Wiper problems of the 2018 Subaru Forester - part 1

135 problems related to wiper have been reported for the 2018 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2018 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2018 Forester.

1 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2025

Unknown.

2 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2025

Windshield cracked sitting parked matching Subaru TSB 12-192-15r except model of vehicle and Subaru stating not covered under the class action warranty extension.

3 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2025

Windshield cracked starting in the black area under the driver's windshield wiper. Car was idling at a drive through, wipers were on. Note: car had fewer than 22,500k miles at the time, was likely around 22,485+. The crack continued to climb to the top edge of the window as my car sat on the driveway.

4 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2024

A few days ago, a crack suddenly appeared in the windshield. It appeared when the car was parked in the garage. I reached out to Subaru and they wanted me to take it to dealtership and get pictures taken. So, I complied and pictures were taken. The cause was given as a less than a mm speckk hitting about 1 inch or so above from dash. Area where glass is supposed to be strongest. I repeat, the cause was less than a mm sized dust particle. The vehicle was driven on paved roads, within city at a max speed of 60 miles per hour. My concen is that when such a small speck can cause a crack, what is to say a 5 mm particle will not blow the windshield on my face. This is a serious quality concern and I am afraid to drive Subaru with Subaru parts in it. All while it is advertised as rugged off road vehicle. After reading through forums, it was found that a lot of folks have had this issue and Subaru has had recalls on some vehicles for the same quality of windshield issue. The response from Subaru was that they make thin glass because of eyesight technology. Either ways, Subaru has compromised on quality to add a piece of technology. Compromise that could shatter the windshield while driving on highways causing accident or worse. I will be happy to provide pictures and communication with Subaru if needed.

5 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/30/2023

We are on our 4th windshield with this vehicle and just got a crack overnight on it, nothing that we could tell hit it. 1 other time this has happened where it randomly cracked. The first two were rock strikes but nothing out of the ordinary, I've had much harder hits to my 2011 wrx with no issue, not even a chip. A smaller than golf ball sized rock hit the passenger side of the windshield the 2nd break and glass came into the vehicle all over the dash. Glass repair place said they see Subarus with the eyesight the most of any vehicle type.

6 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2023

Went out in the morning to get in my car and noticed the windshield was a crack that starts close to bottom of windshield on passengers side and goes up and across about half of the windshield. I have not noticed anything else wrong with the windshield. It literally cracked while sitting in the driveway. There were no rock pecks or anything that I had observed prior to this happening.

7 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/31/2023

2018 Forester: front windshield. Second crack in windshield in 14 months. First crack: a minor rock strike caused small crack in windshield, within several days, spider web of cracks evolved from initial small impact. Windshield was examined and replaced at Subaru dealership: cost: $1674. 00. (02/25/22). (including eye sight system as needed) second strike: 03/31/2023: same scenario, small impact on highway, crack is now 17" across middle of windshield.

8 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2023

Windshield crack developed in July of 2022 on the passenger side of the vehicle. The small crack grew large within a day, covering half the windshield. This crack developed out of nowhere - no items had hit the windshield. In January of 2023, less than a year later, a crack developed again in the exact same location. The crack again spread across half the windshield.

9 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2022

Windshield broke while sitting parked. Was not impacted by flying objects. Had to replace out of pocket.

10 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2022

Unanticipated windshield crack: while attempting to replace the right wiper blade, I lost handling it, with the old blade still in place. No obvious damage was noticed at the time. I took the car to the local Subaru dealership to successfully replace the wiper blades. Returning home I noticed the beginning of the crack. In disgust, I didn’t return to that shop, but waited until the next oil change to have the original dealership examine. No responsibility was assessed but an estimate of $1,333 was offered for replacement and recalibration of eyesight. I don’t have windshield replacement coverage. I’m looking for other replacement options. The damaged windshield is available for professional inspection at this time.

11 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2022

Our windshield cracked again to the edge. This is the third time it’s cracked and will be our fourth windshield on a 2018 model year car.

12 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 07/03/2022

The windshield cracks after being struck by minor objects. The windshield does not chip when struck with objects. One crack appeared without being struck by an object. It showed up from the bottom of the windshield is growing.

13 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 06/28/2022

Our windshield has had to been replaced 4 times! it randomly gets cracks while sitting in the driveway. Why is this happening?.

14 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/29/2022

I was driving the car and the windshield spontaneously cracked.

15 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/22/2022

My wife's 2018 Subaru Forester was sitting in our driveway and the windshield cracked on its own. Little while later, the crack got bigger. The crack alone should be a safety issue but it also affects the safety features with the camera system and eyesight technology. I'm told this is a common issue Subaru is aware of but they tell me it is not covered.

16 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/17/2022

I found the windshield cracked for no reason.

17 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2022

My 2018 Subaru Forester limited has a cracked windshield from a minor impact from a pebble. The crack has grown and I had to replace the windshield at my own expense. The crack was on the passenger side but interfered with visibility.

18 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2022

Hi, I came home. Parked in my carport on a moderately cool morning. Three hours later I came out and there was a huge crack up the center of my windshield around 10” long.

19 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2022

On January 15, 2020, a very cold morning, I discovered a crack in my 2018 Subaru Forester windshield. Upon further research, I also discovered this issue with spontaneous windshield cracking was an ongoing problem, found in Subaru's in the 2016 thru 2020 issue years. I took my Forester to my local Subaru dealer to inquire about the process to have Subaru repair my windshield under warranty. I was told by the service manager that there were no technical bulletins regarding the repair of windshields under warranty. This is a safety issue because this crack has now increased in size to half way across the windshield.

20 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2022

Temperature dropped to -20 and large crack randomly appeared on driver side windshield. This crack has caused the eyesight safety feature to not work meaning I don’t have lane departure warning or forward collision warning. Informed my warranty does not cover the windshield repair or required camera recalibration.

21 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/24/2021

Windshield easily getting chips and pits affecting visibility and now a crack from, a small pebble.

22 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2021

Hello, I am writing to report an incident of a cracked windshield while driving on highway 5 in los angeles, CA. I have owned this vehicle for about 6 months. The vehicle is available for inspection and I have attached the photos for review. The windshield has been inspected by a Subaru dealership who states they cannot repair or replace the windshield. The dealership suggested filing a claim with NHTSA and visiting their partner, safelite autoglass. A Subaru dealer and partner, safelite autoglass, both confirmed that Subaru's defective or weak/brittle windshield is a known and common issue. The windshield malfunction appears to be a recurring problem across several models nation-wide with a lawsuit pending: https://bergermontague. Com/cases/Subaru-windshield-cracking/. Furthermore, this commonly known issue was not prefaced during contract reviews and Subaru warranty does not cover the damages. The windshield issues was not highlighted or recommended for coverage when purchasing insurance. Safelite autoglass offered to replace the windshield with the original glass and confirms we do not have the option of choosing stronger or better quality windshield options. Continuously replacing a poor product with the same poor product could be dangerous if this continues to occur especially in the event it blocks visibility. Additionally the frequency of the problem will be burdensome especially since this car was purchased specifically to drive in harsh weather conditions. There was no warning, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to this occurring. If Subaru produces weak windshields it should be a service covered under all warranties and/or offer better repair/replacement options.

23 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 10/09/2021

On 10/9/2021the front windshield was hit by a small rock on the lower left driver's side and a crack developed within a few minutes. The crack grew and obstructed the driver's field of vision. This required the entire windshield being replaced. This was done by safelite autoglass on 9/13/2021 at my residence. It was paid by my insurance and I paid a $100 deductible. In addition the replacement windshield was damaged by another small rock hitting it on i71 north near louisville ky. This time the damage was limited to a bulls eye fracture. This was repaired by myself using a rainx windshield repair kit. The windshield seems very fragile and prone to be damaged easily as both "rock his" did not seem that bad and should not have caused damage. I found after this repair that there are additional complaints and a class action lawsuit for similar problems with this vehicle.

24 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2021

Second time windshield had to be replaced from cracking after sustaining small rock chip.

25 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2021

Windsheild cracked on passenger side for no reason.

26 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2021

My windshield appeared to crack for no reason. The crack randomly appeared one day without a corresponding incident (no previous chips/crack in that area and nothing hitting my windshield). The crack began on the edge of the windshield in the upper corner on the passenger side and has continued to spread. There is no mark or indication in that area that the windshield was hit. The dealership mentioned when I purchased the car that I should get the windshield warranty due to an excessive amount of windshield cracking in my area. They claimed Subaru even did an investigation into Subaru vehicles in michigan due to the high windshield replacement rate. It appears to be a defective windshield that the company is aware of and not recalling. The crack has spread across 80% of the windshield at eye level. It must be replaced for safety reasons but Subaru says this is over $1,000 as they have to calibrate it.

27 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2021

The windshield cracked over half way across due to no apparent reason. Noticed it in the morning after vehicle had been parked in a protected area. The crack continued to get bigger over the next day and now covers over half of the windshield.

28 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/21/2021

Changing wipers blades. Blade hit passenger side windshield and creates a 12 inch crack. Windshield had to be replaced.

29 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2021

Windshield has cracked while vehicle was at idle for no reason and no imapct.

30 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/22/2021

In under two years, I have had to replace the windshield on my vehicle twice. The first time, a rock hit my windshield which caused a very small chip. The following afternoon, the chip had become a large crack the came down from the top of the windshield nearly halfway down the windshield. I paid the extra money to replace the windshield with oem glass. More recently (less than 1. 5 years later), the wiper blades on my windshield were replaced. The one wiper blade would not let go and the blade came back down on the windshield with the spring. No marks were observed in the windshield. The following afternoon, a crack came up from the blade and ran across nearly 1/3 of the windshield. The date recorded is for the second incident.

31 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/15/2021

I have had to replace the windshield of my 2018 Subaru Forester (purchased new) two times in less than 3 years due to (minor) rock strikes (highway driving) in the lower quarter of the windshield. I now have a third cracked windshield. I have been driving for 45 years and I don't believe I have ever had to replace a windshield until I bought this car! I have read that this is not an isolated incident with Subarus and that one lawsuit was settled and that 1-2 additional lawsuits, involving 2017-2019 Foresters are pending.

32 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2021

While leaving for work this morning, I noticed a crack on my windshield on the lower passenger side, right above the front speaker. It appears the crack is only on the inside and is not caused by any outside damage or force.

33 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/11/2021

Windshield cracked with no causing damage. Short crack in motion that grew over several nights while parked. The brake pedal went to the floor while stopped at a light. Had towed to the dealer.

34 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 04/07/2021

Windshield upper passenger side is cracked approx 12" overnight for no apparent reason. It was parked stationary in a covered garage.

35 Wiper problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2021

Have had my 2018 Subaru Forester for almost 4 years now and it has approx. 29855 miles. Before the crack appeared I had no damage to my windshield. While driving down the interstate, I heard a a slight pop almost like a bottle dent popping out because of carbonation at the time their were no other vehicles traveling in my vicinity, shortly after hearing the noise my passenger noticed the crack.


Other Visibility related problems of the 2018 Subaru Forester


Forester Service Bulletins
Forester Safety Recalls
Forester Defect Investigations