We have had the same issue with our 2017 Forester Touring that we bought new in May 2017. In Jun 2018, we experienced the third windshield crack by a strike so small we didn't hear anything, just saw the crack as it appeared and spread about 12". I have read up on the failed Subaru windshield redesign of the Forester for 2017, called an ‘Acoustic’ windshield, it was designed to cut down on cabin noise and also to reduce weight, but actually appears to increase the occurrence of cracks versus chips, because the windshields are made using two thin pieces of glass with a laminate in between. The thinner glass on the outside cracks rather than chips requiring replacement rather than repair. Subaru of America (SoA) will not acknowledge there is a problem and therefore, as far as I know, is not working to correct the (non) problem. I have owned 19 cars in over 50 years of driving; I have only replaced one windshield on a 1997 Volvo because of an "excessive number of chip repairs" (not a crack) before buying this Forester. It has been a month since our windshield cracked and it is still not replaced. I tried to replace it on the trip on which it occurred, but an OEM windshield was not available (Subaru of America denies there was/is a shortage of windshields), but I verified the shortage in Richmond, VA with two sources. Once I returned home I took the car to the dealer where I bought it and petitioned to get SoA to replace the windshield but as others have noted on this thread, Subaru claims no responsibility if the crack was caused by “foreign debris” (rock) regardless of the fact that it is their failed design that leads to an abnormal rate of crack damage. An automaker that claims replacing a windshield every 8000 miles (in my case) is normal, is not an automaker to be trusted. In my opinion, Subaru should: 1) acknowledge there is a problem with their windshield design, 2) immediately attack this engineering issue with the objective of a 'counter' redesign of the windshield to normalize its life expectancy, 3) replace any affected windshield under warranty pending redesign, then once a solution is determined, 4) issue a recall of all affected vehicles to replace remaining faulty windshields. Unfortunately, I don’t think we should hold our breath for Subaru to do the right thing and so I am adopting my own policy regarding this problem; that is, I won’t replace a cracked windshield unless and until it becomes a distraction to my vision or EyeSight’s function, extends from one edge to another, or a second crack occurs (which I know will happen). Additionally, beginning with my current replacement, I will replace with AS1 aftermarket non ‘Acoustic’ windshield. I will also continue to pass on my experience with Subaru to friends and family as I did on the trip that the current damage occurred. As a result, my son in VA is reconsidering his plan to purchase a new Crosstrek; a close friend in MA is reconsidering plan to trade in Volvo XC 90 on new Outback; my wife’s childhood friend in NJ is reconsidering trading in 2012 Outback on new one; and fellow church member here in GA is reconsidering buying a new Outback. If you have similar personal experiences that you wish you had prior to buying your Subaru, I encourage you to pass them on … had I known of this problem ahead of time, I would not have bought the Forester, or any other Subaru.
