4.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,520 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Subaru Forester accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2017 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #101

Jan 212024

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Right side of windshield had a small crack. Illinois law can-??t drive with a cracked windshield. Called Subaru they don-??t fix windshield problems. Appointment at Safelite on 1/23/24 crack had gotten bigger they cannot repair now have to replace windshield. Appointment on 1/25/24 to replace windshield. No prior incident that would have led to this situation. Never owned a car where the windshield needed to be replaced.

- West Dundee, IL, USA

problem #100

Oct 132023

Forester

  • miles
I was at an event for about 3 hours and was parked next to a trailer. When I started driving there was a crack in the lower right hand of my windshield. The event was private and the trailer was not used. I am unsure where this crack came from and am very confused.

- Apo, NY, USA

problem #99

Jun 012023

Forester

  • miles
The rearview mirror detached from the windshield due to heat. When this happened, the metal button removed a chunk of glass from the windshield, so the surface is not able to be cleaned to reaffix the button that holds the mirror. The rearview mirror is currently dangling by the electrical cord. Note that nothing was hanging from the rearview mirror prior to this incident, so additional weight is not a factor in the incident.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #98

May 072023

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The windshield has failed without the vehicle suffering any collisions. The failure has led to the epoxy attaching the rear view mirror to detach with the glass from the windshield. Not only does the rear view mirror now hang from the electrical wire, the epoxy was able to remove a chunk of the glass. This has led to a significant safety issue as I-??m unable to use my rear view mirror to no fault of my own. It is available for inspection. No dealer or further inspection with my insurance company has occurred.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #97

Mar 082023

Forester

  • miles
The front windshield spontaneously cracked, beginning from the bottom of the windshield at the de-icer on the passenger side and propagated up and across the windshield toward the driver's side. No evidence of a strike or outside damage which caused the crack is evident. The obstruction to my view is hazardous on the roadway as the crack continues to spread. This issue has been well documented in Subaru vehicles, and was the subject of a class-action lawsuit in 2017 regarding 2016 model year Subaru Impreza's and Outback's.

- Columbus, OH, USA

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problem #96

Feb 092023

Forester

  • miles
Windshield cracked without reason, and happened while vehicle was not being driven. Within the span on one day, the crack doubled in size, in my line of vision. There are other chips in the windshield that have occured, and I have filled them quickly as to not do damage like this. However, this crack occurred seemingly overnight, without time to schedule a repair at all.

- Co Spgs, CO, USA

problem #95

May 012022

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The motor for the wiper fluid dispenser went bad. I took the vehicle back to be repaired and while they had the vehicle apart, I was informed that my entire wiring harness needed to be replaced. Now, my vehicle has sporadic issues such as windows not going down, the door locks engaging on their own, my fuel economy will suddenly drop to 19mpg from 28 mpg. Subaru initially stayed this was all due to the remote start I had installed at a retailer, this was after calling the dealership and they informed me that it was fine since my warranty had just expired. When I tried ro pursue something through the retailer, the dealership that had my vehicle denied saying that it was due to the remote start. So, I am stuck with a vehicle that has numerous problems, is not very safe and everyone says not my problem.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #94

Aug 262022

Forester

  • miles
The windshield cracked without anything happening. It started at the bottom and moved it's way up.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #93

Aug 242022

Forester

  • miles
Windshield cracked while being parked on driveway over the week. Car has not been driven for a week and has not been hit by anything prior, normal outdoor temperature 50-85F.

- Vestal , NY, USA

problem #92

Aug 022021

Forester

  • miles
The lower part of the windshield has cracked and I have no incident that occurred to cause it to crack. If a piece of gravel caused it, it was so small to not even be noticed by me. I have never had a windshield crack so easily in all my years of driving.

- Fort Calhoun, NE, USA

problem #91

Apr 042018

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2017 Subaru Forester that I bought brand new with only 5 miles on it at the time. Within the first year my battery needed replaced twice! I am still having this issue 5 years later and have purchased sometimes 2 batteries a year depending! The windshield also cracked within the first year I bought the car. I had it fixed and it cracked again this time not under warranty and the crack is in front of my eyesight sensor which makes my eyesight turn off which is very dangerous. I have seen MANY complaints on the windshield issue online with 2021 foresters. This is unacceptable. I am very unsatisfied with the company for not fixing this issue or making it right. I would not buy another Subaru or recommend anyone to buy one until they fix these problems.

- Glenwood , IA, USA

problem #90

Feb 282022

Forester

  • miles
Windshield fractured from the right wiper heater embedded into the windshield while the car was parked. The incident happened on 2/28/2022. The car is scheduled for a windshield replacement as it should not be driven.

- Princeton, IN, USA

problem #89

Feb 072022

Forester

  • miles
cracked front windshield for no known reason

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #88

Dec 172021

Forester

  • miles
Front Windshield has started cracking from the middle top by the rear view mirror and is steadily getting larger making it's way toward driver side of windshield, there is also a chip by the passenger side of windshield

- Chicago, Il, Usa, IL, USA

problem #87

Aug 012021

Forester

  • miles
Spontaneous windshield crack occurred while car was parked (i.e., no collision or pebble impact). Crack originates at lower portion of passenger side in black-colored perimeter of windshield glass with windshield deicer and spread upward and across middle of entire windshield. Crack obstructs driving visibility and poses risk to integrity of entire window including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning system calibration. No previous impacts to windshield. Suspect defect in windshield consistent with those found in 2015-2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy models related to materials used in deicer area of windshields in recent class action settlement against Subaru. Took to Subaru dealer who confirmed origin of crack in originates in deicer region of windshield, but denies any liability for weakened material at sight of deicer as determined for other models.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #86

May 232021

Forester

  • miles
Windshield cracked for no good reason and the crack extended to over 12 inches long in 2 weeks time.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #85

Jun 052021

Forester

  • miles
Without any cause I found a crack on my windshield on 6/5/ 2021. On the passenger side Starting at the base. A very clean long crack without any apparent impact. When My i parked my car in my parking on Friday 6/4 after work there was no crack on the windshield, when I got in my car on Saturday 6/5 morning I saw the crack about 12 -?? long. On Monday 6/7 when I got in my car to go to work, the crack was already about 2-?? in length.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #84

May 262021

Forester

  • miles
Cracked windshield

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #83

May 262021

Forester

  • miles
While driving on the highway around 65mph, the windshield was struck by a small piece of debris, no larger than a nickel in diameter. This initially produced a small crack at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, which quickly lengthened to over 12 inches over the course of the day. Especially under bright sunlight, the crack produces a sharp glare which significantly reduces driver visibility. When running my finger along the crack, I cannot feel any crack. There is no chip in the glass. The crack is internal to the windshield. (See photo included with this incident submission.) This seems to be a defect in the windshield quality that other Subaru Forester owners have also reported.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #82

Mar 082021

Forester

  • 55,000 miles
I have now replaced my windshield a second time in a 30-day period of time. I had my windshield break while I was driving down the road and did not see anything hit the windshield before this happened. As soon as I got it replaced, 3 days past and I woke up one morning to see that my windshield was broken again. Nothing hit the windshield either time and it just sporadically cracked. I'm dreading having to pay for the third replacement.

- Troy, ME, USA

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