Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 24% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 20% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 17 | 50% | 2,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 19% | 1,000 miles |
| 2020 | 66 | 55% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 51 | 41% | 7,000 miles |
| 2018 | 32 | 27% | 29,000 miles |
| 2017 | 35 | 29% | 34,000 miles |
| 2016 | 18 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 41 | 26% | 10,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% | 19,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 52,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% | 140,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% | 76,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 9% | 98,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 4% | 20,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% | 225,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When the vehicle is off the windows will come down on their own! This has occurred on 4 difference instances. One dealership indicated the "fix" the situation; however, they never replaced the parts which were required for the fix. A second dealership would not perform a diagnostic. A third dealership indicated that that cleaned and lubricated the necessary parts. Less than a week after leaving the dealership it occurred again. This is an extreme safety risk as the vehicle becomes easily accessible to others and it also allows easy access to the Homelink garage door system. This also causes extreme damage because during one of these window occasions it was also raining outside. Date provided is the 1st occurrence continuing to occur through 2/8/2026. I can provide documentation if further needed - manufacture is aware of occurrences
The windshield is extremely fragile, I have under 3,000 miles and already 4 rock chips on the windshield. This is all from highways and paved roads, no gravel or dirt roads have been driven on. The rock chips have happened on different occasions and never was their a loud bang from a large rock which makes me think small rocks are causing the damage. Rock chips lead to cracks that will impair visibility without costly repairs
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while at a standstill the windshield cracked without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Safety Hazard: Subaru Sun Visor I own a 2022 Subaru Legacy, the first new car I've ever owned. The visor (to protect eyes from the sun) is too short and not wide enough. The seat is raised as high as it will go. I CAN'T position myself to protect my eyes from the Sun. On 1/8/26, I left my home at 7:45 a.m. Around the corner from my home, local road, I approached an intersection with a Traffic Light. As I approached the intersection to turn left, the Sun (dead ahead) totally blinded me. It was a complete WHITE OUT. The Visor did NOTHING to protect my eyes from the sun. IT'S TOO SMALL and useless. I used one hand to shield my eyes from the Sun. It didn't help. I was helpless. I stopped my car, prayed I wouldn't get hit When my vision returned, I maneuvered my way into my left hand turn It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. I was BLINDED and HELPLESS. …
The contact owns 2021 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the passenger's side of the front windshield that expanded to the center of the windshield. The contact was unsure what caused the crack in the windshield. The contact reached out to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired unless the contact paid for the glass warranty. The vehicle was not inspected nor diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,100.
The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction while driving. The integrity of the windshield has been compromised. I brought the car to the Subaru dealership and they said it was not covered under warranty even though the car only has 6,000 miles on it. The Subaru dealership said they took pictures of the windshield and submitted them to Subaru of America. Subaru of America will not replace the windshield. According to Subaru when the windshield is replaced the Eyesight Driver Assistance must be recalibrated adding an additional expense.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he discovered a vertical crack had formed on the lower center section of the windshield without incident. The contact stated that the crack then spread horizontally and was obstructed his vision while driving. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the windshield was inspected and pictures were taken; the contact was informed that the pictures would be sent to the manufacturer for final approval for repair. The contact had not yet received a response from the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified by the contact about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that during inclement weather, the front driver and front passenger's side power windows failed to automatically roll up as intended. The contact was forced to hold the power window button to slowly roll the windows up. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that there was debris in the slides inside the windows, causing the windows to fail to retract. The contact stated that the driver's side window retractor was replaced; however, the failure returned soon after the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 29,000.
Related recalls (5)
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
Remedy: Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge.
Visibility/wiper
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
Remedy: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2011 outback and legacy vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2010, through July 1, 2011. The moonroof glass May come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Legacy years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (66), 2019 (51), 2015 (41), 2017 (35) and 2018 (32) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 55% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 18V-935 (rearview mirrors/devices, Dec 31, 2018); 16V-694 (motor, Sep 27, 2016); 13V-077 (sun/moon roof assembly, Mar 5, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Legacy window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles; 77% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield (30 mentions), followed by the sun/moon roof assembly (10).
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.