2024 Subaru Outback

In the 5 whole days of ownership, our windshield chipped pretty easily from a small rock kicked up by another vehicle on the freeway. I’ve had a number of rocks and other things hit the windshield of plenty other cars i’ve had or have driven and non of them have ever chipped or cracked. We barely heard a pop, but all of a sudden a crack appeared. This event happed going maybe 50 mph at the most and caused great alarm for my wife who was driving. We were worried she would lose control of the vehicle. The outside temperature was 114 degrees, maybe that had something to do with it. Either way, we’re worried the crack will quickly expand on our way home to the Bay Area from San Diego. My neighbor and friends hav the same vehicle and mentioned having to replace their windshields multiple times from cracks. They all mention they have models with EyeSight technology.

I was traveling on highway 97 in Oregon and encountered a stretch of highway that had been recently graveled. I slowed down and was immediately passed by a long string of 18 wheeled trucks. By the time the string of trucks passed I had three separate chips in my windshield. The windshield should not break nearly so easy. The gravel used to resurface roads is very small and should never have caused that much damage. I believe the windshield in my Subaru Outback is far too flimsy and should be considered a material defect. They should be recalled and replaced with a more substantial windshield.

Subaru case # 231102-1901318 - recorded phone call for full discussion between me & Subaru to address this safety issue due to engineering Tried to help Subaru; was told: : "Engineering is not a consumer facing department." Driver side mirror does not adjust enough outboard to prevent blind spot from being larger than an approaching 4 door long bed pick up in lane to the left of 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Photo #1: with driver side mirror fully adjusted outboard, body of vehicle fills >1/3, <1/2 of mirror area. Should be just a hint of vehicle side. (I'm under 6' tall but drive with seat fairly back & seat back fairly forward. Photo #2 & #3: measured mirror deflection inside housing showing maximum driver side LESS than passenger side (When, given left side driver position, should be same or other way around. Have only good things to say about dealer. Purchased a handful of Subaru's there with positive results. Have only good things to say about Subaru customer service for ~ 25 previous years - until now. They refused to escalate my attempt to help them fix this obvious safety issue. An argument can be made that the blind spot monitor flashes. To which I respond: If you have a dog, do you stop locking your doors? If you have credit monitoring, can you click on all your suspect emails and leave your checkbook & credit cards out? Dealer service manager examined mirror: 1) mirror is same as on other similar models. 2) internal elements might be adjustable to improve ... but 3) Says Subaru engineering refused to authorize any internal mirror adjustment by dealer service department.

While driving on a state highway in the Phoenix Arizona area the moonroof glass exploded and shattered. The time was approximately 9:45 PM, the outside temperature was approximately 95*F , interior AC was set to MAX/AC, speed was 75 MPH. There was no indication of an object hitting the glass and the glass appeared to be broken from the inside going out.