2025 Subaru Forester: Visibility/Wiper complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints for the 2025 Subaru Forester that list the visibility/wiper component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11754644 (filed 08/04/2026): “Two occurences of rear hatch window shattering spontaneously while vehicle was parked, powered off. no symptoms, warning lamps, or messages were present. first incident, six months after production/purchase, factory-installed window shattered spontaneously while owner was seated in the car, parked…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11725755 (filed 03/20/2026): “On march 12, 2026, my 2025 subaru forester hybrid, owned for less than 1 month at the time and purchased on 2/14/2026, sustained a star chip to the windshield during normal driving conditions. while the physical damage itself was minor, the vehicle is equipped with subaru eyesight, a camera-based ad…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11717495 (filed 02/12/2026): “Windshield crack started under windshield wiper and then within 12 hours spread from center of car to the passenger side. took it to dealer then said there was an impact spot under the wipers. based on other automobiles i have owned this should not have happened.…”
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 .