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Subaru Cracked Windshield Lawsuit Grows To 2.5 Million U.S. Vehicles

The windshield lawsuit against Subaru could involve 2.5 million vehicles including the new 2020 Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Legacy, and Impreza models.

The class-action lawsuit against Subaru of America is growing in the number of vehicles it could potentially involve. According to new court documents, the Subaru vehicles involved now includes 2017-2020 Subaru Outback, 2017-2020 Subaru Forester, 2017-2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent, 2017-2020 Subaru Impreza, and 2017-2020 Subaru Legacy.

The potential number now grows to 2.5 million vehicles in the U.S. market. Torque News reported last month 15 new plaintiffs were added to the lawsuit adding 2020 Subaru Forester, 2020 Subaru Outback, 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 2017-2020 Subaru Legacy and 2017-2020 Subaru Impreza vehicles.

Now the all-new 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent family hauler has been added to the list of affected models. Attorneys Christopher Moon and Kevin Moon, Moon Law APC, are representing the plaintiffs.

Watch which cars are involved in the Subaru windshield lawsuit and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube for daily automotive news reports.

Subaru has asked the court to dismiss the case, originally filed by Christine Powell against the automaker for an allegedly defective windshield in her 2018 Subaru Forester she says cracked twice in an 18-month period. Subaru says it should be dismissed for failing to state a claim and lack of jurisdiction. The judge has yet to file a response to Subaru’s dismissal brief.

More Subaru owners are coming forward with complaints saying the windshields in their Subaru vehicles are defective and are spontaneously cracking, and breaking, sometimes “within weeks or a few months of purchase.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also received numerous complaints from Subaru owners who experienced issues with their windshields, according to the consolidated class action.

2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Legacy, ImprezaMore Subaru owners are coming forward with complaints about spontaneously cracking windshields

According to the latest lawsuit filed in February, Subaru “failed to disclose material facts and a safety concern to purchasers and lessees of the class vehicles.” The new complaint combines Christine Powell’s original lawsuit with two additional class action cases over Subaru’s windshields that were filed in California and New Jersey.

What should Subaru owners do?

If you own a 2017-2020 Subaru Outback, 2017-2020 Subaru Forester, 2017-2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent, 2017-2020 Subaru Impreza, or 2017-2020 Subaru Legacy model and have experienced a cracked windshield for no apparent reason, you can file a complaint with the NHTSA by going to the website link, or call 1-888-327-4236. Or you can submit your contact information and an attorney from Moon Law APC will be in touch to review your case further.

2020 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Legacy, ImprezaThe class-action lawsuit now includes the 2019-2020 Subaru Ascent

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!

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Photo credit: Subaru

Comments

Carmen Bisel (not verified)    September 1, 2020 - 10:35AM

I have a beautiful 2019 Ascent and will have a 3rd windshield replaced this week. The windshields have suffered many repairable bulls eye chips. The car has been driven 16,000 miles and never on gravel roads. What on earth is going on with Subaru! Ridiculous. Had planned on keeping the car for several years but will have to trade it for anything other than a Subaru. Subaru has had a couple of years to fix the problem but they have not done so. Sad.

Timothy (not verified)    September 15, 2020 - 3:25PM

Does anyone know if Subaru changed the windshields on 2021 models? This could prove that they know there is a design defect and fixed it. Sounds like they're just trying to avoid reimbursing they're customers that filed a class action suit. I see they've appealed the 1st decision.

Joanne (not verified)    October 4, 2020 - 4:17PM

I just purchased a 2020 Outback in the end of August--have had it for about 6 weeks. This morning I noticed a 10" crack in the front passenger SIDE window. Anyone else have problems with the side windows? Will be calling the dealer tomorrow

Ian Graham (not verified)    April 10, 2021 - 7:07PM

I have a 2018 Forester. Driving in the desert a short crack appeared, at the very bottom of the windshield directly below the left eyesight camera. Day by day, in the morning the crack grew vertically 2 to 3 inches at a time. Right below the rear view mirror it turned right and is proceeding across the windshield, again while the car is parked for the night. The crack started below the glue line , below the hood and below the windshield wiper. No chips or dings.

David Burner (not verified)    June 12, 2021 - 2:03PM

Have a 2018 Forester sitting in garage. Opened garage door to get lawn mower and back windshield blew out. Temp in 70’s outside, cooler in garage but what a surprise.
Paid $250. Insurance deductible but what a surprise to look this up and find many other people experiencing same problems. New back windshield but rear auto door will not work. Love car but now Leary of glass.

junnian zhang (not verified)    September 16, 2021 - 12:10PM

We have a 2018 Subaru Forester. Just 2 days ago, very strangely, a crack about a foot long, started at the base of my windshield on the driver side, when the car was parked in the local park with my husband and me just meters away from it. Nothing hit it and it was about 9am in the morning with perfect weather.

Bob Raiford (not verified)    June 26, 2022 - 10:57PM

Guess what? 2021 Ascent, windshield cracked from lower right front corner up into middle of passenger's line of site. No defroster use, etc. Ambient temp 80 degrees F. No rock ships or strikes of any kind. Parked for one hour meeting in private parking area, came back and viola, brand new crack.
Looks like lawsuit, if it's not already too late, should be amended to include 2021 Subaru Ascents as minimum. Really takes the shine off the Subaru name. Owned one for 14 years with no problem, now this. Almost bought one of the new Forester Wilderness, now, no rush until I see proven track record of no more mysterious windshield breaks.

William Camuel Doyal (not verified)    March 8, 2023 - 10:33AM

I just rented a 2019 Subaru Forester from Hertz. Turned on heater and a crack occured from the base of the windshield in the middle upward. Hertz charged me 500 dollars for repair. I have put in a complaint saying that the windshield must be defective. Waiting to hear back from them. Just saw on youtube the problems with Subara windshields. Can you give me more on the class action lawsuit. Thankyou