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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2026 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
24%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2026 Subaru Forester, 24% of the 34 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“I was working on fitting a cargo box on the crossbars the dealer had recently installed and noticed a milky white discoloration and moisture in the front driver's corner of the moonroof. I arranged for an appointment at the dealer who confirmed the glass had delaminated. They happened to have a replacement in stock and replaced it under warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11740854, filed 2026-05

“In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). …”

NHTSA complaint #11742094, filed 2026-06

“I am experiencing a serious visibility defect in my 2026 Subaru Forester. When driving at night with headlights on, a dark curtain or shadow drops down over more than half of the windshield. This occurs consistently and severely reduces forward visibility. It is dangerous and makes it difficult to see road signs, street signs, vehicles up ahead, and orienting landmarks. My Subaru dealer test drove the vehicle at night and confirmed the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11768506, filed 2026-10

“I closed the driver's door, and the rear windshield shattered and collapsed into the vehicle. No known defects were known prior to the incident. Animals or contents in the rear compartment could have been cut by the shattered glass. The vehicle is only 4 months old. The rear windshield will be replaced by an independent glass company. We live in a very rural area, and park well away from the road. There were no storms since the previous use of the vehicle. Thus, no damage prior to the glass shattering.”

NHTSA complaint #11757019, filed 2026-08

“On the first day of receiving the car the windshield looked clear by day but it had little specks and lines like dust when driven at dusk and night of the first day it was driven. I brought it back to the dealer, they replaced it with a new one, and the problem persists. A clear windshield is much safer than one with specks.”

NHTSA complaint #11735070, filed 2026-05

Related recalls

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026824%
20252020%
2024516%
20231216%
20222424%
20219042%
202030150%
201940649%
201815631%
201711620%
2016236%
2015285%
2014123%
201356%
201255%
201132%
201093%
2009116%
200812%
200723%
200533%
200410%
200384%
200211%
200143%
199922%
199877%

Other parts of the 2026 Subaru Forester

Electrical system
8 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
7 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2026 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