Subaru Awards $5K To Owners As Lawyers Earn $7.2M | Carscoops

      Interestingly, Subaru will only offer compensation for windshields with specific types of cracks.

      April 27, 2025, at 18:11

      by Brad Anderson

      Affected models include the Ascent, Forester, Legacy, and Outback.

      Subaru will only reimburse repair costs if the cracks meet established criteria.

      Eligible owners need to provide a repair receipt and a photograph.

      After more than five years of legal disputes, Subaru has reached a settlement in a US lawsuit claiming that the windshields in some of its most popular models are prone to cracking, leaving owners responsible for replacement costs. The automaker will reimburse individuals who had to repair or replace their windshields and will compensate the four plaintiffs who initiated the case. However, the real triumph appears to belong to the attorneys involved.

      The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged that Subaru used defective windshields in its 2017-2019 Forester and Outback models, which supposedly cracked and broke unexpectedly. The suit also accused Subaru of hiding this defect. Fast forward to April 2025, and the case has been settled, although the list of affected vehicles has expanded.

      Now, owners of 2019-2022 Ascent, 2019-2022 Forester, 2020-2022 Legacy, and 2020-2022 Outback models are eligible for reimbursement. Each of the four plaintiffs will receive $5,000, while the lawyers will earn $7,250,000. To be eligible for reimbursement, owners must have what Subaru describes as a ‘qualifying crack.’

      Subaru defines such a crack as “a specific type of windshield damage characterized by distinct features. It appears as a single line crack extending from or through a recognizable Impact Point and towards the edge of the windshield.” These ‘Impact Points’ must also meet certain criteria to be considered qualifying.

      The Requirements Continue…

      For example, the impact points must be under 5 mm in diameter and display a crack pattern consistent with minor impact. Additionally, the impact point must be visible and identifiable. However, if a dealer cannot clearly see an impact point but there is a qualifying crack, the repair will still be covered. The requirements for owners don’t end there.

      Customers must provide proof of repair and at least one photo of the windshield crack. If they do, they will receive 125% of the repair costs. Those who have had two repairs will be reimbursed 150%, while those who have faced three or more repairs will get 200% of the cost.

      Eligible owners without cameras (which is quite uncommon today since most smartphones can take high-resolution images) can use a dedicated Subaru website. There, they will encounter six random photos of cracks and must select the one that best resembles their own. If they pick the correct photo, they’ll be entitled to reimbursement. If not, they will receive nothing. You can visit the settlement page here.