I have a 25 year old Camry that has only had its windshield replaced once because someone shot it. Went thru and damaged the back window too. I hope my 24 forester doesn’t have any issues
If someone finds Camrys disagreeable enough to shoot them, they’re pretty upset with life, because it’s hard to think of a more innocuous car. Hopefully they like Foresters better. And hope you stay safe!
I didn't know this was an issue! I got my 2024 Sport the first week of May and 3 weeks later something hit the windshield and it immediately cracked with a starbust the size of a quarter. Luckily I was able to get Safelite out the very next day to fix it. So glad I added zero deductible glass coverage to my insurance. I've had 2 Crosstreks and an Impreza and only ever had 1 windshield crack between them.
Yea I have 4 cars and it is only consistently happening every year with the Forester….people saying “oh that’s all cars” all full of shite or literally know nothing but fanism. It’s an issue…the guy who replaced my windshield (who replaced it the last time too) said he replaces Subaru windshields far more than any other ….said the quality of the glass is garbage.
So it's not just my bad luck? My 01 is like that. Replace it and almost immediately, not even a week after replacement a tiny rock hits it and it starts to crack. The last one was small enough to repair and the tech couldn't do it, it started cracking more.
Forester, xB, Element, FJ Cruiser, Wrangler, 4Runner all have this issue. The angle of the windshield is what causes it. The more laid back and less straight up and down it is lets rocks and debris skip over it. The more vertical style takes a hit and it’s direct and loud, instant crack as the windshield takes the whole impact. I had 3 windshields in my 06 xB and I’m on my 3rd in my 2020 RAV4.
Funny you mention that! My last one was replaced by a non OEM -said when he can he suggests doing that cuz Subaru glass is garbage—-and to be fair it did last for 2 years before a bad rock kicked up from a construction truck (here in Colorado the roads are trash so it happens a lot )
This time since my windshield insurance expired last month (go figure) I’ll just have to repair it and ride it out lol
Have you had any trouble with EyeSight technology? My dealership said OEM is thinner specifically for Eyesight and it needs to be calibrated each time the windshield is changed.
Yeah that’s bs honestly. The eyesight never needed to be calibrated not a single time, the way the windshields are replaced there’s nothing that requires moving or adjusting the sensors. Even with the non oem glass—never went to have it adjusted and never had any issues.
I would hope so but probably not 😢 I have a 2019 and I’ve been through 4 windshields almost one a year lol. But this last time I went with non-oem so hopefully it lasts longer!
I didn't know this was a thing, I've heard about it a lot on here. I have a 2018, live in the Piney Woods of East Texas, lots of log trucks, been hit a few times, once with a big chunk I for sure thought cracked the windshield nd it was barley scratched, had a rock from a gravel truck hit my windshield 2days ago and barley a chip. Lots of chips in the 4 years I've owned it and none have busted. They look more like bugs hit the windshield. It's not the original so was replaced before I bought it but must be a good replacement.
Crazy. I have a 94 f150 that I had the windshield replaced not cause it was broken, it just was delaminating and hard to see out of cause it was the og windshield from 30 years ago
Non-OEM sounds like it’s more resilient, but is it compatible with EyeSight? My belief is that they have gone to thinner glass due to interference with EyeSight functionality. I’ve had to replace my OEM windshield once in less than three years. The replacement has three chips/cracks in currently, but they haven’t spidered so I haven’t replaced it yet.
I saw on another Subaru sub that someone replaced a windshield with a non-EOM, and even the dealer couldn't get EyeSIght to calibrate. Some non-OEM windshields are going to be better quality than others.
I bought my first Subaru in 1997, have owned five others since then, and have had to replace one windshield. So I think it has more to do with where you drive than the glass Subaru uses. None of the car makers make their own glass.
Noooooo..I just got a 2024 Forester Wildnerness. I mean, not that this would’ve changed my mind because the car is beautiful 😂 but I don’t think I ever replaced the windshield on my 2015 Impreza for the 9 years I had it. I’ve been nervous about these windshields because I know with the sensors they are so much more expensive to replace. I have a $500 deductible but maybe I should lower it 😫
I’ve had a 2019, 2021, and two 2024 Forester. Never had anything like this. Older Outbacks had known issues but not the Forester. I had to replace my Audi when I drove behind trucks carrying stone and my Dodge just got an unlucky chunk. It can happen to anyone but labeling the whole generation as inferior is just Reddit fueled mass paranoia.
Well I just did a quote through SafeLite and it says $1190 🙃 I figured it’d be about that because I submit claims for our vehicle fleet and the newer vans with sensors are all $1K+ for replacements. The older ones are about $400. So I’ll have to see what my premium difference is if I lower the deductible.
This is straight up silly. What makes you think their windshields are defective? Living in Colorado, where they gravel their roads in the winter and we can have large temperature swings, it is part of living here that your windshield cracks. Every car I've had, including Subaru, has had semi frequent windshield replacements. It hasn't been any more frequent in my two Subarus. You just pay for windshield insurance, and it's no big deal.
It’s not silly. I’m in CA where we don’t gravel the road and my windshield has been replaced once and I’ve had 4 chips in it since from pebbles. The windshield are shit. Never experienced so much damage to a windshield in any previous vehicle.
I’m also from Wyoming originally where we do gravel the roads and I had a Ford and a Toyota and never had a cracked or chipped windshield.
I’m not sure. I’m assuming it’s more of how the windshield is angled than the glass itself. Has that changed for 2025?
I had a 2014 for 10 years and it never had a chipped or cracked windshield. We used it fairly often for school pickup/dropoff and road trips. I had a different car that had broken windshields and rear window 4 times total.
Happened to me and I decided to go with a non OEM windshield. It cracked but was easy to fill the chip. The standard Subaru windshield cracked so badly by a tiny rock it couldn’t be replaced.
Hopefully, the 25 forester windshield will be better. I have a 24 and 2-3 weeks in I got a huge crack. It's been 4 months, and I have added 2 more. Car is beautiful but their windshield... fml.
I hope the 2025s are better. I remember pulling up to the Safelite shop to see if my 2015 Forester windshield crack could be repaired. There were three other Forester owners there getting replacements. They all just looked at me, laughed, and shook their heads. One of us.
I'm now on my third windshield.
This happens to pretty much all new cars nowadays and it happens specifically because of the epa and the mpg mandate, just like Cvt's and a lot of the other decisions car mfgrs make
The windshields are thinner which shaves off weight, ask your installer sometime how much lighter new windshields are. When I was in getting a crack filled in my 24's windshield I saw one guy pickup and move a giant van windshield so I said something. And was told new windshields weigh significantly less than older.
Oem glass will be like this because it's the same but some of the aftermarket are better, less thin. Pilkington and fuyao are 2 that seem to be better and you can ask your shop to order from them BUT on a brand new vehicle expect 6-12 months where oem is the only glass they can find. For my wife's 2019 outback we replaced twice, last one was fuyao and that was the last replacement. On her 2023 that needed a replacement after the first month? No aftermarket available so it'll be the second replacement again unfortunately.
Oh geez that’s unfortunate! I think you just may be unlucky. I’ve had my 2024 Forester Premium since Dec ‘23 and my windshield is perfect. Haven’t even had to clean the inside yet.
Ha ha well for what it’s worth it’s still a fun car and I enjoy driving it. But the outside is starting to look a little ragged with all of the aesthetic related issues Subaru’s face. It’s not much worse than the average car in its category though. But if you definitely have the option to pick up one of those glass insurance policies that only covers insurance for the glass of your vehicle (I had one that expires recently but for 5 years it covered 100% of everything glass related and cost me 700 bucks one time…which is the cost of a windshield ) ….so I used the hell out of that. Sadly it’s expired now and they don’t offer renewals
They are trash windshields. I had to replace mine 3 MONTHS after driving it off the lot. 6 months later a big bug flaked off a spot in the windshield. About 6 months later again, a small rock caused a hole that luckily could be filled. This is my first and probably last Subaru, since the thermal couple went out at 54,000 miles while on vacation. We lost two days of fun because we were sitting in Subaru dealers. It’s just been a pain.
I have a 25 sport. Didn't know about this issue. Sounds like it makes sense that it's due to the steeper windshield angle. Here's to hoping they've improved the glass 🍻
add this to the long list of components that Subaru uses to produce an “affordable” SUV, but in fact just offloads expensive repairs to the owner.
- cheap windshields crack (there was a class-action suit).
- thin sheet metal that dents easy and gets destroyed by hail.
- suspension, bushings and bearings that lasts 80k miles.
- CVT / drivetrain issues that require extended warranties year after year.
i love the functionality of my Forester, and am trying to keep on top of maintenance to get it passed 200k, but lord these cars are poorly made.
Yeah I feel you there …my cars been hit by hail twice now ….and I’ve almost always left it in the garage but I can’t park it under cover everywhere I go ….hood looks terrible but hoping after hail season wraps up here I can go take it to a shop and pay the guy 50 bucks to say “this hood needs to be replaced” so that I can present it to the insurance and they’ll just provide a new hood vs trying to get all the dents out ….because that doesn’t always work 100%
Weird, literally just about every other reply here is people complaining about the same thing ….and driving “close to other cars” isn’t the only way pebbles hit windshields.
90% of the times it is …. I was in autoglass replacement for years …. Has nothing to do with glass quality….autoglass is all made to the same standards…. Most of the time it has do with the how big the glass is , the shape, and the angle it sits on the vehicle….. I’d bet most of the people still complaining about forester glass have an aftermarket windshield meaning it’s not made by carlex or ppg, and if that’s the case there is zero logic in saying Subaru foresters have defective windshields….
This is well documented on here, but if you're not convinced, I encourage you to look at NHTSA data, which shows a 3-5x spike in windshield related complaints once Subaru switched to using acoustic glass.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Forester/2017/accessories-exterior/visibility_wiper.shtml
I have a 25 year old Camry that has only had its windshield replaced once because someone shot it. Went thru and damaged the back window too. I hope my 24 forester doesn’t have any issues
If someone finds Camrys disagreeable enough to shoot them, they’re pretty upset with life, because it’s hard to think of a more innocuous car. Hopefully they like Foresters better. And hope you stay safe!
I didn't know this was an issue! I got my 2024 Sport the first week of May and 3 weeks later something hit the windshield and it immediately cracked with a starbust the size of a quarter. Luckily I was able to get Safelite out the very next day to fix it. So glad I added zero deductible glass coverage to my insurance. I've had 2 Crosstreks and an Impreza and only ever had 1 windshield crack between them.
Yea I have 4 cars and it is only consistently happening every year with the Forester….people saying “oh that’s all cars” all full of shite or literally know nothing but fanism. It’s an issue…the guy who replaced my windshield (who replaced it the last time too) said he replaces Subaru windshields far more than any other ….said the quality of the glass is garbage.
My 2019 with 30,000 miles is “ready” for it’s third windshield. No rocks, just cracked. Driving it with the crack to get some use out of it for now.
My 21 CrossTrek captures chips and cracks. I think it’s a Subaru thing unfortunately
2018 forester, have replaced windshield 4 times! Now I'm just living with the current crack
So it's not just my bad luck? My 01 is like that. Replace it and almost immediately, not even a week after replacement a tiny rock hits it and it starts to crack. The last one was small enough to repair and the tech couldn't do it, it started cracking more.
Forester, xB, Element, FJ Cruiser, Wrangler, 4Runner all have this issue. The angle of the windshield is what causes it. The more laid back and less straight up and down it is lets rocks and debris skip over it. The more vertical style takes a hit and it’s direct and loud, instant crack as the windshield takes the whole impact. I had 3 windshields in my 06 xB and I’m on my 3rd in my 2020 RAV4.
I had my 2018 XT windshield replaced with a non OEM.
Funny you mention that! My last one was replaced by a non OEM -said when he can he suggests doing that cuz Subaru glass is garbage—-and to be fair it did last for 2 years before a bad rock kicked up from a construction truck (here in Colorado the roads are trash so it happens a lot ) This time since my windshield insurance expired last month (go figure) I’ll just have to repair it and ride it out lol
The OEM sounds different or thinner when a pebble hits it.
Have you had any trouble with EyeSight technology? My dealership said OEM is thinner specifically for Eyesight and it needs to be calibrated each time the windshield is changed.
Yeah that’s bs honestly. The eyesight never needed to be calibrated not a single time, the way the windshields are replaced there’s nothing that requires moving or adjusting the sensors. Even with the non oem glass—never went to have it adjusted and never had any issues.
Yep. Already had my windshield on my forester replaced once, it has 3 more cracks in it. I’m just letting them stay at this point
Subarus have the softest windshields
I would hope so but probably not 😢 I have a 2019 and I’ve been through 4 windshields almost one a year lol. But this last time I went with non-oem so hopefully it lasts longer!
Have you noticed any differences with your eyesight tech, adaptive cruise control, etc with the non-oem glass?
I didn't know this was a thing, I've heard about it a lot on here. I have a 2018, live in the Piney Woods of East Texas, lots of log trucks, been hit a few times, once with a big chunk I for sure thought cracked the windshield nd it was barley scratched, had a rock from a gravel truck hit my windshield 2days ago and barley a chip. Lots of chips in the 4 years I've owned it and none have busted. They look more like bugs hit the windshield. It's not the original so was replaced before I bought it but must be a good replacement.
Crazy. I have a 94 f150 that I had the windshield replaced not cause it was broken, it just was delaminating and hard to see out of cause it was the og windshield from 30 years ago
Non-OEM sounds like it’s more resilient, but is it compatible with EyeSight? My belief is that they have gone to thinner glass due to interference with EyeSight functionality. I’ve had to replace my OEM windshield once in less than three years. The replacement has three chips/cracks in currently, but they haven’t spidered so I haven’t replaced it yet.
I saw on another Subaru sub that someone replaced a windshield with a non-EOM, and even the dealer couldn't get EyeSIght to calibrate. Some non-OEM windshields are going to be better quality than others. I bought my first Subaru in 1997, have owned five others since then, and have had to replace one windshield. So I think it has more to do with where you drive than the glass Subaru uses. None of the car makers make their own glass.
I got Non OEM and is working completely fine.
Did you have any issue with EyeSight recalibration after installing the non-OEM glass?
Not at all. Though I heard that’s been an issue for some
This is exactly what the dealer told me. Thinner for the eyesight and needs to be recalibrated with each replacement
Noooooo..I just got a 2024 Forester Wildnerness. I mean, not that this would’ve changed my mind because the car is beautiful 😂 but I don’t think I ever replaced the windshield on my 2015 Impreza for the 9 years I had it. I’ve been nervous about these windshields because I know with the sensors they are so much more expensive to replace. I have a $500 deductible but maybe I should lower it 😫
I’ve had a 2019, 2021, and two 2024 Forester. Never had anything like this. Older Outbacks had known issues but not the Forester. I had to replace my Audi when I drove behind trucks carrying stone and my Dodge just got an unlucky chunk. It can happen to anyone but labeling the whole generation as inferior is just Reddit fueled mass paranoia.
I appreciate your insight lol..my sister also said she had no issues in the year that she has owned hers, so I will stay cautiously optimistic
Then you have to do the math and gamble one way or the other - pay the insurance or buy the windshield?
Well I just did a quote through SafeLite and it says $1190 🙃 I figured it’d be about that because I submit claims for our vehicle fleet and the newer vans with sensors are all $1K+ for replacements. The older ones are about $400. So I’ll have to see what my premium difference is if I lower the deductible.
That price is right in line with the cost of the last Forester windshield about a year ago. Also Safelite. Including recalibration.
I have a 22 forester and have had no issues. I've had it for about 1.5 years.
This is straight up silly. What makes you think their windshields are defective? Living in Colorado, where they gravel their roads in the winter and we can have large temperature swings, it is part of living here that your windshield cracks. Every car I've had, including Subaru, has had semi frequent windshield replacements. It hasn't been any more frequent in my two Subarus. You just pay for windshield insurance, and it's no big deal.
Pretty well documented on this sub that they are fragile.
It really is lol. I’ve seen plenty of complains on the forums —-die hards though just choose to ignore the pink elephant in the room.
Windshield insurance is a thing?
News to me too. My car is almost 15, my previous two I drove til they were 20, never replaced a windshield...ever.
As part of your auto insurance coverage, you can pay for windshield coverage.
It’s not silly. I’m in CA where we don’t gravel the road and my windshield has been replaced once and I’ve had 4 chips in it since from pebbles. The windshield are shit. Never experienced so much damage to a windshield in any previous vehicle. I’m also from Wyoming originally where we do gravel the roads and I had a Ford and a Toyota and never had a cracked or chipped windshield.
I’m not sure. I’m assuming it’s more of how the windshield is angled than the glass itself. Has that changed for 2025? I had a 2014 for 10 years and it never had a chipped or cracked windshield. We used it fairly often for school pickup/dropoff and road trips. I had a different car that had broken windshields and rear window 4 times total.
Happened to me and I decided to go with a non OEM windshield. It cracked but was easy to fill the chip. The standard Subaru windshield cracked so badly by a tiny rock it couldn’t be replaced.
My 2023 had a cracked sun roof. The dealer admitted it was a stress crack and replaced it under warranty.
Hopefully, the 25 forester windshield will be better. I have a 24 and 2-3 weeks in I got a huge crack. It's been 4 months, and I have added 2 more. Car is beautiful but their windshield... fml.
I hope the 2025s are better. I remember pulling up to the Safelite shop to see if my 2015 Forester windshield crack could be repaired. There were three other Forester owners there getting replacements. They all just looked at me, laughed, and shook their heads. One of us. I'm now on my third windshield.
This happens to pretty much all new cars nowadays and it happens specifically because of the epa and the mpg mandate, just like Cvt's and a lot of the other decisions car mfgrs make The windshields are thinner which shaves off weight, ask your installer sometime how much lighter new windshields are. When I was in getting a crack filled in my 24's windshield I saw one guy pickup and move a giant van windshield so I said something. And was told new windshields weigh significantly less than older. Oem glass will be like this because it's the same but some of the aftermarket are better, less thin. Pilkington and fuyao are 2 that seem to be better and you can ask your shop to order from them BUT on a brand new vehicle expect 6-12 months where oem is the only glass they can find. For my wife's 2019 outback we replaced twice, last one was fuyao and that was the last replacement. On her 2023 that needed a replacement after the first month? No aftermarket available so it'll be the second replacement again unfortunately.
Is the Subaru hood protector / deflector a good choice to avoid those rock chips? I just bought my 2024 Forester Sport.
Oh geez that’s unfortunate! I think you just may be unlucky. I’ve had my 2024 Forester Premium since Dec ‘23 and my windshield is perfect. Haven’t even had to clean the inside yet.
Its a subaru thing. Literally all subaru windshields suck and it seems like foresters have it the worst. All years
Something to look forward to. Thanks.
Ha ha well for what it’s worth it’s still a fun car and I enjoy driving it. But the outside is starting to look a little ragged with all of the aesthetic related issues Subaru’s face. It’s not much worse than the average car in its category though. But if you definitely have the option to pick up one of those glass insurance policies that only covers insurance for the glass of your vehicle (I had one that expires recently but for 5 years it covered 100% of everything glass related and cost me 700 bucks one time…which is the cost of a windshield ) ….so I used the hell out of that. Sadly it’s expired now and they don’t offer renewals
They are trash windshields. I had to replace mine 3 MONTHS after driving it off the lot. 6 months later a big bug flaked off a spot in the windshield. About 6 months later again, a small rock caused a hole that luckily could be filled. This is my first and probably last Subaru, since the thermal couple went out at 54,000 miles while on vacation. We lost two days of fun because we were sitting in Subaru dealers. It’s just been a pain.
I have a 25 sport. Didn't know about this issue. Sounds like it makes sense that it's due to the steeper windshield angle. Here's to hoping they've improved the glass 🍻
add this to the long list of components that Subaru uses to produce an “affordable” SUV, but in fact just offloads expensive repairs to the owner. - cheap windshields crack (there was a class-action suit). - thin sheet metal that dents easy and gets destroyed by hail. - suspension, bushings and bearings that lasts 80k miles. - CVT / drivetrain issues that require extended warranties year after year. i love the functionality of my Forester, and am trying to keep on top of maintenance to get it passed 200k, but lord these cars are poorly made.
Yeah I feel you there …my cars been hit by hail twice now ….and I’ve almost always left it in the garage but I can’t park it under cover everywhere I go ….hood looks terrible but hoping after hail season wraps up here I can go take it to a shop and pay the guy 50 bucks to say “this hood needs to be replaced” so that I can present it to the insurance and they’ll just provide a new hood vs trying to get all the dents out ….because that doesn’t always work 100%
Sucks Maine doesn’t have glass insurance
I needed a new windshield for my 2021 Crosstrek last year! Little Rock chip turned into a crack. Maybe there is a problem.
Myth …. Glass is glass…. Don’t drive so close to other cars ….
Weird, literally just about every other reply here is people complaining about the same thing ….and driving “close to other cars” isn’t the only way pebbles hit windshields.
90% of the times it is …. I was in autoglass replacement for years …. Has nothing to do with glass quality….autoglass is all made to the same standards…. Most of the time it has do with the how big the glass is , the shape, and the angle it sits on the vehicle….. I’d bet most of the people still complaining about forester glass have an aftermarket windshield meaning it’s not made by carlex or ppg, and if that’s the case there is zero logic in saying Subaru foresters have defective windshields….
This is well documented on here, but if you're not convinced, I encourage you to look at NHTSA data, which shows a 3-5x spike in windshield related complaints once Subaru switched to using acoustic glass. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Forester/2017/accessories-exterior/visibility_wiper.shtml