Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 24% | — |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% | 4,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% | — |
| 2023 | 12 | 16% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% | 8,000 miles |
| 2021 | 90 | 43% | 5,000 miles |
| 2020 | 301 | 50% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 406 | 49% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 155 | 31% | 20,000 miles |
| 2017 | 115 | 19% | 34,000 miles |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% | 38,000 miles |
| 2015 | 24 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% | 29,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% | 110,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 85,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% | 32,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). Then, May 30th as I exited a highway midway up the ramp going ~40-45 mph behind another auto going the same slow speed with 1-1.5 car length between us, something struck my windshield and immediately the strike had clearly broken the windshield just below the driver's direct line of sight and put a thorough 'star' the size of a nickel coin. There did not appear to be any debris on the road nor off or out of the auto in front of me. …
I closed the driver's door, and the rear windshield shattered and collapsed into the vehicle. No known defects were known prior to the incident. Animals or contents in the rear compartment could have been cut by the shattered glass. The vehicle is only 4 months old. The rear windshield will be replaced by an independent glass company. We live in a very rural area, and park well away from the road. There were no storms since the previous use of the vehicle. Thus, no damage prior to the glass shattering.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side mirror vibrated abnormally. The failure caused the reflection in the mirror to become distorted. The contact stated that while driving faster than 40 MPH, the vibration of the mirror increased. The contact stated that the Blind Spot warning operated as needed; however, the distortion of the mirror caused visual eye strain while looking into the mirror. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer three times, and the mirror was replaced on the first visit. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vibration reoccurred and was more pronounced. The contact stated that after the last visit to the dealer, a technician wedged two pieces of rubber into the mirror. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper blade speed adjuster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wiper blade speed adjuster was set for a slow intermittent speed, however the speed increased. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
I was driving down the road and a bottle was thrown out of a vehicle going the opposite direction as me. Upon impact my windshield shattered and sent shards of glass flying into the cabin of my vehicle. The shards of glass were thrown into my face and would have gone into my eyes had I not been wearing glasses. The glass broke into small shards and splinters that could have easily damaged my eyes or blinded me or a passenger. When I took it to the dealership the staff was shocked by how easily a plastic bottle punctured through the windshield and the amount of glass debris that was thrown into the vehicle.
Windshield cracked during rainstorm [redacted] in San Diego in upper right corner, After 3 days crack appeared which has now spread to 4 inches Dealer has confirmed that winsheild needs reapir and is not covered by bumper to bumber warranty Vehicle only has mileage of 7900 since delivery Estimated cost of replacement $1400
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, she noticed that a pea-sized stone had struck the front windshield and caused a crack. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,999. The VIN was not available.
I believe Subaru STILL has issues I've found when researching them before I bought my vehicle, about weak windshields. I purchased a new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness just a little over a week ago. I was driving to the dealership to drop off some papers, leaving plenty of room around me, and something small hit my windshield because I didn't see any object. My guess is a small pebble off from somewhere off the road? Instant chip that formed the start of a spiderweb crack. I've been driving for 28 years in multiple vehicles and have had small pebbles hit my windshield. I've had glass replacement twice, ever. I feel like my old 2010 Ford Focus could have taken that hit. I understand the complaints by other consumers and feel these windshields are fragile and unsafe. I had less than 400 miles on my car at the time of impact and was traveling 65 mph with plenty of distance around me. …
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (406), 2020 (301), 2018 (155), 2017 (115) and 2021 (90) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 26V-346 (sun/moon roof assembly, May 28, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles; 91% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield (143 mentions), followed by the rearview mirrors/devices › exterior (8).
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.