Final Subaru Defective Windshield Lawsuit Settlement Details For Outback And Legacy Models

N.J. Federal Judge Renee Marie Bumb gave final approval to a settlement in the Subaru defective windshield lawsuit. The ruling gave 2015 Subaru Outback and Legacy and 2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy owners extended warranties and a reimbursement program. According to a report by Law360 (by subscription), the class counsel still needs to justify its $515,000 fee request.

Judge Renee Marie Bumb said that the settlement was fair, reasonable, and adequate. The U.S. District Judge also said the final deal would offer "very generous relief," Law360 reports, adding, "It puts them (Outback and Legacy owners) in a very good position."

The lawsuit was initially filed in June 2017 when a California woman claimed her 2015 Subaru Outback developed a crack that had "spontaneously appeared" at the windshield base. She was represented by attorneys Glancy Prongay and Murray and Greenstone Law APC.

What did owners receive in the settlement?

Subaru of America agreed to extend the warranty on the original windshields from five years/unlimited miles to eight years/unlimited miles. Owners are also permitted to replace one original windshield with the condition it is replaced at an authorized Subaru retailer. Owners also receive reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs for the replacement of the windshield due to the condition.

Who is included in the defective windshield settlement?

You are included in the settlement if you own or leased, or previously owned or leased a 2015 Subaru Outback and 2015 Subaru Legacy in the U.S., equipped with the All-Weather Package. Owner's vehicles with their original windshields and paid for replacement of their factory windshields because of the cracking condition and who have not yet obtained reimbursement are eligible.

You are included in the settlement if you own or leased, or previously owned or leased a 2016 Subaru Outback or 2016 Subaru Legacy equipped with the All-Weather Package. The vehicle's VIN, whose last seven digits are lower than 2016 Outback, with Eyesight: G3222455, 2016 Outback, without Eyesight: G3210476 2016 Legacy, with Eyesight: G3011247, and 2016 Legacy, without Eyesight: G3006359.

The vehicles must have their original windshields, and owners paid for replacing their original windshields because of the cracking condition described in this case but who have not yet obtained reimbursement. Owners must have proof of the repair and information about the business that performed the repair.

If you paid to have an original windshield repaired or replaced on a 2015-2016 Subaru Outback or Legacy model due to the condition, you had to submit a Claim Form seeking reimbursement by the deadline of April 23, 2021.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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