2016 Subaru Legacy Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 12%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Subaru Legacy, 12% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Chip in the windshield in my direct line of sight, I am not aware of anything hitting the windshield to cause it. I purchased vehicle used only 3 months ago. When I purchased it the dealership had mentioned that they had just replaced the windshield. So the new windshield was only 3 months old.”
NHTSA complaint #11399247, filed 2021-03, 67,000 miles“The windshield cracked about 1inch for no reason, driving off of the lot after purchasing my used Subaru Legacy. The next day, another crack appeared while driving slow speeds on a flat roadway. The second crack is located in a new location, and spans about 2-2.5 ft'about 3/4 the length of the entire windshield. After researching, I came across a lawsuit currently filed against Subaru america for this very issue'easily cracked windshields for these years and models.”
NHTSA complaint #11329831, filed 2020-06, 60,000 miles“My windshield spontaneously developed a crack while parked in my driveway for a week. No debris was found around the vehicle. Looks like it started with the top passenger side and extended 1 foot down and 1.5 feet across to the drivers side.”
NHTSA complaint #11243439, filed 2019-08, 69,000 miles“In the less than two years I have owned my vehicle, I have had to replace the windshield once (when it was less than a year old) and repaired cracks 3 times, the latest being today. All damages were done by gravel picked off the road, and not in construction zones. Not only have I never had any problems with my previous vehicle driving down the same roads, in the same state of repair, but neither have my parents in 20+ years of driving 5 different makes/models on the same roads. …”
NHTSA complaint #11033064, filed 2017-10, 25,000 miles“I have had issues with my Subaru windshield where I have had to get the windshield replaced multiple times in a short time span. Within the last year, I've had to replaced the windshield twice already(21jul2017 and 11may2018). After getting the car back last friday (may 11th, 2018) after getting the second replacement, I got another crack/chip while driving home from work under normal driving conditions. I fear that this latest crack may spread and will force me to replace the windshield for a third time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11094012, filed 2018-05, 54,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10188151Feb 1, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) Quality Assurance has identified an increase in the number of cracked windshields on some 2015 and 2016MY Legacy and Outback models. SOA has now…
- 10186430Jan 27, 2021Windshield Extension parameter changes
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 24% |
| 2023 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 17 | 50% |
| 2021 | 6 | 19% |
| 2020 | 66 | 55% |
| 2019 | 51 | 41% |
| 2018 | 32 | 27% |
| 2017 | 35 | 29% |
| 2016 | 18 | 12% |
| 2015 | 41 | 26% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 9% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 17 | 9% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 6% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 6 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Legacy
51 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology