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2025 Subaru Forester Wipers & Visibility Problems

16 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

16
Complaints
Jan 2025Nov 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (16)

highVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2026

Your 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid has a camera-based safety system called EyeSight that requires a clear windshield to work properly. After a minor star chip in your windshield, your insurance company may try to use aftermarket (non-OEM) glass instead of Subaru's original glass, but Subaru requires OEM glass to ensure the EyeSight system's critical safety features—like pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist—function correctly. Aftermarket glass could cause optical distortion that interferes with the camera calibration, potentially preventing these safety systems from working as designed. The windshield replacement will need to use OEM glass to maintain proper system performance and safety.

NHTSA #: 11725755
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2026

Your windshield developed a crack that started under the wiper blade and spread across to the passenger side within 12 hours. The dealer identified an impact spot under the wipers as the cause. You believe this type of damage shouldn't occur from normal wiper use based on your experience with other vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11717495
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2025

since new, driver side mirror becomes jiggly at hwy speeds, cannot focus on detail. Hard to focus on cars zooming up from behind

NHTSA #: 11688579
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that there were several dings and cracks on the front windshield of the vehicle. The contact stated that no objects had struck the windshield, and that the vehicle was mostly parked inside the garage. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA #: 11686819
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Aug 2025

A minor rock chip 4 weeks ago resulted in a cracked windshield with spider legs extending from the center point. My insurance carrier (USAA), two glass shops, and the Subaru service center said I should replace the windshield because the crack could extend at any moment without notice. They advised that this could compromise our safety due to obscured vision and the EyeSight system malfunctioning. Subaru parts, and the Subaru Customer Advocate departments, however advise that this part is back-ordered and there is no firm date when it will be available. It could be 6-8 weeks, or an undetermined time frame. I know that windshields are in fact available for I confirmed with Subaru dealers that this model Forester is continued to be produced on the assembly line in Gunma, Japan. All of the new vehicles have of course a windshield. The Subaru Customer Advocate department has refused to find out how to get a windshield shipped from the assembly plant to my dealer. This puts my wife and myself in continuous potential danger should the crack expand/shatter at any time.

NHTSA #: 11683016
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver's side mirror vibrated abnormally. The failure caused the reflection in the mirror to become distorted. The contact stated that while driving faster than 40 MPH, the vibration of the mirror increased. The contact stated that the Blind Spot warning operated as needed; however, the distortion of the mirror caused visual eye strain while looking into the mirror. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer three times, and the mirror was replaced on the first visit. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vibration reoccurred and was more pronounced. The contact stated that after the last visit to the dealer, a technician wedged two pieces of rubber into the mirror. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that there would be no further action taken. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA #: 11681931
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2025

Driver side mirror and rearview mirror vibrate, visibility affected - especially at night with vibrating headlights. Confirmed by dealer. Rearview mirror replaced and continues with same vibration issue (actually a little more vibration). Driver side mirror continues to be on back order. No warning lights or such - driver notices issue.

NHTSA #: 11671997
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

Driver side door rear view mirror vibrates at highway speeds (55mph and above) rendering it unusable due to distortion. This is especially dangerous at nighttime with headlights. Dealership is aware, has heard of it from multiple customers, but states no fix available from Subaru of America.

NHTSA #: 11662985
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off, the contact closed the front passenger’s door and the liftgate window exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,700.

NHTSA #: 11660986
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper blade speed adjuster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wiper blade speed adjuster was set for a slow intermittent speed, however the speed increased. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

NHTSA #: 11660018
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

The rear window spontaneously shattered. There was no extreme temperature or temperature change. The vehicle was parked when it happened. The entire rear window is gone to pieces.

NHTSA #: 11644338
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2025

Driver side exterior rear view mirror shakes/vibrates at highway speeds (65mph or higher) making it difficult to safely change lanes/view following traffic. The dealership inspected this and was able to replicate the issue, but said there is nothing they can be done / they’ve seen it before / it’s just how it is - “not that bad”. This is a dangerous defect and it needs to be fixed. It is especially a problem at nighttime.

NHTSA #: 11638917
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2025

I believe there are some issues related to the reliability of the windshield of this vehicle. My windshield cracked by itself from the bottom without hitting anything, which is similar to other complainant.

NHTSA #: 11634958
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2024

Driver's side mirror vibrates when driving at highway speeds on freeways; vibration is so bad that it makes the image blurry when using the mirror to change lanes

NHTSA #: 11627995
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2024

I believe there should be a windshield recall due to abnormally easy cracking. I purchased/took ownership of my 2025 Subaru Forester, Touring model, on September 3, 2024. The odometer was just 4 miles. Barely a month later I had 2 cracks in the windshield; the 1st happened on October 2, 2024 and the 2nd occurred on October 13, 2024. Both happened simply while driving on interstate roads and something hitting my windshield (nothing big, didn't see any object and didn't even hear the 2nd one, just noticed the crack when I got home) . Two different places on the windshield. It is now November 12, 2024 and I have still not had the windshield replaced because SafeLite is waiting for an OEM windshield (which is on backorder with no delivery date yet provided). I have had it parked since the 2nd incident. This is the 14th car I've owned and I have never had a cracked windshield before and I believe this must be a defective product!

NHTSA #: 11624677
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2024

I have noticed my new Suburu driver side mirror shakes during highway speeds and this causes cars and backgrounds to look blurry. I didn't notice this on my other mirrors. It makes it difficult to drive and is distracting.

NHTSA #: 11621041

Other 2025 Subaru Forester Issues