THERE IS A CHIP/DENT IN THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE WINDSHIELD OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED FROM REGULAR USE AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS INFERIOR/DEFECTIVE.
2017 subaru Forester visibility problems
moderate 105 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
105
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
WINDSHIELD PRESENTED WITH LARGE CRACK OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN ON 4/3/18. WAS REPLACED BY SAFE LITE REPAIR WITH OEM GLASS. CRACKED AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND WAS REPLACED BY LOCAL AUTO BODY.
WINDSHIELD IS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND WILL CRACK ACROSS WITH IMPACTS THAT OTHER CARS CAN SUSTAIN. 3 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS REQUIRED IN 18 MONTHS.
12/11/19 2PM DRIVING AT 55MPH SOUTH ON ROUTE 321 BETWEEN KANE, PA AND WILCOX, PA. NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, NO STONE CHIPS. NOTICED 6" L SHAPED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. DEFROSTER WAS ON. NEXT MORNING THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 14" AND GROWING.
WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKS DEVELOP TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP
MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK (2 FEET LONG) BEGINNING AT THE LOWER LEFT EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE WIPER EXTENDING HALF WAY UP THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACTS TO THE WINDSHIELD TO EXPLAIN THE CRACK, AND THE ORIGIN OF THE CRACK DID NOT CONTAIN A CHIP TO SHOW WHY IT STARTED. I NOTICED THE CRACK WHEN I PARKED AT MY HOUSE, I'M NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED BUT WAS SURE IT WASN'T PRE…
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2017 subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 105 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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