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2021 Subaru Ascent Wipers & Visibility Problems

17 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

17
Complaints
Jan 2021Nov 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (17)

highVISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jun 2025

Your windshield has cracked and is reducing visibility, which is also preventing your forward collision warning system from working properly. Subaru has acknowledged the windshield is faulty but has refused to replace it under the extended warranty. You're concerned about whether this damaged windshield can adequately protect you in a collision or handle normal road debris impacts.

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NHTSA #: 11665178
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2024

Second time windshield has cracked, not due to rock or debris chip, but from edge of windshield and either out or up. Crack continues to spread until replaced. It is dangerous to drive 1st Incident - December 2022 , crack in middle of windshield, spreading two directions 2nd Incident - May 3, 2024, crack from left side and out, contiunes to spead Pictures attached

NHTSA #: 11587744
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was repositioning the rear-view mirror, the front windshield cracked without impact and extended approximately 7-inches. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA #: 11533494
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2023

Windshield randomly became extremely hazy in one section to the point where Eyesight forward facing obstacle detection turned off. Cerium oxide rubbing compound was required to clear the haze enough for Eyesight to work again. Other sections have less significant haze. It appears to be hairline cracks in the outer layer of the windshield or the windshield scratches extremely easily without any obvious debris impacting it.

NHTSA #: 11525262
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2023

Windshield started cracking and crack doubled in size within a few hours, we did not hear a rock chip the window and don't know where the crack came from. Car is available for inspection. This is a safety issue as it can impede the drivers clear view of the road. Will call dealer Monday to have windshield replaced. The windshield has not been inspected by manufacture or insurance. Did not see any warnings prior to failure.

NHTSA #: 11523043
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2022

I noticed the windshield of my Ascent premium has thousands of millions of glaring specks/dots when facing the sunlight in early morning or late afternoon. The windshield becomes so blurry and extremely annoying. This happens only in early morning when facing the sun or late afternoon.

NHTSA #: 11489236
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2022

Without anything noticeable hitting the windshield, it was fine on July 2nd 2022 and when I went to get in to drive the next morning there was a crack in the windshield.

NHTSA #: 11472510
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2021

At 1 month old with 1,661 miles - the driver's side window started showing a cracked line that began to grow throughout the course of driving on a Saturday afternoon.

NHTSA #: 11440376
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Sep 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact returned to the vehicle and noticed a crack on the windshield. The crack was on the lower driver’s side of the windshield and moving upward. There was no impact to the windshield to cause the fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,141.

NHTSA #: 11435019
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Aug 2021

Three chips have showed up on my windshield. I called the dealer when I saw it. They said all customers pay out of pocket. Then I recently saw that there is an issue with the windshields. That Subaru corporate is now taking care of the issue. I am looking for information to move forward with getting my windshield fixed. It happened a few months ago.

NHTSA #: 11428229
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2021

On our first road trip in our new Ascent the windshield cracked. It rapidly spread about 18 inches. We heard no impact, saw no rock - just an ever spreading crack. We called a local Subaru dealer in Lexington, Kentucky who assured us the car was safe to drive home to Savannah. On the trip home we encountered a heavy rainstorm and noticed leakage at the crack. I am filing this after seeing the large number of Subaru owners reporting similar occurrences. We had just experienced another cracked windshield on a 2019 Subaru outback that we had repaired on 11 May 2021! There is something not quite right about this windshield in the Subarus.

NHTSA #: 11421951
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2021

I purchased the vehicle Oct 2020. Since then the windshield has sustained 6 chips/cracks in the windshield. I found this to be unusual since I maybe have gotten 2 cracked windshields in 20+ years. I stared researching and found out this is an ongoing problem with Subaru windshields. I went to the dealer and was told they can do nothing about it. Appreciate any help.

NHTSA #: 11420130
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2021

CRACK APPEARED SPIDERED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD JUST WITHIN THE 60 MINUTES OF US LEAVING OUR CAR IN MAMMOTH CAVE STATE PARK INFORMATION CENTER PARKING LOT ON SATURDAY. SUCH A TINY CRACK SPIDERING LIKE THAT IS CONCERNING TO ME ESPECIALLY COMING FROM A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY THAT HAD THE NEW WINDSHIELD CLASS ACTION. WE DID NOT SEE THAT CRACK AT ANY TIME BEFORE. THIS WAS PURCHASED IN THE END OF FEBRUARY.

NHTSA #: 11414989
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2021

WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, STARTING AT THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER AND SPREADING 2-5 INCHES PER DAY. NO IMPACT POINT IN WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA #: 11398433
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2021

THE WINDSHIELD OF OUR NEW SUBARU ASCENT TOURING 2021 JUST CRACKED ON ITS OWN ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CRACK IS NOW ABOUT 10IN AND KEEPS GETTING LONGER((

NHTSA #: 11389020
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2021 SUBARU ASCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT MID LEVEL SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD INFORMED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD RIGHT ABOVE FRAME. OVER TIME, THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE MIDDLE RIGHT BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED SPORT SUBARU SOUTH (9951 ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 360. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 11387201
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2021

OUR WINDSHIELD ALREADY HAS NUMEROUS CHIPS AND ONE CRACK THAT WE REPAIRED. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE WINDSHIELD IS VERY BRITTLE. WE HAVE HAD SOME WINTER WEATHER LATELY SO THERE WAS EXCESSIVE JUNK IN THE ROAD AND SAND BUT OUR OTHER VEHICLES HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA #: 11386399

Other 2021 Subaru Ascent Issues