2020 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 600 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 26 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: visibility/wiper
252 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jul 18, 2022
UNKNOWN - the windshield seems to have spontaneously cracked. It was parked overnight in an uncovered driveway, and now there is a large crack down the middle. There is no particular pattern to suggest impact (and regardless the driveway is not underneath any nearby trees or other structures).
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2022
The vehicle has 27000 miles and the windshield shows multiple small chips and voids. The windshield is really thin and can’t take any wear and tear.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2022
While driving one day on the road I heard a pop noise and noticed a huge thin line crack in my windshield. This was directly in front of my line of vision while driving. It made it extremely difficult and dangerous to see while driving and light would reflect off the crack causing a glare. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by an independent service center and has been inspected by an independent party. There was no warning prior to this incident.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2022
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING AT PASSENGER SIDE TO MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SUBARU SAID THEY WONT PAY FOR IT EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY IS STILL CURRENT. HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD, $1750.00.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 16, 2022
While driving, a small pebble was believed to strike the front windshield (lower passenger side) because we heard a loud pop then noticed the windshield cracked immediately spanning the lower center of the windshield at least 18 inches from end to end. This crack negatively impacts driver visibility, distorting the view during both day and night driving. Insurance has not yet inspected the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, May 30, 2022
Front windshield seems very susceptible to chips and cracks. Since I purchased the vehicle new on 4/16/2020, the following repaired have happened: 3/15/21- chip repaired $19 8/30/21- two chips repaired $19 9/8/21- front window replaced after the formation of a large crack $410.28 5/30/22- crack spread from a chip that occurred yesterday (not repaired yet)
Visibility/wiper, May 29, 2022
Windshield has cracked in 2 different spots, one on the driver side and the other on the passenger side. The passenger side is a crack from the edge to the center of the windshield. I didn't see the item, it was so small it may have been a pebble, and barely heard the noise. I don't feel safe to drive it because I am worried the crack will go across the entire windshield making it unsafe to drive. I haven't filed a claim with my insurance company yet, but understand it is expensive to replace and get calibrated for the EyeSight camera.
Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2022
2 small cracks on windshield, unknown cause, possible small pebble. Now extended to a large crack on my winshield effecting eyesite. Through research appears this year and model has been shown to have a defective windshield and previous lawsuits filed. Would like to know if this lawsuit can be used in my case or if I can file. Cost to replace is ~ $3,000 out of pocket. This is ridiculous.
Visibility/wiper, May 26, 2022
Windshield cracked for no reason. Has continued to worsen. Has to be repaired for and paid for by customer. This seems to be a known Subaru problem.
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2022
The windshield cracked without any known trauma. The car was parked in a lot and when I came out the windshield had a large crack in it. The dealer where the car is serviced refused to see it stating they do not replace windshields.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2022
Drove the car to my place of work. There were no rocks , chips or other hitting the windshield. Came out to the car in the parking lot at lunch and the was a crack that stretched from the lower passenger side to the middle of the windshield. The local Subaru dealer played "dumb" and acted like they had never seen this problem and then blamed it on a rock chip after learning we knew of the thousands of Subaru's with similar problems.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 28, 2022
The vehicle is about 19 months old and has less than 15,000 miles. We were driving on the highway, passed a large truck, and a small rock got kicked up and hit the windshield near the top, just passenger-side of the eyesight camera. A 5 inch crack formed while we were driving and it grew another 2 inches before we made it to our destination. There is now a 7-in vertical crack in the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2022
Since purchasing 2020 Subaru Forester (35K miles) I have now had to replace THREE (3) windshield and have ONE (1) additional suboptimal windshield repair. Three incidents were immediately apparent from road debris from cars/trucks traveling in the opposite direction or passing. One appeared spontaneously. The cracks are all 12-24" long and curiously have only been in the areas directly in front of the driver's forward vision. Prior to this I have been without any auto insurance claims for over 40 years! 1. Windshield unsuitably sensitive to chipping and cracking. 2. Impairs driver vision and impairs use of Eye Sight technology. 3. All defects/damages have been confirmed by Safelite. 4. No other third party inspections have been required. 5. No warning lamps appeared before the incidents.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2022
I have had four cracked windshields since I took possession of the car in October 2020. August 2021, October 2021, April 2022, April 2022
Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2022
For the 2nd time in 5 months, my windshield has cracked (crack in excess of 6 inches) for no apparent reason
Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2022
Large crack appeared in windshield. Car was parked at the time and was not hit by anything. Filed claim with insurance company and they are going to replace windshield. Called Evanston Subaru about incident about warranty coverage and they have not returned my call. I have read that this is a problem for Subarus.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2022
I drove my car at lunchtime to get lunch and returned to work. There was no issue. Then less than 5 hours later when I left work around 5:30 pm and went to my car there was a large crack from the base of my windshield almost in the center. It doesn’t go all the way to the top but curves in a sort of U shape. Obviously I now need a new windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2022
I got in my car one day and noticed a crack going up through the middle of my windshield - about 10 inches and went all the way to the bottom edge of the glass. After traveling a short distance (15ish min) and leaving it parked for a couple of hours, I came back and it had now turned horizontally across the windshield maybe 4-6 inches toward the driver's side. No impact or incident to cause the crack initially or that extended it.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2022
The forester's windshield cracked over 2 feet. We brought it to the dealer for a warranty claim, and the dealer rejected it. They said the windshield was hit by something and caused the crack. I am not sure how big of an object has to hit the windshield to cause such a crack. Subaru is not taking any responsibility for their product's quality. This is a common problem for Subaru owners and should be addressed via recall.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2022
Windshield cracked from no apparent damage. I was driving and a hairline fracture spread from the top driver side of the Windshield to the middle.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2022
Front windshield crack for no reason.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2022
I was driving in fine weather, in a smooth highway when a crack occurred in the windshield for no apparent reason. I initially thought a dust particle must have hit in the wrong place, but then was alerted to the fact that a windshield should not break for no apparent reason. I have owned cars for decades, and this is the first time that I have had a windshield crack, and in a nearly new car. It is a Forester 2020. I drove a Forester 2002 for nearly fifteen years with no issue ever. I have, upon research, found out that I am one of many people waiting for Subaru windshields for my same model, and that there is clearly a pattern that suggests an error in the making. I called Subaru of America and also my dealership and neither one seemed receptive to my concerns, nor showed any awareness of windshield issues. I did my own research after the glass company alerted me to the fact that there is a class action lawsuit for my very vehicle in process due to overwhelming problems with the windshields cracking for no apparent reason. I find this really concerning. Subaru markets itself for its all terrain vehicles, and while I only drive on roads and highways, they are vehicles supposedly designed to go through much rougher terrain. The problems with the windshields are a concerning safety alert for all the owners of these vehicles, and particularly for those who use them in a variety of terrains. I did find through my own research that there are indeed lawsuits currently in process for this very issue, and that prior models were already recalled as well.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2022
I was driving from Gainesville Georgia to Stuart Florida and all of the sudden the windshield cracked from the top upper left corner to about 6 inches down. It continued to crack for about 18 inches or so within the next 24 hours. I only had the vehicle since September, 2020.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2022
A cracked windshield - the second replacement windshield in two months - As in the case of the first replacement windshield, this second crack appeared as I was sitting in a parking space in a parking lot. No movement of my vehicle. I've spoken with representatives of the company which installed this windshield and this company claims no responsibility. This company is authorized by Subaru. I've spoken to the manager of the Subaru dealership from which I purchased the car. The dealership claims no responsibility. I am planning to write to Subaru's corporate offices.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2022
My windshield cracked by itself overnight while the car was parking with no signs of any trauma to it. searching online there are multiple cases reported same problem i definitely believe there is a manufacturers defect with these windshields