2023 Subaru Forester: Visibility/Wiper complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester that list the visibility/wiper component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11649212 (filed 03/19/2025): “Windshield developed a crack during a week with wild temperature swings. there was no incident leading up to the development of the crack that would have caused an initial chip or point of failure. the initial crack appeared during the day where the temperature went from the mid-60s to below freezin…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11590835 (filed 05/26/2024): “Rear windshield burst for no apparent reason in car less than one year old while car was stopped at a stop light. other traffic was also stopped around the car. there was no obvious cause (rock, etc.), plus the rear windshield appeared to shatter as much outward as it did inward. fortunately car…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11571264 (filed 02/11/2024): “Got a crack on the windshield after owning the vehicle for under 5 months. there was no apparent pebble/stone and one morning i just saw that there was a crack on the windshield. it was also active that means was growing with time. my dealer also said that it won't be covered under warranty. i us…”
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)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .