2018 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 156about this part
- Share
- 31%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 156 complaints about the visibility of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 31% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,800 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My windshield has cracked easily in multiple locations while driving on the freeway. In the little over a year that I have owned this vehicle it has cracked sooner and more often than my two prior vehicles. The ease of which my windshield has cracked is concerning for the safety of the driver due to the integrity of the windshield being so easily impaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11389452, filed 2021-01, 45,000 miles“Have had my 2018 Subaru Forester for almost 4 years now and it has approx. 29855 miles. Before the crack appeared I had no damage to my windshield. While driving down the interstate, I heard a a slight pop almost like a bottle dent popping out because of carbonation at the time their were no other vehicles traveling in my vicinity, shortly after hearing the noise my passenger noticed the crack.”
NHTSA complaint #11403037, filed 2021-03, 29,855 miles“The windshield of my 2018 Forester spontaneously cracked eight months after purchase while driving on I-25 eight months after purchase. There was no collision or impact that caused the crack. I had the windshield replaced by safelite autoglass on march 26, 2019. The cost for replacement after insurance was $200.”
NHTSA complaint #11318053, filed 2020-03, 5,000 miles“After not driving my vehicle for 2 months due to covid I noticed I have a huge crack that grew by at least an inch a day whilst the car was in my garage. The crack started on the bottom black portion where it looks like it chipped (see photo) the windshield and has spidered from there. I have measured the crack daily with a chalk marker and the crack will soon be across the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11323489, filed 2020-05, 12,000 miles“On several occasions while driving on the highway, my eyesight feature suddenly disengages and my cruise control ceases to work and no lane assist or other safety features contained with the eyesight package work for extended periods of time. This has occurred when it is raining or snowing.”
NHTSA complaint #11292420, filed 2020-01, 15,050 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 2018 Subaru Forester
99 complaintsOther or unknown
85 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsSeats
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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