Subaru Settles Windshield Lawsuit: Owners of Certain Models May Be Eligible for Compensation

Subaru settles class action lawsuit over windshield cracks. The claim website isn't open yet, but Injury Claims will update this page with any developments, so be sure to check back often.

Subaru has reached a settlement agreement with owners and lessees involved in a class-action lawsuit alleging the windshields on certain Subaru vehicles were prone to cracking. The lawsuit, filed four years ago in October 2019, claimed these cracks appeared spontaneously and often required multiple repairs, causing significant inconvenience to Subaru owners.

Frustrated drivers and allegations of defective design 

The class action lawsuit began with 16 plaintiffs, but only 4 remained when it settled. Plaintiffs Jeffrey Barr, Arnold Milstein, Allan Zaback, and Brittany Funk, alleged that windshields on new Subaru vehicles cracked easily, sometimes for seemingly no reason. 

These cracks reportedly worsened quickly, forcing owners to replace the entire windshield. The lawsuit further claimed that the design of the windshields, particularly in the de-icing region, made them more susceptible to cracking from minor impacts. Plaintiffs argued that Subaru knew or should have known about this design flaw but failed to disclose it to consumers.

This alleged failure to disclose resulted in several legal claims against Subaru, including:

• Fraudulent Concealment: The lawsuit claimed Subaru intentionally hid information about the windshield's susceptibility to cracking.

• Fraud: Plaintiffs argued Subaru's marketing materials portrayed the windshields as durable and all-weather resistant, which allegedly constituted a misrepresentation of the product.

• Negligent Misrepresentation: The lawsuit alleged Subaru had a duty to inform consumers about the windshield issue but failed to do so.

• Breach of Express and Implied Warranties: Plaintiffs claimed Subaru's warranties promised a certain level of quality and durability that the windshields allegedly failed to meet.

These alleged actions resulted in significant financial burden for Subaru owners, who faced not only windshield replacements but also the additional cost of recalibrating their vehicles' ADAS systems if affected.

The settlement: Reimbursement and extended warranty

The settlement aims to compensate owners of specific Subaru models for past windshield repair costs. These models include:

• Subaru Ascent (2019-2022)
• Subaru Forester (2019-2022)
• Subaru Legacy (2020-2022)
• Subaru Outback (2020-2022)

The exact amount of compensation depends on the number of "qualifying cracks" a windshield experienced and whether the owner has photographic proof of repairs. Reimbursement could range from 125% to 200% of repair costs.

The settlement also includes an extended warranty for future "qualifying cracks." While the specific definition of a qualifying crack won't be disclosed until the claims deadline, the settlement proposes extending the limited warranty on new vehicles to cover these cracks for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This extended warranty includes one free windshield replacement.

Next steps: How to claim compensation

The website to file a claim isn't quite open yet. But don't worry, we at Injury Claims will keep you posted the moment it's up and running and ready for you to get your money back.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for official communication from Subaru or the class action administrators regarding the claims process and timeline. Consulting with an attorney specializing in class action lawsuits can also be helpful in navigating the claim process and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

The plaintiffs are represented by Muhic Law LLC, Berger Montague PC, and Wade Kilpela Slade LLP.

The Subaru cracked windshield class action lawsuit is Powell, et al v. Subaru of America, Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-19114, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.