Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Visibility & wipers
Subaru Forester Visibility problems by year
1,263 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester's visibility & wipers. Windshields, wipers, defrosters, mirrors, backup cameras and glare.
Visibility complaints by model year
Visibility recalls
Latest Forester visibility complaints
UPDATE TO EXISTING ODI 11761974 - 2026 Forester Wilderness - WRF-26 Power Moonroof Glass Adhesion Recall / 26V346000 Component/system failed: Power moonroof tracking assembly bonding area / roof panel paint. Available for inspection upon request, garaged, unrepaired with exposed bare metal. On 08/18/2026 at 3364 miles dealer completed WRF-26 recall and marked PASSED. On same repair order same day same dealer documented: "YELLOW FLUID COMING OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE OF SUNROOF CAUSING DAMAGE TO PAINT. DOWN TO BARE...
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METAL AT THIS TIME." Macro photos taken BEFORE that RO was opened on 08/18 at 07:35 AM show yellow/orange chemical extruding FROM UNDER black rubber tracking channel seal, not deposited on top. Fluid burned through factory clear coat to primer and bare steel. Photos on 08/15 show same leak path. Photo on 10/09 at 4605 miles shows bare metal still exposed with corrosion starting at edges. Safety risk: Chemical discharge from moonroof bonding area causes paint failure to bare metal on roof structure. Exposed steel will corrode. If factory bonding adhesive is failing and leaking, potential for moonroof glass adhesion failure per WRF-26. Has problem been reproduced/confirmed by dealer? Yes. Dealer documented coming OUT causing bare metal. Authorized collision estimate $1,830 - Body 9.8 hrs, Paint 5.3 hrs, Mechanical 2.4 hrs (sunroof R&I 1.5 + headliner R&I 3.6) for full roof strip + headliner drop + side-curtain airbag disassembly. Body shop advised spot repair will not hold and still requires removing sunroof assembly. Has vehicle/component been inspected by manufacturer? Yes. WRF-26 marked PASSED. On 10/01/26 service manager issued formal written refusal: "does not have an on-site body shop, and we are not able to perform or coordinate the alternative paint touch-up/mitigation process." Manufacturer case #260817-2301925 claimed wiped away before evaluation, unable to determine if moonroof or tree sap, external environmental, customer complaint not diagnosis,
I am experiencing a serious visibility defect in my 2026 Subaru Forester. When driving at night with headlights on, a dark curtain or shadow drops down over more than half of the windshield. This occurs consistently and severely reduces forward visibility. It is dangerous and makes it difficult to see road signs, street signs, vehicles up ahead, and orienting landmarks. My Subaru dealer test drove the vehicle at night and confirmed the problem. He stated that he "definitely saw the issue duplicated." (I have this...
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recorded in a voicemail he left me.) They attempted a minor adjustment, but the defect remains essentially unchanged. The dealer then told me "That's just how 2026 Subarus are," and refused further repair. (He did express openness to having a Subaru Field Service Engineer (FSE) inspect the vehicle, which I am interested in pursuing, but I wanted to establish a case with NHTSA and Subaru of America's Regional Case Management first, as I wasn't sure how much an FSE simply represented Subaru's, rather than the customer's, interest. I included a request for an FSE to Regional Case Management.) This appears to be related to the EyeSight camera housing, windshield lamination/coating, or internal reflections from the auto dimming mirror. The problem is not cosmetic - it is a major safety hazard that affects nighttime driving and could lead to a collision. I am requesting NHTSA review because the defect persists, the dealer acknowledges it but will not repair it, and Subaru customer service has been unreachable. This is a serious visibility obstruction that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate at night. My vehicle can certainly be available for inspection upon request. (Please note: this problem only reveals itself once it is dark outside.) There were no warning lights or messages prior to or during the failure.
While the vehicle was stationary and off, the rear windshield shattered and fell in the vehicle for the second time in just over 3 weeks.
I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when I noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. I didn't hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather It was strange to have happened and I thought it had to be a defective windshield. I looked to see if there were a recall and it was but not for the year but it was advised to submit a complaint with NHTSA. I had a windshield inspect from Safelite and the windshield company that I used to replace the windshield and calibrate it. I spent a total of $620 in repairs
I closed the driver's door, and the rear windshield shattered and collapsed into the vehicle. No known defects were known prior to the incident. Animals or contents in the rear compartment could have been cut by the shattered glass. The vehicle is only 4 months old. The rear windshield will be replaced by an independent glass company. We live in a very rural area, and park well away from the road. There were no storms since the previous use of the vehicle. Thus, no damage prior to the glass shattering.
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, and engine turned off. Second incident, two months later, OEE replacement window shattered while vehicle was parked, powered off, unattended. Currently having third window installed by dealer and submitting report to Subaru of America.
In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). Then, May 30th as I exited a highway midway up the ramp going ~40-45 mph behind another auto going the same slow speed with 1-1.5 car length between us, something struck my windshield and immediately the strike had clearly...
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broken the windshield just below the driver's direct line of sight and put a thorough 'star' the size of a nickel coin. There did not appear to be any debris on the road nor off or out of the auto in front of me. (There was not a vehicle ahead of that auto that would have generated this strike.) I feel I may be unsafe in this auto if its windshield cannot hold up under minor strikes such as this. When I called the auto repair center recommended by my automobile dealer they told me they'd already had 14 Subaru windshields call to schedule repairs this week (it was only Tuesday. This is a modest sized single location windshield repair shop).
Drivers side mirror vibrates making changing lanes a Safty issue as the approaching vehicle is not a clear visual to operator
I was working on fitting a cargo box on the crossbars the dealer had recently installed and noticed a milky white discoloration and moisture in the front driver's corner of the moonroof. I arranged for an appointment at the dealer who confirmed the glass had delaminated. They happened to have a replacement in stock and replaced it under warranty.
On the first day of receiving the car the windshield looked clear by day but it had little specks and lines like dust when driven at dusk and night of the first day it was driven. I brought it back to the dealer, they replaced it with a new one, and the problem persists. A clear windshield is much safer than one with specks.
The air conditioning system of my 2017 Subaru Forrester suddenly went out without warning. I noticed a defect when the A/C started buzzing with a high pitched sound and blowing semi-warm air instead of cool. I took my auto to a car repair shop. He provided this diagnostic analysis: Normal coolant level in the system. Performed Leak Detection Test- no detectable leak found at this time. A/C system pressures are too high on both pressure ports. A/C compressor has an internal noise. System is clogged. Ventilation...
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interior cabin filter inspected and given a check at 24, 027 miles. Inspected , removed and replaced engine and cabin air filters at 41,600 miles. Inspected and removed and replaced engine and cabin air filters at 56,375. There are no other A/C related inspection or maintenance requirements to be accomplished (reference Subaru Forrester Maintenance/ Automation Subaru Arapahoe.My vehicle currently has 64,695 miles. My mechanic is currently working up an estimate for the A/C condenser, clutch, pump replacement... essentially the entire system. I consider this a latent defect and wish to be compensated for the repairs. Due to the weather, I wish to have the repairs accomplished and then be reimbursed. I have read articles on line stating this defect has become commonplace for 2017 and 2018 Subaru Forresters. This should be a recall item.
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 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that relies on precise optical clarity through the windshield. I'm now required to have the windshield replaced, because the manufacturer and dealer requires it. According to both...
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Subaru and the vehicle's owner's manual (page 15), windshield replacement must be performed using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass to ensure proper calibration and safe operation of the EyeSight system. My insurance provider is attempting to authorize the use of aftermarket (non-OEM) windshield glass despite this. This presents a serious safety concern. The EyeSight system controls or assists with critical safety functions including pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. Aftermarket glass can introduce optical distortion or variation that can interfere with camera calibration and system performance. Using non-OEM glass in a vehicle designed around camera-based safety systems creates a risk that these features may not function as intended, potentially increasing the likelihood of a crash. This directly impacts federally recognized vehicle safety systems. There appears to be a gap between manufacturer safety requirements and insurance replacement practices. Consumers are being placed in a position where cost-saving measures may override safety-critical specifications. I'm requesting that NHTSA open a formal safety investigation into the use of non-OEM (aftermarket) windshields in vehicles equipped with camera-based ADAS systems. I further request that NHTSA establish clear regulatory guidance or requirements ensuring that windshield replacements follow manufacturer specifications, including the use of OEM glass.
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.
I was driving along and noticed my windshield was cracked on the passenger side. The crack is vertical from the bottom of the windshield to about halfway up. It was fine the day before. No rocks, etc struck my windshield. I understand that Subaru has had issues with windshields cracking for no reason.
4 Subarus and this is my 5th spontainious windshield crack (2nd on this vehicle).
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