2018 Subaru Outback: Windshield cracks easily
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Outback report: windshield cracks easily. CarComplaints.com lists 18 owner complaints, average mileage 8,350 miles.
NHTSA has 273 owner complaints for the 2018 Outback in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767919 (filed 09/29/2026): “The 8-inch gen 3 harman starlink touchscreen is delaminating/bubbling. it registers phantom touch inputs and becomes unresponsive on its own while the vehicle is in motion, changing audio, navigation, and system settings without driver input. if a phone is eve…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11672695 (filed 07/11/2025): “This is the third time my windshield has cracked in the last three years.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace windshield (16 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Leaks can often be traced with a water test and resealed; glass replacement is a pro job. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $650 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .