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2023 Subaru Forester Wipers & Visibility Problems

11 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

11
Complaints
Feb 2024Nov 2023
Date Range

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

Owner Complaints (11)

mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2025

Your windshield developed a crack during extreme temperature changes, going from the mid-60s to below freezing within hours, with no prior impact or damage. The crack appeared and grew over several days with multiple temperature swings. You may need to have the windshield replaced, as this appears to be a manufacturing defect rather than impact-related damage.

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NHTSA #: 11649212
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2024

Rear windshield burst for no apparent reason in car less than one year old while car was stopped at a stop light. Other traffic was also stopped around the car. There was no obvious cause (rock, etc.), plus the rear windshield appeared to shatter as much outward as it did inward. Fortunately car was stopped because it was very startling and could have affected driving. Also fortunately, there was no one in the back who could have been hurt by the glass. Reported it to Subaru, but they denied any coverage under warranty.

NHTSA #: 11590835
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2024

Got a crack on the windshield after owning the vehicle for under 5 months. There was no apparent pebble/stone and one morning i just saw that there was a crack on the windshield. It was also active that means was growing with time. My dealer also said that it won't be covered under warranty. I used my insurance to get it fixed however it seems like this is a consistent problem with Subaru's and they are well aware of it. This is well known issue in the online Subaru groups however Subaru has done nothing to get it fixed.

NHTSA #: 11571264
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2024

Spontabeus stress crack in windshield in first 1000 miles.

NHTSA #: 11571243
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2024

I have owned the vehicle less than 6 months. There is now a 6 inch crack in my front windshield for no apparent reason. It just appeared one day last week. I have heard from other Subaru owners that this is a common problem. They suggested I report the issue here.

NHTSA #: 11570435
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2023

Just replaced my winshield for my 2023 suburu, first off safelite uses after market, also I haven't had the car for more than 3 months, the next day the winshield was hit with another pebble causing another crack. Like what the hell is the matter with these winshields and what is suburu go8ng to do about it. I'm missing work, and losing money here, not only that it's very dangerous to drive with these winshields.

NHTSA #: 11557651
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2023

Small pebble hit winshield and in no time I have about a 3 inch crack. Car purchased a few months ago, used I have about 4000 miles on it. Read about winshield problems in newer cars with eyesight happening frequently and bam, it happens to me. This needs to be corrected!

NHTSA #: 11556853
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, she noticed that a pea-sized stone had struck the front windshield and caused a crack. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,999. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA #: 11548480
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2023

I believe Subaru STILL has issues I've found when researching them before I bought my vehicle, about weak windshields. I purchased a new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness just a little over a week ago. I was driving to the dealership to drop off some papers, leaving plenty of room around me, and something small hit my windshield because I didn't see any object. My guess is a small pebble off from somewhere off the road? Instant chip that formed the start of a spiderweb crack. I've been driving for 28 years in multiple vehicles and have had small pebbles hit my windshield. I've had glass replacement twice, ever. I feel like my old 2010 Ford Focus could have taken that hit. I understand the complaints by other consumers and feel these windshields are fragile and unsafe. I had less than 400 miles on my car at the time of impact and was traveling 65 mph with plenty of distance around me. My windshield is scheduled to be replaced with sensor recalibration with just a little over a week of ownership. This is unacceptable.

NHTSA #: 11545366
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2023

Cracked windshield. Full length. No apparent or known impact.

NHTSA #: 11530644
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2023

Near-immediate chip in the windshield my first time taking this vehicle on the interstate about 50 miles into a 800 mile weekend road trip.

NHTSA #: 11522557

Other 2023 Subaru Forester Issues