Subaru Forester Windshield Cracks

I've never posted to a message board, but this one helped me immensely this morning, so I feel the need to pass on the advice. I've had my 2011 Subaru Forester for a little over a year. I heard a loud pop on my window last Friday and scanned my windshield for visible evidence of a chip because of how loud the sound was. Then on Saturday I noticed a huge chip up behind my rear-view mirror and a crack that had now spidered with the main crack spreading about a third of the way down the middle of my windshield. Thankfully, my auto insurance policy covers glass so I'm having a local glass vendor replace my windshield with an after-market version (windshield will be heated/tinted the same way). I would have had to wait a few days to get the manufacturer's version, which I'm now realizing would probably have me back in the same situation in another year. I'll report back good or bad about the after-market windshield. Stay tuned.

Replies to this message:

xwesx (Sep 17, 2012 10:09 am)

#52 of 64 Re: Windshield chip to crack in 2011 Forester [editorlady] by xwesx

Sep 17, 2012 (10:09 am)

Replying to: editorlady (Sep 17, 2012 6:11 am)

Thanks! I'd certainly like to know. OEM is junk, I think, on these. I haven't replaced mine yet, but the whole bottom is cracked up on it, along with a full vertical on the passenger side. Every chip results in a crack.

#53 of 64 Subaru Windshields seem to be soft. by keg_o_rasta

Feb 18, 2013 (6:31 pm)

I replaced the windshield on my 2004 Forester 2x in 177K for pitting.
I just noticed that the windshield in my 2013 Forester is showing pitting at just 7500 miles.

It seems these windshields are prone to pitting. Are they soft of just cheap?

Replies to this message:

xwesx (Feb 18, 2013 6:37 pm)
- ateixeira (Feb 19, 2013 10:03 am)
  - xwesx (Feb 19, 2013 10:45 am)

#54 of 64 Re: Subaru Windshields seem to be soft. [keg_o_rasta] by xwesx

Feb 18, 2013 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: keg_o_rasta (Feb 18, 2013 6:31 pm)

I guess the only way I can describe it is... brittle glass. Your pitting will likely be cracking before you finish your next 7500.

I put 220,000 on my 1996 Outback, and it had nary a crack in it, even with 23 (if I recall correctly) noticeable chips.

Replies to this message:

ateixeira (Feb 19, 2013 10:03 am)
- xwesx (Feb 19, 2013 10:45 am)

#55 of 64 Re: Subaru Windshields seem to be soft. [xwesx] by ateixeira

Feb 19, 2013 (10:03 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Feb 18, 2013 6:37 pm)

The upright angle doesn't help.

Our Subies have been OK. The 626 we owned broke twice.

Replies to this message:

xwesx (Feb 19, 2013 10:45 am)

#56 of 64 Re: Subaru Windshields seem to be soft. [ateixeira] by xwesx

Feb 19, 2013 (10:45 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2013 10:03 am)

Probably not, but that still doesn't forgive the poor quality. My '69 C20 has a far more upright windshield than my Forester, its glass is 44 years old, and it still doesn't have a crack. It has two, yes only TWO chips in it, and those were from some big stones. Heck, if a rock that big hit the Forester, it'd probably come straight on through.

With nearly twice as many miles, I just don't see how what's happening to the Forester windshield can be pinpointed to anything other than poor quality.

#57 of 64 Re: As predicted... [dstew1] by jjjolicoeur

Mar 25, 2013 (8:03 am)

Replying to: dstew1 (Mar 14, 2006 5:11 pm)

We have two new outbacks that had the same problem with our windshields The windshield cracked in a cresent shape across the lower length of the whole windshield. We bought three Subarus in Jan of 2012 and two of them cracked exactly the same way. We were just sitting in the car not even moving when there was a loud pop and there was the crack. There was no rock damage, they just cracked. We have seen this same crack on other outbacks on the road and the sales manager who sold us the cars admitted to me that this is a problem that they are aware of but yet we cant get them to cover the replacement under warranty.

Replies to this message:

jimmiethemum (Apr 08, 2013 9:22 am)
- xwesx (Apr 08, 2013 10:24 am)
  - garotabrasil (Apr 20, 2013 3:54 pm) and 2 more...

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