This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Crosstrek visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 28,000 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
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Crosstrek | 6 |
| 2017 Crosstrek (this page) | 24 |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 65 |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 119 |
| 2020 Crosstrek | 33 |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 30 |
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.
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 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 ↗This Service Information bulletin announces a change made to the lens portion of the fog light assembly. The new lens has optimized light distribution characteristics while remaining interchangeable with the original type.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a repair procedure for replacing the foam cushion installed between the top front edge of the IP and the windshield glass. Use the supplied Service Procedure to address a customer concern involving the foam cushion becoming visible above the IP near the defroster vent outlets.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Crosstrek has a chronic windshield problem. Owners describe spontaneous cracks appearing without any impact or collision while vehicles sit parked in driveways and parking lots. A crack starts small—sometimes just millimeters overnight—then spreads within hours or days across large sections of glass, forming T-shaped, L-shaped, or linear patterns. Many cracks originate from the bottom or side edge of the glass and propagate upward or horizontally. Some occurred within weeks of ownership; others after months or years of normal use.
A second pattern involves windshields that fracture severely from minor impacts. Owners report small pebbles or light rock strikes triggering extensive cracking that grows rapidly while parked—damage that seems far disproportionate to the force applied.
One owner reported a defogger that failed to clear windshield fogging during rain and humidity despite dealer inspection finding nothing wrong. Another reported a sunroof that spontaneously exploded while driving on the interstate. Side-view mirror placement creates large blind spots, particularly for shorter drivers.
Windshield replacements are not covered by warranty or recall. Owners paid for replacements out-of-pocket, with costs exceeding $1,000 in at least one case. The problem appears widespread across the 2017 model year.
Same Subaru Crosstrek visibility reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous windshield cracking
Windshield develops cracks without impact or collision, often while vehicle is parked and unattended. Cracks appear over hours to days and frequently propagate across large sections of the glass. Multiple owners report cracks originating from the lower edge or side and spreading upward and/or across the windshield.
When: Mostly while parked in driveways, parking lots, or parking garages. Some cracks initiated during or shortly after driving but most growth occurred at rest. One report around 27 months of ownership; others within weeks to months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous crack appearing overnight or while parked; Crack starting small (millimeters to inches) then expanding over days; T-shaped, L-shaped, or spreading linear cracks; Cracks originating from bottom edge, side edge, or under wiper blade area; Multiple cracks appearing in different locations; Cracks extending across 1/3 to 1/2 or more of windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Full windshield replacement required. One owner reported cost over $1,000. Most paid out-of-pocket; not covered under warranty or recall.
Windshield fragility to minor impacts
Small rock strikes or minor impacts to the windshield cause unusually severe cracking that propagates rapidly and extensively. Owners report low-force impacts producing damage that seems disproportionate to normal windshield durability. Cracks continue to grow after initial impact while vehicle is at rest.
When: Impact events occur while driving on highways or city streets. Subsequent crack propagation occurs while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Minor rock strike produces large crack; Low-force pebble impact cracks entire windshield; Crack rapidly expands from initial chip location; Single chip evolves into L-shaped or extensive cracking within hours
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement required. One owner incurred replacement cost; repair and replacement costs cited but specific amounts only noted as 'over $1,000' for one case.
Defrosting system ineffectiveness
Windshield defogger does not clear fogging under high humidity and rain conditions. Vehicle was only two weeks old at time of complaint. Dealer inspection found no defect in the defogger system.
When: Occurred during heavy rain and humidity; vehicle was two weeks old.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield fogs up excessively; Defogger fails to clear fogging; Visibility reduced to the point owner had to drive slowly (20 mph) to avoid collision
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found nothing wrong with the defogger system.
Large blind spots from side mirror placement
Side view mirrors are positioned 8 inches behind the front of the door, creating excessively large blind spots. Short drivers with seats in forward position experience very limited mirror view.
When: Inherent design; reported at time of vehicle evaluation.
Symptoms owners cite: Very large blind spots on driver's side; Limited view provided by mirrors for short drivers; Poor visibility for drivers with forward-positioned seats
Sunroof spontaneous failure
Sunroof exploded while vehicle was being driven on interstate highway without physical contact or apparent cause. Glass shattered into multiple pieces throughout the vehicle interior.
When: While driving on I-35.
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof spontaneously shatters; Explodes without being touched; Glass spreads throughout interior of vehicle
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
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.