Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Subaru Crosstrek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact stated that the majority of the shattered glass blew up and out of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, he noticed that the windshield had cracked on the passenger side. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,700.
On Friday evening, [redacted], while closing the rear driver-side window, I heard a loud mechanical snap, after which the window failed to operate. The window regulator has binding issues (as documented in Subaru TSB 07-189-21R). This mechanical binding disables the anti-entrapment (anti-pinch) safety feature. The sensor is bypassed by the binding/mechanical failure, the window will not reverse when it hits an obstruction. This creates a direct entrapment and crush risk for passengers, specifically young children. A Subaru Customer Advocacy Manager (Jennifer) admitted on a recorded line that "the part should not break" (Case #[redacted]). Despite this admission and the documented safety risk, Subaru of America refused to authorize a safety repair. The failure was inspected and confirmed by an authorized Subaru Service Center (Walser St Paul). …
I bought this car January 2021. In June 2021, the smallest pebble cracked my windshield while I was driving on the freeway. Yesterday, 3/28/22, I was driving home from work like usual and my sunroof spontaneously exploded and completely shattered. Yep, you read that right. Don't believe me? Search up: Subaru exploded sunroof on Google. Thank god I had the sunroof shade closed or else the glass would've fallen all over me. I suffer from trauma caused by a past car accident where I was in the passenger and do not take broken glass lightly which is why I chose Subaru to be my first car that I bought. I came home shaking and found out that other subaru owners experienced the same phenomenon after doing some research. However, Subaru does not want to take responsibility for this. …
Upon entering the vehicle (parked in the garage) I looked at the rear view mirror which I always do as I reverse. I noticed a crack on the windshield behind the mirror. The crack was not there when I entered the garage because I had to use the garage remote on the mirror to open the garage door. I would have noticed it (crack). The crack appeared suddenly. I am reporting this problem because I read that another owner, of similar vehicle, has complained about the same issue and almost with same mileage on his car. Same year vehicle too. Given the windshield/Glass history Subaru has with the Outback model, I wonder if this problem is transferred to the Subaru Crosstrek. The two vehicles do share the same type of glass!!!
Windshield chips easily. I have owned this car from new (approximately 18 months). The windshield has picked up 7 chips in that time: more than the total of chips I've had in my 29 years of driving. Only one of the chips had a notable sound that accompanied it's creation, and that was from the impact of a large insect while driving on I-77. This windshield seems to be easily damaged, if not fragile, and gives me concern about the potential for injury if it was faced with any substantial impact. I'm also concerned about the high replacement costs for the windshield and required Eyesight re-calibration. If I had known the windshields where so susceptible to damage, I would not have picked a Subaru.
Windshield cracked on driver side window for no reason - heard pop and looked at windshield and crack appeared. Contacted Eckbond who is subarus third party warranty for repairs, and they stated they can only reimburse me up to $500. Attempted to contact third party windshield repairs and they states it should be taken to subaru since there is no cause for crack. Contacted subaru and explained occurence and it will cost me $1800 for replacement even though, there was no reason for crack.
Sunroof exploded outward, the majority of the glass was blown away. The sunshade was open. The temperature was 56 degrees. I was traveling north on I 15 in Davis Couty, Utah. I was not injured, there were no other occupants. I drove to Subaru dealer, they said they have seen this before, only one case. It was inspected by service dealer and deemed safe to drive with sunshade closed. There were no warnings, the sunroof is used infrequently. There were no other objects on the roof.
Windshield is very fragile. (I think it cracks when a flower petal falls on it...) But seriously, I have about 20 chips in my windshield and have not had any significant boulders or trucks with rocks that have hit my windshield. It appears to be from every day urban commute, which is unusual. I have never had a car that I have had to replace the windshield in due to fragility. Also, the windshield seal has come completely off at the base near the hood.
My windshield all of the sudden got a massive crack. I don't remember a rock ever hitting it. It has been growing rapidly and I worry it is effecting my drivers assist system. I did some research and learned this was a common problem for Subarus and worry my windshield is defective due to weakness as evidenced by how quickly the crack is growing. I bought my car brand new 6 months ago.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Crosstrek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 29% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Subaru Crosstrek window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Crosstrek window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 6,000 miles, and 83% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.