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 2017 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The windshield formed a crack towards the bottom of the passenger side and was about 3-5inches to start. Over time, the crack grew to approximately over 1ft. Later on, another crack began forming on the drivers side of the windshield, also starting at only a few inches, and now has grown into almost 1ft long. Am in process of looking to have it repaired, but have not set a date yet. Having a cracked windshield is an overall safety risk any time you drive the car due to it's ability to impact visibility as it grows/becomes worse. The windshield has not yet been inspected by: manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, but has been seen during State Inspection. There were no warnings/messages/symptoms before seeing the crack - They first appeared a day or two after I had recently had my car's oil changed at an autobody shop. …
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was heard, and then a crack formed from the bottom of the windshield without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced another time. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred after she started the vehicle. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V712000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
Windshield glass cracks very easily from rocks. In the last year I've had 7 cracks form. I've never had this trouble with any other vehicle including a 2012 Subaru that I own and drive just as much. This impairs my vision and decreases the windshield integrity. I have claimed all windshield through my insurance and it has been very expensive. The only glass I can replace the windshields with is Subaru glass. The quality is very poor. I will upload the 2 most recent cracks.
My 2017 Legacy is on it's 3rd windshield this year. I had impact damage on July 17th, had it replaced the first week of August, and it cracked without impact damage in October. Subaru refused to replace it under warranty and it was replaced through insurance in December. The genuine Subaru replacement windshields for 2015-2019 Legacy and Outback models appear to be defective and this should be investigated.
The original windshield cracked starting at the bottom left corner and quickly spread across the entire window. I went to Subaru and paid to replace the window. Within 2 weeks the window had cracked again and spread across the entire window.
Something is terribly wrong with the Subaru windshields, I am on my 4th windshield. The one that came with the car plus 3 replacements. The last replacement was three weeks ago and now I have another chip in my windshield as of today. Not only is it dangerous to have this keep happening, its costing me more money when my insurance is jacking up my rates each year for having to put claims in. It's making me take time off from and it's ridiculous. Apparently I'm not the only one having an issue. The windshields are defective! I'm 52 years old and have been driving since I'm 17 years old and have never experienced anything like this. Can you please investigate this issue as it looks like I will be on to windshield #5. The new chip happened today and I don't remember hearing anything hit the windshield.
Hello, I have noticed an issue with 2017 Subaru Legacy windsheilds. When the outside temperature is above 88f and the "auto" climate control is set to 68c the difference in the temperature between the outside air, and the cooling inside air dramatically increases the weakness and brittleness of the windsheild, such that when something hits it, it almost instantaneously cracks more than 7-8 inches in length. I am niw having my second windsheild replaced in the last 2 months because of this issue. Both times I was doing about 70mi/hr on I-94...I know windsheilds crack when something hits them, but this was different the strike was barely noticeable, something that if conditions were cooler or the temperature equalized, I dont think the thermodynamics would be right for. Thanks, chris
New 2017 Subaru Legacy was bought in May 2017. With in a month, windshield cracked when the car was stationary in a shopping mall parking lot. Dealer did not cover stating it was rock hit. It got fixed with insurance claim. After fixing it, the same day evening in the office parking lot, it cracked at the same spot. With courtesy of the the repairer it was changed with warranty. Now, exactly after one year, while driving on the highway, heard loud noise as if my tire got burst. While look around I saw the windshield crack at the same spot. It can not be coincident to happen 3 cracks at the same spot.
I have had to replace my windshield on my 2017 due to a crack that developed from the base right in the center of the window and it slowly worked it's way up the glass. There appeared to be no impact zone from anything hitting it as the crack seemed to start at the very bottom with a single crack that ran to just below the dash level. I first noticed the crack creeping into visibility in the spring traveling in a straight on a road with a speed limit of 45 MPH. In the time I had to wait to have the glass replaced, the crack continued to grow regardless if I was in motion or if the car was parked
I had a windshield crack for no reason at all, the service department looked at and said its a defective windshield and would replace it for free. This is the third one in 2 years, the other 2 where from a small rock. I worked at Subaru for 2 years and they by far have the worst windshields on the market. I had people complain all the time and I had to lie to them and say it's just bad luck and every manufacturer out there has the same issues. Well if you have eyesight it will cost you around 700 bucks to replace because you have to re-calibrate the eyesight every time.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2017 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2017 Subaru Legacy, 29% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2017 Subaru Legacy, though it has 2 recalls 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 2017 Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 22% 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.