2021 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 207 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 16 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: visibility
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2021
Windshield on the car has a 18" crack after no impact. It was brand new when we got it just over 2 months ago. Only 1500 miles on the car and already the windshield cracked so badly that it's beyond repair and needs to be replaced. This is a known issue with Subarus that they have not addressed
Visibility/wiper, Jun 2, 2021
UNKNOWN the windshield began to crack from the top during drive and has continued to crack down the middle
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2021
This is for a car only 18 days driven. Windshield cracked from bottom, under retaining gasket, with no strike, impact, or previous ding. Car hood flexes up and down, more than 2-inches, when large trucks pass in opposite direction. Automatic fuel stop at pump did not work properly, causing fuel spill one time, and underfill another time. Windshield visibility and possibility of total failure. Car hood could fly up and obscure visibility and break windshield. Have not contacted dealer or insurance company yet about issues. Windshield problem is a known defect for Subaru, and subject of many lawsuits. No warnings before problems.
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2021
The windshield on my Forester continues to chip and crack. I'm not understanding how and why. The first time it happened I repaired it. Now this is the 2nd time and there are multiple scratches and cracks in the center of the windshield. They are currently small. I am going to have to repair it AGAIN. I just bought my car in December 2020. It has been 5 months with two windshield incidents. I've owned cars for years and never had this issue.
Visibility, May 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED BEANS SUBARU (854 N EASTON RD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902, (215) 340-7959) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COPAY FOR THE INSURANCE WOULD BE REIMBURSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AT 9AM WHEN I WALKED IN TO MY OFFICE BUILDING, WHEN I CAME OUT AT 5:15 PM THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK STRETCHING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWARDS THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ALL DAY, IN A VERY SLOW OFFICE BUILDING COMPLEX (THERE WERE 3 OF US AT WORK) PARKED ALONG THE FRONT WALKWAY, THERE IS NO FOOT TRAFFIC AROUND OUR BUILDING.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF BUYING MY CAR. I HAD IT REPLACED WHEN IT CRACKED THE FIRST TIME LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT JUST CRACKED FOR A SECOND TIME LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED PLACE.
Visibility, Apr 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,900.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 18, 2021
A CRACK APPEARED FOR NO REASON ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DEALING WITH AN ISSUE WHERE THE CAR ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT RANDOM SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE SENSITIVITY TURNED DOWN. LAST NIGHT WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT IT WENT OFF FOR NO REASON AGAIN. THIS MORNING WHEN DRIVING MY CAR I NOTICED A ~12INCH CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IT CURVES FROM THE EDGE AT THE MIDDLE OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. PHOTO ATTACHED. THIS CRACK MUST HAVE HAPPENED WHILE SITTING STATIONARY PARKED OUTSIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2021
I PURCHASED MY 2021 SUBARU FORESTER IN LATE NOVEMBER 2020. ON THE MORNING OF 2/24/2021 I DISCOVERED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK. I WAS NOT DRIVING. IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WENT UP FROM THERE. IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN FROM AN IMPACT SINCE THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD, BELOW THE LINE OF THE HOOD AND BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. OVER THE NEXT WEEK THE CRACK GOT LONGER. MY SUBARU DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN VEHICLE WAS 5 WEEKS OLD
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2021
WHILE PARKED AT WORK, MY WINDOW CRACKED ABOUT 10-12' RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT FORMED FROM A SMALL PIT IN THE WINDOW. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS MAYBE 5 WEEKS OLD, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THESE SMALL PITS ALL OVER THE WINDOW WHICH COULD BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY FRIEND HAS A 2020 FORESTER THAT HAD THE WINDOW CRACK IN THE SAME FASHION AFTER ABOUT 5 WEEKS OF OWNING THE CAR AS WELL. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2021
I HAVE OWNED THE CAR ONLY SINCE NOV AND ON MY FIRST ROAD TRIP LAST MONTH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING HOME TO NEW ORLEANS FROM MOBILE, AL. A COLD FRONT WAS COMING THROUGH AND IT WAS RAINING. WE DROVE FROM A WARMER AIR MASS INTO THE COLDER AIR BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. AT FIRST WE COULD NOT SEE THE CRACK BUT WHEN WE NOTICED THE CRACK IT WAS ALREADY ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG AND BY THE TIME WE COULD STOP TO LOOK AT THE WINDSHIELD IT HAD GROWN TO OVER 18 INCHES LONG.03
Visibility/wiper, Feb 13, 2021
WITH LESS THAT 800 MILES I CAUGHT A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD, SAFELITE REPAIRED THAT CRACK AND FILLED IT, THEN LATER THAT NIGHT WITH NO CARS AROUND ME ANOTHER ROCK HITS THE WINDSHIELD AND IT'S GOT A HUGE CRACK...THE CAR IS A 2021 WITH LESS THAT 800 MILES ON AND IT AND I NEED A NEW WINDSHIELD ALREADY!! I'VE OWNED CARS FOR YEARS AND THIS HASN'T HAPPENED. I FEEL THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE OR WEAK.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2021
I HAVE A 2021 SUBARU FORESTER, BOUGHT IN OCT. 2020. THE VEHICLE WAS PARK IN THE GARAGE. I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR AND NOTICE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON.