2019 Subaru Forester visibility problems

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Body, Visibility · IN

In May 2025, I had the passenger-side mirror on my 2019 Subaru Forester replaced at a licensed Subaru dealership. I was told the replacement part would be factory-original and matched to the vehicle’s VIN, which specifies a dark metallic grey exterior. After the repair was completed, I noticed that the mirror casing was the wrong color — a visibly lighter grey than the rest of the car. While the mirror is functional and undamaged, the color mismatch may affect how other drivers perceive the vehicle, especially during lane changes or turns. In certain lighting or weather conditions, the inconsistency could potentially cause confusion or misinterpretation of the car’s shape or position. The dealership acknowledged that the wrong part color was used based on my VIN, but refused to replace it without full repayment. There were no warning lights or error messages associated with the issue. The part is still installed on the vehicle and available for inspection. I am reporting this as a consumer concern regarding improper VIN-matched component replacement, which may pose a minor but notable risk to the awareness and safety of other drivers.

Filed Aug 30, 2024 · Visibility · MI

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Visibility · CO

I started my car and turned on the windshield wipers and fluid to clear the windshield. Within a few seconds of wiping the windshield, I heard a pop and a crack directly down the center of the windshield starting at the top developed along the line of the eyesight system and rearview mirror mount. There were no known rock chips and I had not experienced any debris hitting this section of the windshield. This appears to be a stress crack.

Filed May 20, 2024 · Visibility · VA

I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2019, and since them i have had to replace my windshield once in January of 2023 (piece of gravel on highway), then in February of this year, my passenger front window busted out .. nothing hit it, it just blew out while i was driving. Weather that day was 53. Then Friday, another windshield crack near eyesite device. This will require another full replacement. At this pace, i cannot afford to keep this car. Before i purchased this car i searched long and hard for the safest vehicle i could find and Subaru always came up on top. Now that i'm an owner having to dish out of pocket every few months for glass replacement, i'm starting to rethink my purchase. I've done research and have found thousands of the same complaints online.. Its a shame that the company is not taking any steps to improve this huge design flaw!

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Visibility · NJ

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed that the new windshield that was installed 11 days prior, was cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was previously replaced due to the same failure. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 19, 2024 · Visibility · OR

Car was sitting outside for the day (with camera observing it). Windshield had no issues when the car was moved to the street in the morning. Windshield was cracked from driver side bottom corner all the way past the half way point and about half way up the windshield. Review of camera video confirmed that no one or thing touched the car during the day. Suspect that the windshield is defective.

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Visibility · 32,123 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, unattended, he noticed that the front windshield had cracked without impact. The contact called the local dealer, where it was determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and assisted with the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 32,123.

Filed Jan 9, 2024 · Visibility · IL

Windshield spontaneously cracked without any known impact or damage. Vehicle was not in motion at time. Sitting at stoplight heard a ping and then noticed crack across bottom of windshield affecting visibility. No other vehicles were near enough or in motion that debris could have been at fault.

Filed Jan 6, 2024 · Visibility · WA

Went to a daycare to do a tour at 9am, parked my car and was gone for about 30 minutes and when I came back, there was a large crack (8inches) that starts from the bottom of the middle windshield. There was no indent or nothing that could have caused this.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Visibility · 118,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front windshield had been replaced two times and the failure had reoccurred three times within the year. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the first two times the failure occurred. The contact stated each time the dealer replaced the windshield but could not determine the cause of the failure. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.