2017 Subaru Forester visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 31, 2026NYVisibility & Wipers

   I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when I noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. I didn’t hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather It was strange to have happened and I thought it had to be a defective windshield. I looked to see if there were a recall and it was but not for the year but it was advised to submit a complaint with NHTSA. I had a windshield inspect from…

   NHTSA complaint #11761040 · source
2. Filed Aug 19, 2025PAVisibility & Wipers

   the car driven to work from 6:05 to 6:25am and parked in a parking lot. when my wife went out to eat lunch around noon, she noticed a crack running from the mirror to the bottom center of the windshield. upon further inspection we noticed the damage could be felt from the inside of the car, and was NOT caused by any stone chips or other damages from the outside of the car.

   NHTSA complaint #11681525 · source
3. Filed Feb 3, 202587,000 miMDVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle after the vehicle had been parked in the parking garage for six days, the contact became aware that the front windshield had developed a 12-inch crack across the middle bottom. The contact stated that there were no objects that could have caused that crack near or around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure with the…

   NHTSA complaint #11640454 · source
4. Filed Jan 3, 2025PAVisibility & Wipers

   The air system has gone out in the car completely, you can hear it run or try to and then kick off, i have checked and it has not been recalled. there were no accidents prior to the air system giving out. it started around the june 2024, but it didn’t affect vision at that time. it started affecting vision as winter approached (nov 2024). My vision is now completely affected as the weather is hitting temps as low as 10° and the heating system doesn’t work at all. all the…

   NHTSA complaint #11633996 · source
5. Filed May 8, 2024MIVisibility & Wipers

   I am reporting a safety issue with an aftermarket driver’s side mirror manufactured by TRQ, intended as a replacement for a 2017 Subaru Forester. The mirror does not provide sufficient side visibility, increasing blind spots significantly compared to the OEM part, thereby putting driver safety at risk. The problem persists even after a replacement mirror was sent, suggesting a design flaw rather than an individual defect. Both mirrors, original and replacement, are available…

   NHTSA complaint #11587752 · source
6. Filed Jan 25, 2024ILVisibility & Wipers

   Right side of windshield had a small crack. Illinois law can’t drive with a cracked windshield. Called Subaru they don’t fix windshield problems. Appointment at Safelite on 1/23/24 crack had gotten bigger they cannot repair now have to replace windshield. Appointment on 1/25/24 to replace windshield. No prior incident that would have led to this situation. Never owned a car where the windshield needed to be replaced.

   NHTSA complaint #11567900 · source
7. Filed Jan 5, 202465,000 miCTVisibility & Wipers

   ******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because it is requested by the consumer that they wish to have it removed. Djr ******* delete voq *******

   NHTSA complaint #11563676 · source
8. Filed Oct 20, 2023NYVisibility & Wipers

   I was at an event for about 3 hours and was parked next to a trailer. When I started driving there was a crack in the lower right hand of my windshield. The event was private and the trailer was not used. I am unsure where this crack came from and am very confused.

   NHTSA complaint #11551044 · source
9. Filed Jul 2, 2023NEVisibility & Wipers

   The rearview mirror detached from the windshield due to heat. When this happened, the metal button removed a chunk of glass from the windshield, so the surface is not able to be cleaned to reaffix the button that holds the mirror. The rearview mirror is currently dangling by the electrical cord. Note that nothing was hanging from the rearview mirror prior to this incident, so additional weight is not a factor in the incident.

   NHTSA complaint #11530017 · source
10. Filed Jun 21, 202391,000 miAZVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal cracking sound. The contact became aware that a crack had formed on the passenger’s side of the windshield at the bottom in a circular shape. The contact stated that the crack had expanded across the windshield in a spider web shape. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or glass shop. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer had…

    NHTSA complaint #11528183 · source
11. Filed May 8, 2023NEVisibility & Wipers

    The windshield has failed without the vehicle suffering any collisions. The failure has led to the epoxy attaching the rear view mirror to detach with the glass from the windshield. Not only does the rear view mirror now hang from the electrical wire, the epoxy was able to remove a chunk of the glass. This has led to a significant safety issue as I’m unable to use my rear view mirror to no fault of my own. It is available for inspection. No dealer or further inspection with…

    NHTSA complaint #11521057 · source
12. Filed Mar 9, 2023OHVisibility & Wipers

    The front windshield spontaneously cracked, beginning from the bottom of the windshield at the de-icer on the passenger side and propagated up and across the windshield toward the driver's side. No evidence of a strike or outside damage which caused the crack is evident. The obstruction to my view is hazardous on the roadway as the crack continues to spread. This issue has been well documented in Subaru vehicles, and was the subject of a class-action lawsuit in 2017…

    NHTSA complaint #11510931 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology