2017 Subaru Forester: Visibility/Wiper complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 104 owner complaints for the 2017 Subaru Forester that list the visibility/wiper component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11761040 (filed 08/31/2026): “I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when i noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. i didn’t hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather it was strange to have happened and i thought it had to be…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11681525 (filed 08/19/2025): “The car driven to work from 6:05 to 6:25am and parked in a parking lot. when my wife went out to eat lunch around noon, she noticed a crack running from the mirror to the bottom center of the windshield. upon further inspection we noticed the damage could be felt from the inside of the car, and was …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11633996 (filed 01/03/2025): “The air system has gone out in the car completely, you can hear it run or try to and then kick off, i have checked and it has not been recalled. there were no accidents prior to the air system giving out. it started around the june 2024, but it didn’t affect vision at that time. it started affecting…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Leaks can often be traced with a water test and resealed; glass replacement is a pro job. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
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