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Subaru Forester Windshield Cracks

64 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2013 at 10:11 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Auto Repair, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 8

#13 of 64 Re: As predicted... [pretzelb] by subearu

Apr 19, 2006 (7:37 am)

Replying to: pretzelb (Apr 19, 2006 6:32 am)
If there was a problem, then every Forester windshield would be breaking (or there'd be more reports of them breaking), and that is not the case. The Forester windshield is fairly vertical, so it much like other fairly vertical windshields will be subject to more debris that can cause cracks.
 
-Brian

#14 of 64 try increasing your distance from cars in front of you by jeqq

Mar 15, 2006 (9:38 am)

especially trucks and motorcycles. Those guys are usually the worst offenders.

#15 of 64 Windshield by ateixeira

Mar 16, 2006 (12:39 pm)

Bummer, but my guess it's a combination of:
 
* the Forester sitting relatively low
* an upright windshield
* bad luck
 
Mine is still original, almost 9 years old. Knock on wood.
 
-juice

#16 of 64 Re: Windshield [ateixeira] by dstew1

Mar 16, 2006 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 16, 2006 12:39 pm)
I think you're right, Juice. The angry villagers hurling stones at me certainly isn't helping, though...

#17 of 64 Re: As predicted... by jtm4

Mar 17, 2006 (8:13 am)

We've had our '98 Forester for almost eight years, over 100k, with very few problems. Two weeks after we bought the Forester the windshield cracked. I had it replaced with a PPG windshield and haven't had a problem since. I've heard different theories as to why the Forester windshields are more susceptible to cracking...bug guards, angle of windshield, etc. If it was the windshield angle you would think we would have had another issue since the replacement. We used to have a bug guard but don't use one anymore. By the way, if anyone needs a bug guard for a '98 Forester let me know.
 
Jim

#18 of 64 Windshield by ateixeira

Mar 17, 2006 (9:07 am)

The irony is that we have had three windshields crack - but it was never my Forester.
 
My wife's 626 went through 2 of them. We replaced the original, then the new one cracked. We sold it and gave a credit to the buyer to replace it. The original was Carlex and the replacement was PPG, so that didn't make any difference.
 
Our Legacy has a crack now, too, and that's a Carlex.
 
I think she follows too closely!
 
-juice

#19 of 64 Cracked Windshield by higwenhi

Apr 03, 2009 (7:51 pm)

This is a very interesting forum. I have a 2006 Forester--I got a small chip on the lower driver side window from a rock thrown by a car--very small. This was soon after buying it. Today I was driving on the freeway and heard a noise--you guessed it--another rock spewed by either one of the two mid-size trucks ahead of me (in the slow lane yet!). I now have a 7" crack on the lower passenger side front window. Went right to my insurance man and having this fixed soon--I have NEVER in all my years had a cracked windshield, and now I have two chips/cracks. I bought the Forester for safety!

#20 of 64 Re: Cracked Windshield [higwenhi] by xwesx

Apr 08, 2009 (9:38 am)

Replying to: higwenhi (Apr 03, 2009 7:51 pm)
Interesting. I have owned three Subarus (96, 07, 08) and while rock chips are an almost daily occurrence here, non of the chips ever developed cracks. My cars were never garaged, which does reduce the likelihood that the chips will form cracks, but the development of cracks mostly depends on the stresses on the windshield. chips near the edges will tend to crack easier than those in the middle. The size of the object and force of the impact will affect the chances of cracking, etc.
 
It sounds to me like the windshield did its job just fine. When you start getting pelted in the face with rocks, then you have a serious problem with your windshield....

#21 of 64 Re: Cracked Windshield [higwenhi] by ateixeira

Apr 10, 2009 (8:53 am)

Replying to: higwenhi (Apr 03, 2009 7:51 pm)
Well, at least you got the 2nd crack before you replaced it. Imagine if you had replaced it and then got the crack on the brand new windshield.
 
Make sure you're not following the car in front of you too closely, as this has happened twice. Even if the rock doesn't crack the windshield, it could scratch your paint or damage your radiator.
 
I suggest a 2+ second following distance, no matter the speed.

#22 of 64 Re: Cracked Windshield [ateixeira] by p0926

Apr 10, 2009 (11:11 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 10, 2009 8:53 am)
I've got 3 chips in my 04's windshield (plus numerous pits & scratches). I just drove it across country and was half hoping for it to get hit by something big enough to cause a crack so I'd have an excuse to replace it However, I heard recently that if you had multiple chips the Insurance company will replace rather than repair. Anybody else heard that?
 
-Frank

Messages Page 3 of 8

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