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 2018 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal loud popping sound coming from the top of the vehicle. The contact stated that she pulled into the nearest gas station and noticed that the sunroof glass had shattered and fell onto the shade guard. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through an online request. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the screen display went blank. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the windshield fractured without impact on the lower passenger's side of the windshield. The fracture started to spread up the windshield. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
I have been going back and forth with Subaru of America's Advocacy department for about two weeks now, I purchased my 2018 Subaru legacy back in August of 2023. My head unit in my vehicle has now completely stopped working, I have explained that now my back up camera is now freezing and going black and that it poses a safety risk, but they are not helping me, all they keep telling me was the extended warranty for that specific issue expired in July of 2023. when I checked Subaru's recall website, they have completed out that recall in July of 2025, I have never taken my car in for this issue, I was also never aware of this recall. I have all emails going back and forth with the advocacy department. the recall was for "FMVSS 111" per Subaru advocacy dept. …
Following an engine-out service at an authorized dealer (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru), a primary powertrain mounting bolt was left unthreaded by approximately 1 inch, creating an undetected 8,000-mile safety hazard that resulted in extensive drivetrain and suspension component failures. Subsequently, during a diagnostic inspection at another authorized dealer (All American Subaru), heavy rusted metal pliers and loose cowl trim panels were abandoned unsecured inside the wiper cowl tray beneath the windshield, posing a severe roadway projectile and steering/wiper obstruction hazard.
MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11 months later [FEB 2025] in similar fashion, randomly one day.
I have had the windshield replaced in this vehicle three times in less than one year. I recently took my car through a car wash that I use regularly and the next day, there was a new crack on the lower passenger side of the windshield. This is getting expensive to fix and seems to be a defect with the windshield.
Window on right passenger door doesn't stay up when we close the window with the power window button. Sometimes at night the eyesight system turns off. At times the radio entertainment system doesn't want to work.
While traveling on the interstate, the passenger side of the front windshield became damaged from unknown reasons after experiencing a slight dip in the road. A crack formed and expanded to over 12 inches in length quickly. Attached photo 20200829_164645 included as evidence. This is the second time this vehicle has experienced front windshield damage. It was replaced a little over a year ago with OEM parts (carlex glass) through my insurance. Attached photo screenshot_202... As evidence. That incident occurred while driving on a highway and road debris struck the passenger edge of the front windshield. A crack formed and spread to the middle of the windshield. Due to having eyesight technology the front windshield is imperative to safety operations and needs to remain free from defects, since it can control a vehicle's acceleration, braking, and steering control system. …
Windshield: the OEM windshield cracks easily and manufacture will say not responsible because it's not a "defect", but they used inferior glass. Currently, I have over 6 cracks and every time the smallest item hits it, the windshield cracks. I've been with new car dealership for over 30years and owned many cars and never had a windshield crack so easily. Small rocks would hit my other cars and just bounce off, but not my 2018 Subaru Legacy, as I said at "least" 6 marks from anything hitting my windshield is currently available to see, yet no marks on my other vehicle, which is a GM product. Taking a picture is too hard to see "all" the small chips. I haven't replaced it yet, hoping a recall would happen, or someone wants to look at all the nicks, since I've owned it new from 2018. This happens driving slow, fast, anywhere a rock can fly.
Related recalls
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, 27% of the model year's 117 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-935 (rearview mirrors/devices, Dec 31, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 36% 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.