2011 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2011 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
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 wipers clog with ice and do not clear the windshield well. They freeze into the well between the hood and the windshield. I have to physically chop them loose with an ice scraper in very cold weather. Chunks of ice stick to the blades and do not release, resulting in blades that do not make full contact with the glass. I have tried several different types of blades including whatever they sell at the dealership and winter ice blades. They drag and smear during rain or snow, making it impossible to see clearly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11310639, filed 2020-02, 60,000 miles“Windshield wipers become inoperable in freezing temperatures and snowstorms. Wiper blades freeze and will not clear the windshield. Snow and ice gather in the trough where the blades rest and block fluid. Warming feature will not clear this problem as the snow and ice continue to accumulate in this area. Salt cannot be cleared from the windshield even though the vehicle is fully warmed up and the wiper warming feature is activated. The rear wiper assembly also freezes and accumulates large ice chunks. My visibility becomes impaired by over 75% causing an extreme hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10670823, filed 2015-01, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the sun visor fractured and distracted the driver briefly. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact removed the sun visor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10872071, filed 2016-06, 67,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 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 2011 Subaru Forester
60 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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