1998 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Subaru Forester, 7% of the 101 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The winshield glass chips very easily from minor stone hits at highway speed. I encountered 3 chips in a period of 3 months, driving on an interstate highway at 65 miles per hour. I think the glass is too vulnerable to breakage which compromises the safety of the occupants.”
NHTSA complaint #704648, filed 1999-03“This is the 2nd time I had a crack appear in my windshield. The first time was in late may 1998 when I was washing the car and sprayed cold water on it I heard a crack. I took it to the Subaru dealer in reno and they said it was really caused by a slight pebble that hit the windsheild. Then on 23 nov 98 after driving that day I noticed the next day that another crack again in the lower left hand (from drivers position) part of the windsheild another (yet smaller than the first) crack. It appears that a pebble may have caused it. …”
NHTSA complaint #700927, filed 1998-11“After owning the Forester just 3 months, the windshield had three chips in it which then spread into a crack across the driver's viewing area. After only 21,000 miles the clutch disc/plate had to be replaced and was not a warranty matter. After 42,000 miles a bearing in the rear axle has gone bad and the clutch is beginning to make the same noise for which it had to be replaced earlier. I am most disappointed in this vehicle.000 miles,000 miles the”
NHTSA complaint #718706, filed 2000-02“Windshield glass easily damaged. Has sandblasted appearance from road dirt. Impairs vision. Windshield, rear and side windows easily scratched by ice scraper that did not damage glass on other cars.”
NHTSA complaint #711892, filed 1999-09“1. Left air/heat vent non-functional. Air/heat is pushed out with almost no force, unlike right vent, which blows with significantly greater force. Brought this complaint to dealer who said he had the same problem with his car. Said it was design flaw, did nothing to address problem. 2. A spot of oil or grease-like substance appeared on rear left seat back. At first thought it was nothing, now stain has grown to cover almost a third of the entire seat back. The leak is obvious and growing, the seat back continuosly greasy and wet. …”
NHTSA complaint #712243, filed 1999-09Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 24% |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 12 | 16% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 90 | 42% |
| 2020 | 301 | 50% |
| 2019 | 406 | 49% |
| 2018 | 156 | 31% |
| 2017 | 116 | 20% |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 12 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Forester
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsTires
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology