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Consumers want new advanced safety features on their vehicles, like forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Subaru’s EyeSight advanced safety system with these systems is now standard on the 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Legacy models. But the cost to replace the windshield is a hidden cost that can shock owners if they get a cracked windshield.
Consumer Reports says the advanced safety systems are making new cars safer. The Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA) investigation found Subaru vehicles equipped with the EyeSight safety system had an 80 percent decrease in rear-end collisions between vehicles and 50 percent fewer pedestrian accidents. There was a 60 percent decrease overall in all driver accidents. But things like replacing a windshield is more expensive to repair.
What does it cost to replace a Subaru windshield with EyeSight?
CR says Ted Hine was shocked when the dealership quoted $1,400 for a replacement windshield for his Subaru Forester. The reason it’s so expensive is Subaru uses OEM windshields, and after it’s installed, the EyeSight cameras located on the windshield need to be recalibrated. If there are any distortions on the new glass, EyeSight will not work correctly.
There are cheaper alternatives than going to a Subaru retailer. Companies like Safelite AutoGlass and other national companies quoted between $650-$700 for the Forester windshield. But then it costs an additional $220 for the EyeSight technology recalibration. This still brings the total to $900.
“I’m 74 years old and retired, on a limited fixed income,” Hine said. “I can’t afford $900-plus for a windshield every time a truck randomly throws a rock at me.”
Does EyeSight have to be recalibrated every time?
We contacted a Subaru retailer near Denver, and they told us after a windshield is replaced, the EyeSight system may not need to be recalibrated. After the new glass is in, a light on the dash will stay lit if it’s not working correctly. If the light goes out, the new glass is good. But it’s important to use OEM or approve glass for the replacement to be successful.
This will still cost you $650 or more depending on the model. Subaru’s YouTube video says a new windshield with labor cost, and EyeSight recalibration is $1,000+.
All 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and Ascent SUVs now come standard with EyeSight technology. It will protect you in the event of a crash and decrease the chance of an accident. The downside is, repairs like a windshield replacement will cost you more.
You Might Also Like: The 2021 Subaru Ascent and Forester Comes With One New Tech Feature Everybody Wants
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Comments
Still there. My windshield on
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In reply to did Subaru fix this problem by victor barranca (not verified)
Still there. My windshield on my 2020 outback cracked I'm assuming because of the weather this past week. I called affiliated auto glass and was quoted 345.00
Still there. Bought our 2021
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In reply to did Subaru fix this problem by victor barranca (not verified)
Still there. Bought our 2021 Forester April 9th. Within a week it had a pit with a 2-inch crack on the driver's side that we just wrote off as bad luck. Today we ran it through the car wash and it now has a 21-inch crack from the lower edge on the passenger side running up and then towards the driver's side. Starting at the edge it would seem to be a stress crack, and therefore a design flaw. No visible pit or hole that started the crack.
Thank goodness our insurance has no-deductible glass replacement. Told my husband if this continues to be a problem we're trading it in for another Mazda CX-5, because we had no issues whatsoever with windshields cracking like this.
Essentially, it should be
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Essentially, it should be covered under warranty including calibration.
Else, it is unethical from warranty aspects.
Insurance is a ++.. but they fixed amount for windshield only.
I recently had a chip from
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I recently had a chip from the rock, which developed into a long crack in next two days, so I did some exploration. The online glass chains give a quote of $320..350, but after they got a VIN and found that it has EyeSight, they said that they either cannot do it or they have no right glass, and the "right glass" was quoted as $650+calibration. Note that since they are removing mirror and camera glued to the windshield, the calibration is a must and insurance insists on it. Finally I found a shop that did replacement and in-house calibration for $650 and IMHO it was a good deal, now it is better than new.
After reading the article and
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After reading the article and the comments (most, at least), it seems that the problem is insufficient windshield manufacturing specifications by Subaru or a lack of quality control (QA/QC) by Subaru. Proper specs should include that the installed windshield will meet all of the requirements for EyeSight to properly functioning. It seems that Subaru is mostly interested in increasing the number of bells and whistles than in providing quality for those bells and whistle that can be made customer and cost friendly; Subaru should be constructing windshields that are of sufficient quality for EyeSight to function properly, ie, sloppy specs yields sloppy manufacturing and increased cost to the buyers to maintain the installed systems. For cost comparisons, the SafeLite cost in Alaska is $1725 including recalibration for a 2020 Forester.
Agreed! Subaru seems
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Agreed! Subaru seems interested in the bells and whistles but has fallen short in quality. I owned my Toyota 4-Runner for 21 years (over 300,000 miles) and on average replaced the windshield every six years due to dings and chips... never a crack. After three months of owning my 2021 Subaru Outback, a small chip turned into a crack across the entire windshield within two days. The windshield was replaced/calibrated. Three months after replacing the windshield another random piece of debri hit the same area - bottom passenger side, and within a day the chip turned into a running crack across the windshield. This isn't a question of wheather or not insurance covers the cost, it's about the quality of material and structure of the windshield. From January to July I've had to replace two windshields... I don't like the odds for the next 21 years. Subaru, step up!
Just got a quote locally...
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Just got a quote locally... $1600 parts and labor for the OEM window, $800 for calibration. $2400 total. Not sure if that is supply chain driven