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Visibility & wipers

2021 Subaru Ascent Visibility problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2021 Subaru Ascent's visibility & wipers with NHTSA - 17% of all its complaints, most recently on October 14, 2026. Windshields, wipers, defrosters, mirrors, backup cameras and glare.

Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Visibility complaints

Visibility & wipers

I purchased a new 2021 Subaru Ascent in [redacted]. In [redacted], at about 36,000 miles, I discovered water leaking into the cabin through the panoramic moonroof during rain and brought it to Lynnes Subaru ([[redacted]]) immediately. Through repeat visits and recurrences, Lynnes failed to diagnose it, blaming clogged drains. In fall 2025 they identified it, with help from a Subaru corporate regional engineer, and performed a moonroof replacement. Because I acted quickly EACH TIME water entered, there was no odor...

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or upholstery damage at that time. Water intrusion continued in areas not visible inside the cabin (seatbelt recess). [[redacted]] and SOA knew right away water was still entering the vehicle. SOA told me to work with [[redacted]], and [[redacted]] had me wait for a loaner before re-examining it, because the water was not in the main cabin, headliner, etc. For over two months they set no start date, then stopped contacting me altogether. When warm weather arrived in spring 2026, a strong mold and mildew odor developed. I brought the vehicle in, loaner or not. [[redacted]] cleaned the drains and returned it in under two hours with the odor and mold unchanged. I was shocked they would allow, let alone instruct me to take possession of a vehicle that was a rolling biohazard! I fought with SOA to relocate the vehicle to [[redacted]] Subaru, a second Subaru dealer. [[redacted]] confirmed the water damage, mold, and improper prior work, including rear drain hoses pinched during [[redacted]]' reassembly. SOA authorized a goodwill repair: a second full moonroof replacement, completed around [redacted], replacing moonroof, drains, headliner and carpet. On [redacted], roughly five weeks after pickup, water intrusion recurred following ordinary rain, leaking into the driver-side A-pillar, and the vehicle went back to [[redacted]] immediately. The mold and mildew odor has never left the vehicle. Children regularly ride in this vehicle, which is currently at the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11771134
Visibility & wipersDriver assistance

I have a 2021 Subaru Ascent that falls under an extended warranty regarding the windshield due to a faulty windshield. My windshield has cracked, reduce visibility, and does not allow the forward collision warning to work properly. Subaru recognizes the faulty windshield and refuses to remedy the issue. I question the safety and integrity of this windshield to protect from normal road debris strikes, allow normal visibility, and the integrity of the lamination of the from windshield in the event of a collision.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiper · Lane departure · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11665178
Visibility & wipers

Second time windshield has cracked, not due to rock or debris chip, but from edge of windshield and either out or up. Crack continues to spread until replaced. It is dangerous to drive 1st Incident - December 2022 , crack in middle of windshield, spreading two directions 2nd Incident - May 3, 2024, crack from left side and out, contiunes to spead Pictures attached

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11587744
Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that while his wife was repositioning the rear-view mirror, the front windshield cracked without impact and extended approximately 7-inches. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11533494
Visibility & wipers

Windshield randomly became extremely hazy in one section to the point where Eyesight forward facing obstacle detection turned off. Cerium oxide rubbing compound was required to clear the haze enough for Eyesight to work again. Other sections have less significant haze. It appears to be hairline cracks in the outer layer of the windshield or the windshield scratches extremely easily without any obvious debris impacting it.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11525262
Visibility & wipers

Windshield started cracking and crack doubled in size within a few hours, we did not hear a rock chip the window and don't know where the crack came from. Car is available for inspection. This is a safety issue as it can impede the drivers clear view of the road. Will call dealer Monday to have windshield replaced. The windshield has not been inspected by manufacture or insurance. Did not see any warnings prior to failure.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11523043
Visibility & wipers

I noticed the windshield of my Ascent premium has thousands of millions of glaring specks/dots when facing the sunlight in early morning or late afternoon. The windshield becomes so blurry and extremely annoying. This happens only in early morning when facing the sun or late afternoon.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11489236
Visibility & wipers

Without anything noticeable hitting the windshield, it was fine on July 2nd 2022 and when I went to get in to drive the next morning there was a crack in the windshield.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11472510
Visibility & wipers

At 1 month old with 1,661 miles - the driver's side window started showing a cracked line that began to grow throughout the course of driving on a Saturday afternoon.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11440376
Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Ascent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact returned to the vehicle and noticed a crack on the windshield. The crack was on the lower driver's side of the windshield and moving upward. There was no impact to the windshield to cause the fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,141.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11435019
Visibility & wipers

Three chips have showed up on my windshield. I called the dealer when I saw it. They said all customers pay out of pocket. Then I recently saw that there is an issue with the windshields. That Subaru corporate is now taking care of the issue. I am looking for information to move forward with getting my windshield fixed. It happened a few months ago.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11428229
Visibility & wipers

On our first road trip in our new Ascent the windshield cracked. It rapidly spread about 18 inches. We heard no impact, saw no rock - just an ever spreading crack. We called a local Subaru dealer in Lexington, Kentucky who assured us the car was safe to drive home to Savannah. On the trip home we encountered a heavy rainstorm and noticed leakage at the crack. I am filing this after seeing the large number of Subaru owners reporting similar occurrences. We had just experienced another cracked windshield on a 2019 Subaru outback that we had repaired on 11 May 2021! There is something not quite right about this windshield in the Subarus.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11421951
Visibility & wipers

I purchased the vehicle Oct 2020. Since then the windshield has sustained 6 chips/cracks in the windshield. I found this to be unusual since I maybe have gotten 2 cracked windshields in 20+ years. I stared researching and found out this is an ongoing problem with Subaru windshields. I went to the dealer and was told they can do nothing about it. Appreciate any help.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11420130
Visibility & wipers

Crack appeared spidered across the windshield just within the 60 minutes of us leaving our car in mammoth cave state park information center parking lot on saturday. Such a tiny crack spidering like that is concerning to me especially coming from a 2015 subaru legacy that had the new windshield class action. We did not see that crack at any time before. This was purchased in the end of february.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11414989
Visibility & wipers

Windshield is cracking for no apparent reason, starting at the base of the driver side corner and spreading 2-5 inches per day. No impact point in windshield.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11398433
Visibility & wipers

The windshield of our new subaru ascent touring 2021 just cracked on its own only a couple of weeks after purchase. The crack is now about 10in and keeps getting longer((

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11389020
Visibility & wipers

Tl* the contact owns a owns a 2021 subaru ascent. The contact stated that while driving at mid level speed, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the windshield. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a crack had informed on the driver's side windshield right above frame. Over time, the crack extended from the driver's side to the middle right below the rear view mirror. The contact stated that the crack obstructed her vision while driving. The contact called sport subaru south (9951 orange blossom...

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trail, orlando, fl 32837) where they informed her that they were unable to service the vehicle. The contact also attempted to reach the manufacturer but she was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 360. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11387201
Visibility & wipers

Our windshield already has numerous chips and one crack that we repaired. We have only had this car since october but it seems like the windshield is very brittle. We have had some winter weather lately so there was excessive junk in the road and sand but our other vehicles have not had the same issues.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11386399

Subaru Ascent visibility complaints by year

Ascent visibility problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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