Subaru Forester Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Subaru Forester across 24 model years. The 2020 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “windshield cracked” (22% of reports).
- 204visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 55%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield cracked: mentioned in 45 of 204 complaints (22%)
- Without impact: mentioned in 34 of 204 complaints (17%)
- Crack formed: mentioned in 16 of 204 complaints (8%)
- Rear view mirror: mentioned in 11 of 204 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 166 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 204 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Subaru Forester visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2025 Forester | 7 | 7% | 4,000 |
| 2023 Forester | 1 | 1% | 1,999 |
| 2022 Forester | 4 | 4% | 7,600 |
| 2021 Forester | 14 | 7% | 8,750 |
| 2020 Forester | 49 | 8% | 13,250 |
| 2019 Forester | 38 | 5% | 15,000 |
| 2018 Forester | 21 | 4% | 30,000 |
| 2017 Forester | 12 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2016 Forester | 3 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2015 Forester | 5 | 1% | 2,000 |
| 2014 Forester | 3 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Forester | 4 | 5% | 15,100 |
| 2012 Forester | 3 | 3% | 41,500 |
| 2010 Forester | 4 | 2% | 5,300 |
| 2009 Forester | 7 | 4% | 15,500 |
| 2007 Forester | 2 | 3% | 37,578 |
| 2005 Forester | 3 | 3% | 9,000 |
| 2004 Forester | 1 | 0% | 85,175 |
| 2003 Forester | 7 | 4% | 16,900 |
| 2002 Forester | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2001 Forester | 4 | 3% | 46,999 |
| 1999 Forester | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1998 Forester | 7 | 7% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Model years: 2026
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Drivers side mirror vibrates making changing lanes a Safty issue as the approaching vehicle is not a clear visual to operator
On the first day of receiving the car the windshield looked clear by day but it had little specks and lines like dust when driven at dusk and night of the first day it was driven. I brought it back to the dealer, they replaced it with a new one, and the problem persists. A clear windshield is much…
The air conditioning system of my 2017 Subaru Forrester suddenly went out without warning. I noticed a defect when the A/C started buzzing with a high pitched sound and blowing semi-warm air instead of cool. I took my auto to a car repair shop. He provided this diagnostic analysis: Normal coolant…
I was driving to work in the morning and was going down a slow side street when I heard a soft noise behind me. When I looked in my rearview I noticed that my back window was cracked all over it though nothing had hit it or fallen in it. The glass then completely fell out.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that there were several dings and cracks on the front windshield of the vehicle. The contact stated that no objects had struck the windshield, and that the vehicle was mostly parked inside the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Foresters have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 204 owner complaints about visibility for the Subaru Forester. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Forester visibility?
Yes: 1 safety recall list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Subaru Forester?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield cracked”, in 45 of 204 complaints, followed by “without impact” (34).
Other Subaru Forester problems
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,061)
- Engine problems (827)
- Air Bags problems (817)
- Electrical System problems (797)
- Power Train problems (556)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (532)
- Suspension problems (415)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (350)
See all Subaru Forester problems.