the vehicle was parked. This is the THIRD windshield I have had to replace on the 2019 Subaru Outback! All windshields have been replaced by Subaru. I have concerns about the vehicle safety. Will the windshield protect the occupants of the vehicle from road debris as it is supposed to? Will the windshield rip open and injure the vehicle occupants when a minor object hits the windshield? Who should pay for the repair of the substandard windshield and increased auto insurance due to a high incidence of windshield claims? Is this vehicle safe to drive?