This bulletin announces availability of new A/C compressor assemblies designed to address customer concerns of reduced system performance accompanied by a rattling and / or scraping type sound.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Subaru Forester visibility problems
moderate 146 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
146
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 146 visibility complaints filed for the 2018 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
Visibility accounts for 30% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 146 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.
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 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
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester are reporting widespread windshield failures across a broad range of mileage and conditions. The two dominant patterns are cracks triggered by minor rock strikes and spontaneous cracks with no visible impact.
Rock-strike failures: Owners describe small pebbles—some the size of a pinhead or smaller than a millimeter dust particle—hitting the windshield and immediately starting a crack. Within hours or days, the crack spreads from a small chip to half or more of the windshield, often reaching the driver's line of sight and impairing visibility. A few owners have had to replace windshields twice or three times in under three years, each time from what they consider a trivial impact that wouldn't have damaged previous vehicles they owned.
Spontaneous cracks: Multiple owners report discovering large cracks on parked, stationary vehicles with no evidence of impact—no chip, divot, or mark. Glass repair professionals examining these cracks confirm they see no external damage. Some cracks appear after cold nights, overnight parking, or activation of the defrost feature. One owner's vehicle was parked for three days before a large crack was discovered across the driver's side.
Seal and installation issues: One owner noted a windshield seal visibly dislodged at purchase, and a dealer stated they could not repair it.
Costs and warranty: Windshield replacement with EyeSight recalibration runs $750 to $1,674. Subaru denies warranty coverage. Safelite AutoGlass (Subaru's partner) confirms the issue is "known and common" but states no stronger alternative glass is available—replacements use the same OEM glass. Owners report a pending class-action lawsuit involving 2.5 million Subaru models (2017–2020).
Same Subaru Forester visibility reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield cracks from minor or unmeasurable rock/debris strikes
Small pebbles, gravel, or barely perceptible debris impact the windshield and trigger cracks that spread rapidly across the glass. Owners report minor impacts (pinhead-sized rocks, dust particles, small stones) causing cracks that grow from inches to feet in hours or days, sometimes reaching half or more of the windshield.
When: Typically early ownership (under 3 years); some within first year; mileage 5,000–50,000+
Symptoms owners cite: Small impact point followed by rapid crack propagation; Cracks originating in lower corner/black frame area and spreading horizontally or vertically; Cracks obscuring driver vision within hours or days of impact; Spiderweb or branching cracks extending far beyond the initial strike point
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement required; OEM glass replacement runs $750–$1,674+ (including EyeSight recalibration); often covered by insurance deductible ($100 reported), but owners bear repeated replacement costs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru denies warranty coverage in most cases; one dealership offered single 'goodwill' replacement; Subaru Service Managers state 'no technical bulletins' for windshield warranty repair; class action lawsuit filed (2017+) alleging defective/brittle windshield in 2.5M models (2017–2020); lawsuit references deicer/thermal stress as contributing factor
Spontaneous windshield cracks without apparent impact
Windshields crack while vehicle is parked, stationary, or during normal low-speed driving with no visible evidence of rock strike, projectile, or contact. Cracks appear overnight, after heating/defrosting, or without any recalled incident, suggesting internal glass defect or thermal stress.
When: Throughout ownership; often discovered after parking or overnight; some triggered by defrost activation or cold weather; mileage 130–75,000
Symptoms owners cite: Crack discovered on parked vehicle with no prior visible damage; No chip, divot, or impact mark visible along crack line; Crack beginning at base, top, or roof line (especially near rearview mirror); Crack appearing or expanding after defrost activation or freezing night; Glass repair professionals noting no external damage or 'crack on inside, not outside'
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield replacement; costs $750–$1,333+ for replacement + EyeSight recalibration; some owners attempt temporary repair with Rainx windshield repair kits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru claims no warranty coverage; states windshields are 'thin glass because of EyeSight technology'; no recall issued for 2018 Forester (though 2016 Outback recall exists for windshield issue); dealerships direct owners to call insurance or glass repair specialists (Safelite); Safelite confirms 'known and common issue' and states replacement is with same OEM glass, no stronger option available
Recurring windshield failures after replacement
Owners experience multiple windshield cracks within a short timeframe (weeks to months apart), sometimes in the same location or corner. New windshield (OEM or replacement) cracks again from minor strikes or spontaneously, creating a cycle of expensive repairs.
When: Typically within 6 months to 1.5 years of prior windshield replacement; some recurrences within 4 months; mileage 11,000–57,000
Symptoms owners cite: Second/third/fourth windshield failure in short succession (two within 14 months, three within 2 years, four+ by 10,000 miles); Recurrent cracks in same location (lower left corner, base area); Low-impact strikes causing repeat failures; Some failures spontaneous; others from minor debris despite preventative driving
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple windshield replacements; owners report costs of $750–$1,674 per replacement; some owners purchase aftermarket glass to avoid repeated OEM replacement; others attempt DIY repair kits between replacements
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru does not cover repeat failures under warranty; dealerships refer to insurance; no recall or service bulletin issued; owners note lawsuit includes this population and dealers acknowledge 'excessive windshield cracking' in some regions (e.g., Michigan)
Windshield seal misalignment/improper installation
Windshield seal or gasket is visible (dislodged or not properly seated) where it should be hidden behind dashboard trim. This misalignment may create a stress point that initiates cracking when minor rock strikes occur.
When: Visible at purchase or early ownership; failure mileage ~5,000
Symptoms owners cite: Seal visibly dislodged or protruding from dashboard area; Rock strike initiating spider crack at the unseated seal location; Dealer unable to repair or reseat the seal
Repairs/costs cited: Requires windshield removal and re-installation; dealer indicated unable to perform repair; rock-damage windshield replacement ensued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated unable to repair; no warranty claim noted
Rear door window spontaneous shattering
Rear side window (passenger door) shatters without apparent impact while driving at low speed. Owner heard creaking noises earlier that day, suggesting internal stress fracture.
When: Mileage not specified; single reported incident
Symptoms owners cite: Window shatters spontaneously on side street (20 MPH); No heard impact; precursor creaking sounds earlier that day; All glass dispersed (shattered, not cracked)
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified in narrative
Synthesized from 146 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Vehicle was stationary, parked, engine was off, no one was in the car. Crack spontaneously appeared from base of windshield up about 5 inches. There was no crack in the windshield when I parked the car. There was no rock chip on the way up. I looked closely at the crack and there is no evidence of a rock chip, no divot anywhere along the crack, none whatsoever. When I returned, a crack had…
Multiple cracks on the windshield. Some cracks are from very small rocks and my insurance covered it . The most recent crack is very large and didnt appear to start from any rock. This windshield feels very unsafe.the vehicle was stationary .
Windshield easily getting chips and pits affecting visibility and now a crack from, a small pebble.
Windshield got cracked without any visible reason while parked in garage, and crack gradually went all across the window. That made driving not safe. Windshield replacement was not covered by warranty and did cost a bit over $1500 including eyesight recalibration. All paperwork for repair/calibration is available.
While driving glass chips appeared, unexpectedly, on three multiple locations.
Had visibility trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 146 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 101 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 11,000 and 30,502 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 30,502. 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/2018/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.