The windshield cracked during the summer for no apparent reason, no obvious signs of chip in windshield surface. Crack starts upper middle edge of glass, down passed rearview mirror, then half way across passenger side, about 1/3 way down from top. We are getting it replaced now.
2017 Subaru Crosstrek visibility problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 24 visibility complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Visibility accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
My windshield busted for no apparent reason while driving on a city street.
While driving on the freeway in the afternoon of aug. 23, 2018 with very light traffic and in a rural area, I noticed a crack starting up from the bottom of the windshield in about the middle of the windshield. It quickly spread up several inches (approx. 9 inches) then made a 90 degree turn to the left in front of the driver and continued most of the way across that half of the windshield. There…
I am the owner of a 2017 Subaru crosstrek that was subject to a faulty windshield resulting in replacement. The vehicle had developed a spontaneous crack from no apparent or obvious source other than normal conditions. Specifically, this crack developed overnight while sitting in the driveway not in motion and not exposed to damage causing debris. The next morning, an inconspicuous crack at only…
Had visibility trouble with your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
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 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 23,749 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,749; a quarter make it past 49,000. 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/2017/Subaru/Crosstrek.
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.