This bulletin provides a service procedure to address customer concerns of a rattling-type sound coming from the defroster vent grille area of the instrument panel (IP) near the base of the windshield.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Forester visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Subaru Forester have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 30,310 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Forester | 3 |
| 2012 Forester | 3 |
| 2013 Forester | 5 |
| 2014 Forester | 10 |
| 2015 Forester (this page) | 23 |
| 2016 Forester | 21 |
| 2017 Forester | 105 |
| 2018 Forester | 146 |
| 2019 Forester | 387 |
When does it fail?
Of the 23 visibility complaints filed for the 2015 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front door glass run channels. Water can enter the run channels and cause a stick-slip (judder) condition to occur as the door glass opens and closes. The judder is transferred through the window regulator mechanism in the form of mechanical resistance to the electric window motor. On models equipped with the Auto-up and Auto-down feature, if the level of this resistance increases enough, the auto-reversing (anti-entrapment) feature can activate and cause an inability to close the window.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ⢠Power windows inoperative from the driverâs door master and / or passenger front door switch ⢠Unable to remotely operate other door windows from the driverâs door master switch ⢠One-Touch Auto Up / Down features inoperative from either / both front door switches"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ? Power windows inoperative from the driver?s door master and / or passenger front door switch ? Unable to remotely operate other door windows from the driver?s door master switch ? One-Touch Auto Up / Down features inoperative from either / both front door switches
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct visibility issues on 2015 Subaru Foresters: windshield cracking and interior window fogging/icing.
Windshield failures dominate complaints. Multiple owners describe the glass cracking from minor impact—a small pebble, light gravel, or impact at 45-65 mph on highway—yet producing cracks extending halfway or more across the windshield. One owner replaced windshields three times in the first year; another had two replacements in seven months. Several owners report cracks appearing while the vehicle was parked without any visible external damage. One rear window spontaneously exploded outward while the parked vehicle sat at 34 degrees. Owners note the replacement windshields (OEM Subaru glass) sometimes crack identically. Windshield replacement with EyeSight recalibration costs exceed $800–$1,000. One owner hit an EyeSight diagnostic catch-22: the scan would not clear until the windshield was replaced, but the dealer could not recalibrate until that replacement.
Interior fogging and icing occur when temperatures drop below 10°F. Owners report windows freezing over on the inside—front, rear side, and all windows—within 15 minutes of parking outdoors, requiring 15–20 minutes to defrost. Owners must continually toggle defrost versus side-window heat to maintain visibility. One dealer service manager acknowledged the issue but stated Subaru had provided no solution. Owners attribute it to an overly airtight design. These visibility losses create safety hazards during critical driving conditions.
Same Subaru Forester visibility reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield cracking from minor impact or spontaneous fracture
Windshield glass cracks extensively from small debris impact (pebble, gravel, rock) that normally would produce only a minor chip, or cracks spontaneously while vehicle is parked with no visible external damage or impact. Cracks extend 6–24 inches or more across the glass. Multiple owners report repeated failures on the same vehicle, including failures of OEM replacement windshields.
When: Within first 12 months and early mileage (under 6,000 miles in one case); also occurs on parked vehicles. Highway driving at 45–65 mph or while stationary.
Symptoms owners cite: Long crack extending from top center diagonally downward; Crack extending from bottom upward toward center; Spontaneous cracking with no visible external cause; Rear window spontaneous explosion/shattering; Popping or cracking noise audible while driving
Codes mentioned: P00FF (History Code), B280AA8 (Current Code - EyeSight system failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement cost $500–$1,000+ depending on EyeSight calibration requirement. OEM Subaru replacement glass used. EyeSight recalibration required but diagnostic codes must be cleared first—owners report catch-22 situations where dealer cannot clear codes until windshield is replaced, and third-party shops cannot replace until codes are cleared.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially told owner 'car is operating as designed, no service required.' Subaru has extended warranty for Outback and Legacy windshield cracks but has not extended similar coverage to Forester owners despite complaints. No recall issued as of complaint dates.
Interior window fogging and icing in cold temperatures
Front, rear, and side windows frost over on the interior when vehicle is exposed to temperatures below approximately 10°F, even for short parking periods. Fogging occurs within 15 minutes of exposure. Defroster alone is insufficient to clear all windows. Problem attributed to overly airtight vehicle design trapping interior moisture.
When: Cold weather, below approximately 10°F. Occurs during parking as short as 15 minutes outdoors.
Symptoms owners cite: Interior window frosting/icing on all windows; Rear side windows never fully clear when passengers present; Requires 15–20 minutes to defrost before safe driving; Requires continual toggling between defrost and side-window heat vents to maintain any visibility
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service manager advised lowering a window overnight to reduce interior moisture, but acknowledged no solution provided by Subaru. No repair documented in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru told owners 'car is operating as designed'; no service required. Service manager stated Subaru provided no solutions for the issue.
Inadequate heater performance in cold climates
Heating system fails to warm vehicle interior adequately in cold weather. Heater blows cold air, particularly to footwell, even when set to maximum. Owner reports feet going numb from cold. Problem is distinct from window icing but related—inadequate interior heat fails to prevent moisture condensation.
When: Cold ambient temperatures, particularly below 10°F.
Symptoms owners cite: Heater blowing cold air to footwell and lower cabin; Continuous cold draft in footwell despite no air directed there; Vehicle interior stays cold even with heater maxed out while driving highway; Slower cabin warm-up compared to same-year loaner vehicle at identical temperature
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Dealer offered comparison drive in loaner car (same year/model/features) which showed loaner heated faster, had warmer footwell, higher engine oil temperature, and clearer windows—suggesting defect in subject vehicle rather than design.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru told owner 'your car is behaving as designed, no service required.' No recall or TSB documented.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I am an owner of of a 2015 Subaru forester xt and I believe that I have a defective windshield. I noticed that there is a crack on my windshield that is about the size of a quarter after experiencing a small rock hitting my windshield on the highway.I would like to know if I am able to replace my windshield by Subaru because I believe the quality of the windshield is faulty and a safety hazard.…
Had visibility trouble with your 2015 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 5,800 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 30,310. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,800; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.