Topic: What's with Subaru windshields?

[rrocket]

I have be preemptively shopping for a replacement for the Echo...in case.  I have been looking at Subarus for their AWD.  However, at least 5 of the Subarus I have called about need a new windshield as they have cracked.  Is there a problem with Subaru windshields?  Or was this just coincidence?

[EV Dan]

Rust underneath a windshield can crack it, usually from the edge. How old were they?

[rrocket]

Rust underneath a windshield can crack it, usually from the edge. How old were they?

It has to be more than that.  Seriously..in all my car shopping time of a single model, I have never seen such a thing.

How old?  No more than 10 years or so.  Though one of them was a 1998.

[johngenx]

Well, in Alberta, we don't sand the roads.  We have dump trucks spewing rocks on the streets all winter.  Therefore, almost every car has a cracked windscreen.  My Forester has about five good cracks and the Corolla has one long one.

So, I can't speak to a potential difference, as most cars here have cracked glass.

[Trainman]

Well, in Alberta, we don't sand the roads.  We have dump trucks spewing rocks on the streets all winter.  Therefore, almost every car has a cracked windscreen.  My Forester has about five good cracks and the Corolla has one long one.

So, I can't speak to a potential difference, as most cars here have cracked glass.

I agree with John, same situation here.  No or little salt/chemical de-icer (that is good) but lost of gravel sized traction aid spread around (bad for paint and windshields).  The Forester now has over 66,000 kms and is on its 3rd winter.  I have done 8 chip repairs and so far, no cracks.  Our Sienna, after 7 winters, is now on its 2nd windshield and may need a new one come spring.  That is with less than 100,000 kms on it.  My Pathfinder went through 3 windshields in the 4 years I had it.

Do Subaru's have less crack resistant windshield than other brands?  In my experience, for our conditions, no.

[rrocket]

Well, in Alberta, we don't sand the roads.  We have dump trucks spewing rocks on the streets all winter.  Therefore, almost every car has a cracked windscreen.  My Forester has about five good cracks and the Corolla has one long one.

So, I can't speak to a potential difference, as most cars here have cracked glass.

This is Ontario.  I've looked at many other brands of cars in my years of shopping and have never seen any cars with cracked windshields like these Subarus.

[tpl]

Don't some Subies have a heating element in the windshield under the wipers parl position?  If so that could cause some differential heating and cracking.

[rrocket]

Don't some Subies have a heating element in the windshield under the wipers parl position?  If so that could cause some differential heating and cracking.

Hmmm...wonder if that could be it.

[blur911]

Rust underneath a windshield can crack it, usually from the edge. How old were they?

It has to be more than that.  Seriously..in all my car shopping time of a single model, I have never seen such a thing.

How old?  No more than 10 years or so.  Though one of them was a 1998.

Our Outback had a couple of stone chips, had them repaired and can't see them now.  Dunno if the glass is prone to cracking otherwise.
BTW,  if you're looking at Outbacks the 2000 and newer are nicer.

[rrocket]

Rust underneath a windshield can crack it, usually from the edge. How old were they?

It has to be more than that.  Seriously..in all my car shopping time of a single model, I have never seen such a thing.

How old?  No more than 10 years or so.  Though one of them was a 1998.

Our Outback had a couple of stone chips, had them repaired and can't see them now.  Dunno if the glass is prone to cracking otherwise.
BTW,  if you're looking at Outbacks the 2000 and newer are nicer.

Yea..checked into a couple.  What mileage is head gaskets an issue?

[neil]

do you really have to ask?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGx28B1p6M&feature=related

[Guy]

Don't some Subies have a heating element in the windshield under the wipers parl position?  If so that could cause some differential heating and cracking.

My daughter Tucson has the same feature and is still on the original windshield, after 5 Quebec winters.

Hmmm...wonder if that could be it.

[blur911]

Rust underneath a windshield can crack it, usually from the edge. How old were they?

It has to be more than that.  Seriously..in all my car shopping time of a single model, I have never seen such a thing.

How old?  No more than 10 years or so.  Though one of them was a 1998.

Our Outback had a couple of stone chips, had them repaired and can't see them now.  Dunno if the glass is prone to cracking otherwise.
BTW,  if you're looking at Outbacks the 2000 and newer are nicer.

Yea..checked into a couple.  What mileage is head gaskets an issue?

Some info here:
http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html

Mostly though, it's the pre-2000 DOHC engines.  
Get an Outback with the 3.0 H-6, no gasket problems, nice and smooth. That or get an older car with the 2.0.

[rrocket]

Mostly though, it's the pre-2000 DOHC engines.  
Get an Outback with the 3.0 H-6, no gasket problems, nice and smooth. That or get an older car with the 2.0.

If I get an H6, it will be in an SVX....

[blur911]

Mostly though, it's the pre-2000 DOHC engines.  
Get an Outback with the 3.0 H-6, no gasket problems, nice and smooth. That or get an older car with the 2.0.

If I get an H6, it will be in an SVX....

 Those things have stupid expensive glass in them.


Come to the dark side.
http://www.audifans.com/marketplace/show.php?table=pm_audifans_Cars&id=5680

[rrocket]

Mostly though, it's the pre-2000 DOHC engines.  
Get an Outback with the 3.0 H-6, no gasket problems, nice and smooth. That or get an older car with the 2.0.

If I get an H6, it will be in an SVX....

 Those things have stupid expensive glass in them.


Come to the dark side.
http://www.audifans.com/marketplace/show.php?table=pm_audifans_Cars&id=5680

I'm no opposed to an Audi (would love an A8 some day).  Are there any Audis that: a) Can be had for under $4,000 b) that won't bankrupt me in repairs. c) will be reliable as a winter beater

Show me such an Audi..and I'm interested..

[Flinter]

I think you're on to something. I was just reading in the clubwrx forum and lots of folks are complaining about windshields that crack easily.

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/everyday-impreza-talk/3893-cracked-windshield-please-report-yours.html

[rrocket]

I think you're on to something. I was just reading in the clubwrx forum and lots of folks are complaining about windshields that crack easily.

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/everyday-impreza-talk/3893-cracked-windshield-please-report-yours.html

It's odd for sure.  I looked at dozens of Echos, dozens of IS350, IS300, Supras, NSXs, Vipers, Z06, etc.  No cracked windshields.  I look at Subarus...cracked windshields.  Very odd.

[Blue01]

I've got well over 200,000 km on my '01 Legacy and I think I'm on my 4th windshield.  And my current windshield is also cracked, starting at the bottom.
It seems a lot of the cracks start from hard rock hits along the lower portion of the windshield, where the heating element is.  Could it be that that part of the windshield has no give to it?  Is the windshield mounted right over part of the frame?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

No issues yet, but thanks for making me paranoid!