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 …
2018 subaru Forester visibility problems
moderate 146 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
146
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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.
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?
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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