2019 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 406about this part
- Share
- 49%of 834 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,375miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 406 complaints about the visibility of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 49% of the 834 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,375 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Monday october 21st I was driving 65 miles per hour on us 23 when I heard a nick on the windshield. About five minutes later I noticed a crack going from the top of the windshield to the middle. I had the windshield replaced insurance covered it but I had to pay $200 deductible. I have heard of many Subaru Forester windshields breaking in this manner.”
NHTSA complaint #11317917, filed 2020-03, 200 miles“My 2019 Subaru Forester developed multiple chips on windshield in just 7 months (4500 miles). Dealer told me that it was due to bad roads/salt on the road. But I am driving my other vehicle (toyota) on the same roads for past 5 years, and not a single chip/crack on it! The problem is definitely poor quality of windshield on 2019 Subaru Forester.”
NHTSA complaint #11311754, filed 2020-02, 4,500 miles“While driving on a freeway, our windshield started cracking, we didn't hear anything strike windshield, but assumed it was a pebble. We had it replaced at dealership. One month later, a pebble did make a ding on windshield while driving on freeway. While that ding was being repaired (filled), the windshield cracked... Thus, needed to be replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #11337191, filed 2020-07, 6,000 miles“The windshield glass of my Subaru Forester 2019 model is highly prone to cracking. It is just over 10k miles. It has a 12 inch crack out of nowhere. I cannot identify the reason for this crack as I did not hear any rock-hitting sound while I was driving the car. There might be a rock or other small object hitting my windshield. But the sound must be too gentle to notice.”
NHTSA complaint #11391092, filed 2021-02, 11,500 miles“I drove to work in the morning and parked in the parking garage. Windshield was totally fine. When I walked back in the evening, I saw immediately there was a huge crack in the bottom half of the windshield with no other apparent damage. My car was stationary the entire time and it's clear there was no external event that caused the crack.”
NHTSA complaint #11316490, filed 2020-03, 11,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11016229Mar 27, 2025This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
- 11016218Mar 24, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed…
- 11014848Feb 13, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Front Windshield used in the above listed…
- 11012261Dec 17, 2024This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields…
Visibility (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 2019 Subaru Forester
145 complaintsElectrical system
134 complaintsEngine
106 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsLane departure
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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