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 ↗2017 Subaru Forester visibility problems
moderate 105 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
105
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 105 visibility complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Forester, 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
Owners have filed 105 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Visibility accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
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
The 2017 Forester has a windshield durability problem that dominates the visibility complaints. Owners describe spontaneous cracking, sometimes with no visible impact—hairline fractures appear on parked cars, stress cracks grow from nothing, and stones or pebbles cause disproportionately large failures compared to other vehicles. A small rock hit creates a 24–30 inch linear crack. Minor chips expand overnight into 12+ inch splits. Cracks often originate internally (owners say they cannot feel them with a fingernail), suggesting a stress or manufacturing defect rather than surface damage alone. Multiple owners report replacing the windshield three or more times in short periods; one replaced it twice in 30 days, another three times in 2.5 years. Owners note aftermarket glass replacement often fails quickly; the OEM windshield is more durable. The EyeSight system requires recalibration after each windshield replacement, adding $400–600+ to repair costs. A national back-order affected windshield availability for extended periods. One owner reported a rearview mirror epoxy detaching, removing a chunk of glass and leaving the mirror dangling.
A separate issue involves defrost/defroster failure. One owner's air system and heating vents stopped working entirely, creating dangerous fogging and visibility loss in cold weather.
One complaint describes an aftermarket TRQ driver's mirror providing insufficient side visibility and larger blind spots than OEM.
Same Subaru Forester visibility reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield cracking—spontaneous/stress
Windshield develops cracks without documented impact, often while parked or from minor debris strike (pebble, small rock). Cracks originate internally and expand rapidly. Multiple owners replace windshield 2–3+ times within short intervals (months to 2.5 years). Owner comparisons to other vehicles and prior cars show this does not happen at the same rate elsewhere.
When: Throughout ownership; typically within first 1–4 years. Mileage 11,938 to 127,800 reported.
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous cracks appearing on parked vehicle overnight; Hairline cracks difficult to see until they spread; Internal cracks (not felt with fingernail); Small chip or minimal impact causing 12–30 inch linear cracks; Crack expansion over hours or days without further disturbance; Stress-pattern cracks (horizontal, spider-web, N-shaped propagation)
Repairs/costs cited: Full replacement required when crack >0.25 inch or longer than 12 inches. OEM Subaru windshield more durable than aftermarket. Replacement cost $250–1,300+ depending on OEM vs. aftermarket and EyeSight recalibration requirement (adds ~$400–600). National back-orders reported; some owners waited 2+ months. Multiple stone chips/dings may be repaired at smaller shops for $104–250 before replacement needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru does not manufacture the glass; it sources from suppliers. Owners report Subaru denied claims, offered no recall, and made no warranty coverage for glass. Class-action lawsuit filed (reference to 2016 Impreza/Outback settlement noted by owners). One owner reported Subaru customer support expedited a windshield delivery but the dealer sold it to another customer.
Windshield defects—brittle/low-quality glass
Owners allege the OEM windshield glass is inherently brittle or poorly made, resisting impact worse than competitor vehicles or owner's previous cars. Aftermarket replacement glass also exhibits early failure. One owner received four different windshields (three defective/failed early, fourth OEM was intact at report date). Another owner notes dealer parts person acknowledged the glass is cheap, thin, and poorly made.
When: Can manifest early in ownership (first rock strike) or after multiple replacements (aftermarket cycle).
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive fragility compared to other vehicles; Minor rock/debris creating disproportionately large crack; Aftermarket glass failing or chipping within weeks to months; Visible sparkling or optical distortion in replacement glass; Owner frustration and explicit comparison to competitor durability
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shops (Safelite, independent mechanics) typically recommend full replacement rather than repair for larger cracks. Aftermarket glass more likely to fail again; OEM is more durable. Costs $250–1,300+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or formal acknowledgment by Subaru. One owner reports dealer parts person admitted poor quality. Class-action settlement mentioned for 2016 Impreza/Outback; 2017 Forester not formally recalled.
Defrost/defroster system failure
Air conditioning and heating system stops functioning entirely, leaving vehicle unable to defog/defrost windshield. Reported in 2024 model year Forester with no prior accidents or recalls. Owner notes the issue is not uncommon for the brand.
When: Started June 2024; worsened with cold weather (Nov–Dec 2024, temps down to 10°F).
Symptoms owners cite: AC system does not run or cycles on then off; Defroster/defogger non-functional; All vents non-functional; Dangerous fogging/foiling of windshield in cold weather; Vision severely compromised in winter conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Not yet inspected by owner due to cost concerns; remains unrepaired as of report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall identified by owner.
Rearview mirror detachment from windshield
Rearview mirror epoxy adhesion fails, allowing the mirror mount button/bracket to remove a chunk of glass from the windshield as it detaches. Mirror then hangs by electrical cord alone. Reported in conjunction with windshield cracking issues; one owner attributes detachment to heat, another to spontaneous windshield fracture.
When: Occurs when windshield crack develops or in conjunction with thermal stress.
Symptoms owners cite: Mirror epoxy detaching from windshield; Metal button/bracket removing chunk of glass; Mirror dangling by electrical wire only; Rear visibility compromised; Glass surface damaged beyond regluing capability
Repairs/costs cited: Cannot be re-adhered to damaged glass; requires windshield replacement.
Aftermarket driver's side mirror—insufficient visibility
Replacement driver's side mirror manufactured by TRQ (aftermarket part sourced through Amazon) does not provide adequate side visibility compared to OEM Subaru mirror. Creates larger blind spots, posing a safety risk. Both original replacement and a second replacement mirror exhibit the same deficiency, suggesting design flaw rather than individual product defect.
When: Issue discovered post-installation of aftermarket mirror.
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced side visibility compared to OEM mirror; Significantly larger blind spot on driver's side; Problem persistent across two replacement mirrors (same manufacturer)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner obtained documentation and photographs comparing OEM and aftermarket field of vision.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TRQ manufacturer contacted multiple times; failed to adequately acknowledge defect and redirected owner to retailer (Amazon). No recall or remedy offered.
Synthesized from 105 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.
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…
Had visibility trouble with your 2017 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 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?
Across the 82 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 15,750 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,750; 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/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.