2020 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 301about this part
- Share
- 50%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,962miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 301 complaints about the visibility of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 50% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,962 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“No rock had hit that side of the window. I park at a bbq on the side of a residential road, no cars drive past, and three hours later I have a two foot crack in my window. Best part, took it to the dealer and he used his phone camera to zoom in as far as possible to say it was a rock chip and then picked at it to make it look even more so.”
NHTSA complaint #11326471, filed 2020-05, 2,800 miles“I noticed 4 small chips in the windshield when I was drying my car off after washing it. I do half my driving on the highway and am assuming the chips are from debris being kicked up from the vehicle's in front of me. I have heard a few pings on the windshield but did not notice anything at the times it happened until taking a closer look after drying my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11310760, filed 2020-02, 2,940 miles“Sitting at stop light . Light turned green I started thru the intersection and heard a snap. Wife made comment that a star had formed on the windshield on the drivers side below field of vision. No cars were in front of me and cars were at least 10 feet away from me going the opposite direction. Speed had not resumed to the speed limit of 40 MPH (about 20 MPH).”
NHTSA complaint #11325983, filed 2020-05, 750 miles“While driving on the highway, I heard a loud pop. I looked around and I noticed my windshield had a huge combination crack on the passenger side. I didn't see any object fly towards the car or trucks nearby. I was driving on the 2nd lane from the right. It was about 100 degrees f and 5 mins before I had turned on the AC at the lowest temp and fan speed to medium-high.”
NHTSA complaint #11350141, filed 2020-08, 8,600 miles“I've had my 2020 Subaru Forester for under 3 months and I've put less than 900 miles on it, and yet I've somehow still hit 3 small rocks resulting in 3 chips to the windshield impacting visibility on the driver's side. Safelite filled the chips but they are still visible. I believe this is a result of the acoustic glass being more fragile or prone to chips and cracks.”
NHTSA complaint #11384544, filed 2020-12, 800 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 2020 Subaru Forester
108 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsEngine
82 complaintsForward collision avoidance
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsLane departure
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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