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Visibility & wipers

Subaru Ascent Visibility problems by year

207 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Ascent's visibility & wipers. Windshields, wipers, defrosters, mirrors, backup cameras and glare.

Visibility complaints by model year

YearVisibility complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20254000
202431000
20236000
20227000
202118000
202060000
201981000

Latest Ascent visibility complaints

2021 Subaru AscentVisibility & 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
2024 Subaru AscentTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

While pulling up to a drive thru window the vehicle shuddered and the engine shut off. I lost all power steering and had to come to a stop, shift into park, then restart the engine. No check engine lights or warnings illuminated. There were no status messages to indicate what caused it to shut off. Also the driver side mirror shakes a lot, just like all the other reports say.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11740740
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

I am a current lessee of a 2024 Subaru Ascent. I leased this vehicle starting July 27, 2024. My lease ends on July 27, 2027. I live 60 miles away from the dealership and only did a test drive around town. The minute I got on the freeway after leaving the dealership the night I leased the vehicle, I noticed the drivers side mirror heavily vibrated and I remember thinking how strange it was to have the headlights from the cars behind me look so shaky in the mirror. I took the car to the service department on August...

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9, 2024 where they logged a "driveability diagnostic" and "MPI." My reason for that appointment was the side mirror vibrations. It is bad during the day, but not as noticeable and very distracting when driving at night. I was told by the service member that they were "aware" of this issue and had seen it "a few other times." They "fixed" it but the vibrations continue to this day. I'm filing this complaint now as I have become aware of a class action lawsuit against Subaru for this very issue and I want to document my vehicle as one that was affected and ignored.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11740418
2020 Subaru AscentBody, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

Water intrusion occurred inside the vehicle, resulting in extensive mold contamination throughout the interior, including the seats, front and rear carpets, and a child's car seat. The source of the water intrusion has not been identified. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Subaru retailer, which confirmed in writing that water was present inside the vehicle and that mold was covering interior surfaces, including the child's car seat. The only diagnostic test performed was a car wash to check for a sunroof...

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leak, which did not replicate the issue. The retailer indicated that further diagnostic work would require significant interior disassembly and cleaning at the owner's expense before the source of the leak can be determined. The manufacturer was contacted regarding this issue and declined assistance, citing "lack of required maintenance." The specific maintenance and its relationship to the water intrusion have not been identified, and the source of the leak has not yet been diagnosed. The retailer also stated that technicians would not enter the vehicle due to the extent of the mold contamination. As a result, standard recall repairs have not been performed while the vehicle remains in this condition. A dealership technician also documented in a recorded inspection that water was present beneath the carpet, that the source of the leak could not be identified without further disassembly, and that the extent of mold contamination created an unsafe working environment. This condition creates a potential health and safety concern due to mold exposure inside the passenger cabin, particularly for a child occupant. In addition, excessive interior moisture has caused window fogging, which may impair visibility while driving. No warning lights or prior indicators were observed before the issue was discovered. The problem has been confirmed by a Subaru retailer. The vehicle remains available for inspection.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11728801
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

Driver's side mirror vibration on uneven road or at highway speeds makes visibility in mirror difficult. This has been the case since purchasing the vehicle in November 2024. Have had most recent Subaru service bulletin on mirror performed by dealer (on 8/8/25), but the problem remains.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11681000
2025 Subaru AscentBody, doors & structureVisibility & wipersDriver assistance

Driver side mirror vibrates making the view in the mirror blurry. The distorted picture causes confusion and safety hazard as it's very difficult to see in day and almost impossible at night. Vibrations are noticeable in the driver's side B pillar. According to the dealership, this is related to the car's frame, no further details were provided so far. Car has been in the service for almost two weeks due to this issue.

Filed Incident Structure · Visibility / wiper · Lane departureNHTSA 11677132
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

The windshield cracked right at the corner of where the defects have taken place on the previous year Ascents, which is not covered under the extended warranty.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11673578
2025 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

The drivers side mirror glass shakes while driving. Visibility in the mirror is extremely limited making it impossible to see vehicle approaching or to judge distance. After dark the mirror is useless.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11672621
2022 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

The front panel of the moonroof cracked from the inside without any impact or clear cause. I brought the vehicle to my local Subaru dealer, Troncalli, for inspection, but they were unable to determine why it happened. I purchased this vehicle for my wife and kids, and now there's a cracked piece of glass directly above their heads. After doing some research, I found that this appears to be a common issue, often attributed to temperature fluctuations or body flexing. It seems Subaru used the same thin glass on the...

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moonroof panels as they do on their windshields, which seems to be the problem. The vehicle is only three years old, yet Subaru has declined to cover the damage. I am hesitant to pay out of pocket to replace the panel, knowing the issue still exists on newer models, including the 2025s. My concern is that even after repair, it could easily happen again.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11672190
2025 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

No particular incident happened, but the driver's side view mirror vibrates when moving especially at high speeds and/or bumpy roads. Worse at night as when you look, headlights in rear are shaking and make me dizzy and not look. The passengers side is nice and stable. Doesn't vibrate and shake.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11668970
2023 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

The windshield on the 2023 is extremely susceptible to cracking easily. Chips turn to cracks within minutes

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11668559
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

The drivers side mirror has a constant vibration that causes visibility issues. Has done it since we bought it new.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11668200
2021 Subaru AscentVisibility & 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
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

Driver's side mirror vibrates when driving. Almost not usable when at highway speeds. Seems like Subaru does not have a fix for it.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11654734
2024 Subaru AscentVisibility & wipers

Driver side mirror shakes/vibrates excessively sometimes to the point of distorting images seen on the mirror. Many other users are reporting this issue with 2024 and 2025 Subaru Ascents. The issue has been there since the vehicle was purchased brand new. There are threads on reddit, facebook, and the Subaru Ascent forum, where many owners have reported this issue. Below is a link to a thread in the Subaru Ascent online forum. [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11649058

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

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