Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Driver side mirror vibrates making the view in the mirror blurry. The distorted picture causes confusion and safety hazard as it's very difficult to see in day and almost impossible at night. Vibrations are noticeable in the driver's side B pillar. According to the dealership, this is related to the car's frame, no further details were provided so far. Car has been in the service for almost two weeks due to this issue.
No particular incident happened, but the driver's side view mirror vibrates when moving especially at high speeds and/or bumpy roads. Worse at night as when you look, headlights in rear are shaking and make me dizzy and not look. The passengers side is nice and stable. Doesn't vibrate and shake.
I am a current lessee of a 2024 Subaru Ascent. I leased this vehicle starting July 27, 2024. My lease ends on July 27, 2027. I live 60 miles away from the dealership and only did a test drive around town. The minute I got on the freeway after leaving the dealership the night I leased the vehicle, I noticed the drivers side mirror heavily vibrated and I remember thinking how strange it was to have the headlights from the cars behind me look so shaky in the mirror. I took the car to the service department on August 9, 2024 where they logged a "driveability diagnostic" and "MPI." My reason for that appointment was the side mirror vibrations. It is bad during the day, but not as noticeable and very distracting when driving at night. …
Driver side mirror glass shakes constantly at any speed. This has been reported to the only dealership around my area. Mirror was replaced once by Service Dept, but only the mirror housing (not the glass). The mirror shakes the same or worse now. I went back to the dealership within minutes of driving my car off the lot after the replacement and told them the issue was not fixed. I was told to reschedule. I took another day off work to bring the car back to them, only to be told there is nothing else they can do. They keep saying the passenger side mirror shakes too, but it doesn't- at all. I keep telling them this. This mirror issue presents a huge safety hazard, as it is unreliable and useless to use it. It is also a significant distraction while driving. There were no warnings on the car about this mirror issue. …
2023 Subaru Ascent Touring. Front windshield easily cracked from minor rock strikes 3 times within 20 months. Replacement with Subarus OEM glasses twice already within 3 months. Now a new crack needs repair or potential replacement. Defective windshield that cannot withhold minor impact is clearly serious safety concern, increased stress on owner and burden on insurance, and impact to vehicle structural integrity for repeated replacements, and depreciation of vehicle value.
Just bought my Ascent last 12/31/22. With less than 600 miles, while driving with my heater on, I noticed there was a crack on windshield lower center portion, about 5" in length. There was no object that hit the windshield that I saw or heard.
The front panel of the moonroof cracked from the inside without any impact or clear cause. I brought the vehicle to my local Subaru dealer, Troncalli, for inspection, but they were unable to determine why it happened. I purchased this vehicle for my wife and kids, and now there's a cracked piece of glass directly above their heads. After doing some research, I found that this appears to be a common issue, often attributed to temperature fluctuations or body flexing. It seems Subaru used the same thin glass on the moonroof panels as they do on their windshields, which seems to be the problem. The vehicle is only three years old, yet Subaru has declined to cover the damage. I am hesitant to pay out of pocket to replace the panel, knowing the issue still exists on newer models, including the 2025s. My concern is that even after repair, it could easily happen again.
I own 4 Subarus I've replaced 4 windshields and since replacing the windshields, I have 4 broken windshields. The oldest Subaru I own is a 2020. The smallest rock cracks the windshield, many think it's the eye sight system and a much thinner windshield. Insurance companies increase the rates if you claim the windshield, so many Subaru owners just don't get them fixed, causing visibility issues. I emailed Subaru of America about the problem and they sent me a $500 dollar coupon for parts? I asked a dealership about it, they said "that's Arizona". 5 of the 8 broken windshields broke in Massachusetts where I bought 3 of the 4 Subarus, he avoided the conversation after that. Something's not right, and Subaru has gotten into trouble with this before.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Ascent years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (81), 2020 (60), 2024 (31), 2021 (18) and 2022 (7) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Subaru Ascent window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for any Subaru Ascent model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Subaru Ascent window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles; 95% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield (25 mentions), followed by the rearview mirrors/devices › exterior (24).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.