2021 Subaru Forester Visibility Problems

Windshield cracks with the slightest rock hit making the windshield unsafe to continue use. Had two replacements in first six months

NHTSA ID

11673017

Incident

Jul 12, 2025

Having repeat issues with the windshield cracking. My vehicle has around 32k miles, and I'm already on my 3rd windshield. I've never had this issue with any other vehicle. It's been extremely costly. Also the transmission failed and had to be replaced at 26,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11625815

Incident

Nov 5, 2024

The front windshield is covered in chips all over it I've got a few bigger ones repaired. However the whole windshield needs to be replaced I don't even know where they've come from I mean the whole windshield is just covered and tiny little chips and when the sun shines on it while you're driving It makes visibility extremely hard. And from what I gather researching windshields on Subaru this is a flaw... I've had plenty of vehicles and never have seen such a bad windshield. I recently purchased this vehicle in August and it has $112,000 mi on it. I did not see the issue with the windshield until after purchasing it and driving in direct sunlight. I did notice a few big chips in The windshield and the dealership did repair those...

NHTSA ID

11620045

Incident

Oct 16, 2024

**Component Malfunction**: The windshield developed cracks shortly after purchase, which expanded without impact, affecting visibility and causing the Safety Eyesight system to malfunction. **Safety Risk**: The expanding crack impaired vision and led to safety system malfunctions, posing a risk to driver and passenger safety. **Problem Reproduction**: It is unclear if the issue has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. **Inspection Status**: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. **Warning Signs**: There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure; the issue appeared in the first week after purchase.

NHTSA ID

11617156

Incident

Jul 22, 2024

Windscreen cracked for no apparent reason

NHTSA ID

11608744

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11608245

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

I was driving along the highway when I heard the sound of a pebble hitting my windshield. When I got home, I immediately checked my windshield and did not see any damage. I was quite relieved. Two hours later, I looked out and saw a very long crack had appeared. The crack went from nothing to about 22 inches long in a matter of hours. I went to investigate further and saw that the pebble created a small pit on the edge of the windshield. Unfortunately, like typical windshields, the pit did not remain consistent in size and stay put. Instead, it spread out as a very large crack on the window. I read today that Subaru has a lawsuit against this very thing - faulty windshields. I have had this vehicle two weeks and now have a very costly repair because of the eyesight technology. I bought this car for its reliability without knowing that it had faulty windshields.

NHTSA ID

11592004

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,350.

NHTSA ID

11587502

Incident

May 6, 2024

Mileage

34,350 mi

Just discovered this morning that the windshield of my car has a long crack without being hit by any item like stone or small debris. It also affects the eyesight as it malfunctions occassionally

NHTSA ID

11586211

Incident

Apr 28, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed micro-fractures developing on the front windshield of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA ID

11583289

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

Mileage

15,000 mi

Windshield has cracked twice with no visual impact site or minimal impact. Occurred almost ‘spontaneously.’ Both incidents had significant splintering on the windshield impairing visibility. Incidents occurred within 6 months of each other. The windshield cracking can also affect the ‘Eye Sight’ camera with the car safety features. Appears to be a known issue with the type of glass used.

NHTSA ID

11582052

Incident

Apr 10, 2024

Had a rock barely touch my windshield causing a crack

NHTSA ID

11570024

Incident

Dec 16, 2023

Barely pushed on inside of windshield with foot and it cracked in a million directions.

NHTSA ID

11556833

Incident

Nov 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front windshield cracked from the side and extended to the center of the windshield. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 13,000.

NHTSA ID

11546571

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

Mileage

13,000 mi

As I was getting into my vehicle with my family, we heard a loud noise come from the front of the vehicle ( windshield are). We immediately noticed the windshield had cracked and it had started right underneath the driver area and was going up the middle and turned to passenger side of the windshield. All of this occurred while vehicle was parked. Have been reading this has been an ongoing issue with Subaru.

NHTSA ID

11543458

Incident

Sep 8, 2023

I have ~50,000 miles and have had an excessive amount of chips on my front windshield. Getting them filled doesn't matter, and the windshield will crack. I've replaced the windshield twice since owning this vehicle at $1200+ (high costs due to front camera recalibration). I've owned many vehicles over the years and have never had a windshield chip or crack this frequent. I've seen many other complaints online, did Subaru cheap out on glass or is the wind shield angle ineffective in shedding simple road debris from causing failures? I have concerns that the windshield would be unable to stop larger debris from entering the cabin and potentially injuring occupants.

NHTSA ID

11535666

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

When I was driving less than 40 MPH a small pebble hit the lower portion of my windshield and the glass instantly cracked across my line of sight. It made it so images were distorted.

NHTSA ID

11524682

Incident

May 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a small crack had developed on the front windshield. After parking the vehicle, the contact discovered that the crack had expanded. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield to have caused the windshield to crack. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 27,985.

NHTSA ID

11522682

Incident

May 18, 2023

Mileage

27,985 mi

Subaru's Windshield problems persist. Bought a 2021 forester in 2021, shortly after had a small chip turn into a giant crack in a matter of days. Dealership wouldn't repair under warranty, so $1000+ to have it replaced and Eyesight recalibrated. I understand now why they sell glass insurance. Less than 18 months later the replacement windshield spontaneously cracked from the bottom up, forming a 18" upside down L-shape, just as the previous class action lawsuit describes. No warning as this happened sitting in a garage overnight, no outside influence could have caused it. The crack is partially within sightline to the hood, but visibility to the road is impaired by the horizontal portion of the crack.

NHTSA ID

11521522

Incident

May 9, 2023

My Subaru Forester 2021 windshield cracked spontaneously with no contact of an object (rock, etc.) Previous known issues and class action suits related to Subaru model windshields cracking spontaneously with no contact.

NHTSA ID

11516016

Incident

Mar 29, 2023

THE WINDSHEILD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, JUST IN FRONT OF THE EYESIGHT SENSOR, ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. THE CAR HAS 35,000 MILES, AND IS DRIVEN BY A 67 YEAR OLD. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS MID 50'S.

NHTSA ID

11512894

Incident

Mar 20, 2023

I awoke to find the passenger side windshield cracked from the bottom, near wiper, extending upward and the moving horizontal in an Upside down L shape. I did a search and found that this incident is similar to others who own Subaru Foresters which is the vehicle I own. It is a 2021 model. I called my Subaru dealer and recommended that I take it to Wilson Auto Glass in Wheeling WV where I live. He did not tell me to bring it in to the service dept first.

NHTSA ID

11511979

Incident

Mar 14, 2023

Windshield spontaneously cracked, many others reported. Impaired vision, windshield could scatter while driving. Inspected & repaired by Subaru dealer, insurance company claim.

NHTSA ID

11510223

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

I was driving in downtown Chicago with my cousin. We had already been in the car driving around the city for ~15 minutes, so the car was warm. I had approached a stoplight, and we both heard a thud. I had assumed, because it had recently snowed, that it was some slush dropping on my car from a light. So, we were both looking around (specifically up), for what it could be. However, when we both looked forward again, we saw a 6-inch crack in my windshield. It's in the middle of my windshield in between my two wipers. As I further drove, the crack continued to grow for another 4-5 inches to the right. After doing a bit of research, Subaru has had issues with windshields before, and has settled a class action lawsuit (CLA) related to it. The crack that I experienced is the same type of crack that occurred with the windshields in the CLA. I had reached out to my insurance company (Progressive), and they did not have any idea about this issue with Subarus and said that it was not covered to replace it. I have not reached out to dealership yet for information. There was no warning lights, no drastic speed, no rocks or physical damage to the region that could explain the crack. However, if something like this could occur when barely anything is happening, what is the safety for a windshield when the car is on a highway, when a stone hits, when its sub-zero temperatures, etc.

NHTSA ID

11504472

Incident

Jan 28, 2023

In the afternoon when I returned to my vehicle, a large crack (roughly 8 inches) formed on the lower sector of the windshield that appeared to have oriented by the mounting of the passenger wiper arm. I inspected the windshield for damage such as a rock chip and could not find anything to suggest that the integrity was compromised in any way. Their was no visible damage to the windshield other than the crack that formed. The crack formed while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot

NHTSA ID

11496173

Incident

Dec 5, 2022