Most windshield cracks start with a stone chip. But some owners report cracks that appear overnight, spread from the edge with no impact, or show up within weeks of buying a new car. When the same model draws hundreds of these reports, it points to something about the glass or how it is mounted.
Where the complaints are
Across 69 popular models, about 3,000 complaints in our data mention a cracked windshield. The top nine are all Subarus:
| Model year | Cracked windshield complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Forester | 343 |
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 311 |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 252 |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 233 |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | 227 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 192 |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | 159 |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | 132 |
| 2017 Subaru Forester | 100 |
Outside Subaru, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 (82 complaints) and the 2016 Toyota Prius (45) stand out. The Subaru Impreza, which shares parts with the Forester, also shows a smaller cluster in 2019 and 2020.
On the 2019 and 2020 Outback and Forester, cracked windshields are the single most common complaint. A class action was filed over Subaru windshields, and many owners report the replacement cracking again.
Why some windshields crack easily
Several things can make a windshield more fragile:
- Thinner, lighter glass used to save weight and improve fuel economy.
- Stress from the body flexing, which concentrates at the edges.
- Heating and cooling, such as hot defrost on a frozen windshield, which can turn a tiny chip into a long crack.
- Large, steeply raked windshields that catch more stones.
Why replacement is expensive now
Many cars from the last decade have a camera behind the windshield for lane keeping and automatic braking. After a new windshield goes in, that camera must be recalibrated, or the safety systems may not work correctly. On a Subaru with EyeSight, a windshield plus calibration typically costs $800 to $1,500 without insurance. Many comprehensive insurance policies cover glass, sometimes with no deductible, so check yours.
What to do
- Repair chips quickly. A chip smaller than a quarter can usually be filled for $50 to $100, often free through insurance.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes. Let the defroster warm the glass gradually.
- Insist on calibration after any replacement, and keep the receipt.
- Use quality glass. Original-equipment glass is often recommended for cars with camera systems.
Buying a used car
Look along all four edges of the windshield for cracks, not just the middle. Ask whether the windshield was replaced, and if so, whether the camera was recalibrated. A driver-assist warning on the dash after a replacement is a sign it was not. Our Outback and Forester pages show which years drew the most reports.
Questions
Is a cracked windshield covered by warranty? Usually only if the carmaker accepts it was a defect, which is rare. Some owners have had cracks covered early in ownership after pushing the dealer.
Can I drive with a cracked windshield? Small cracks outside your line of sight are usually legal, but rules vary by state, and a crack can weaken the roof support in a crash.