2018 Subaru Outback Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 273about this part
- Share
- 33%of 816 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 273 complaints about the visibility of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 33% of the 816 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello! So I just got this Subaru a few weeks ago and today in the right side look like the tinniest rock in the world hit it and cracked my windshield. I've talked to a few a my buddy's who own Subaru's as well and was told to contact y'all because the new models have a very thin windshield and y'all will have it taken care of. Thanks for your time. Cody.”
NHTSA complaint #11402598, filed 2021-03, 15,000 miles“Like many others, my windshield started cracking in 2 separate places. One long crack from just above the wiper blade spanning 18 inches, and another one that starts from midway up on the passenger side about 2 feet long that almost links up with the other one. Windshield was not struck and just occurred while in my driveway and garage in florida.”
NHTSA complaint #11337712, filed 2020-07, 52,000 miles“Ii was parked at a friends residence for about four hours. When I left and was still on his driveway I saw that my windshield had a crack in it from the bottom of the passenger side going up about a third of the windshield and continuing towards the drivers side about ten inches. There had been no impact with anything, the crack appeared on it's own.”
NHTSA complaint #11383701, filed 2020-12, 46,050 miles“2018 Subaru Outback windshield cracked while on highway. No apparent stone hit it. Replaced on 3/5/2019. Friend sent me a website where it was noted that multiple others Subaru owners experienced the same occurrence. It stated to file a complaint with you. I am unable to scan or upload repair paperwork but I have my receipt from the repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11320743, filed 2020-04, 20,000 miles“Sudden cracking of the windshield. No rocks or pebbles hit the windshield. In the morning I entered my vehicle (that was stationary all night) and noticed a 2 inch crack that didn't exist the day before. By afternoon, the crack grew to almost half the windshield and we needed to replace it. Glass claim was placed via geico who replaced the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11291110, filed 2019-12, 10,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V935000Dec 31, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio…Covers: Subaru Outback 2018, Legacy 2018, BRZ 2018
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 23 | 22% |
| 2023 | 19 | 21% |
| 2022 | 280 | 60% |
| 2021 | 107 | 36% |
| 2020 | 383 | 43% |
| 2019 | 387 | 37% |
| 2018 | 273 | 33% |
| 2017 | 233 | 25% |
| 2016 | 91 | 14% |
| 2015 | 143 | 28% |
| 2014 | 10 | 5% |
| 2013 | 14 | 5% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 7 | 9% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Outback
267 complaintsOther or unknown
163 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsWheels
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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