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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
Thats why we have insurance.
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Thats why we have insurance.
I was thinking the same. In
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In reply to Thats why we have insurance. by Darrell DeFord (not verified)
I was thinking the same. In 2016 I had a Subaru lease. The window cracked. Glass covered it and it cost nothing out of pocket nor did my rate go up
Not much good if you have a
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In reply to Thats why we have insurance. by Darrell DeFord (not verified)
Not much good if you have a $1000 deductible
I have a $1000 deductible for
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In reply to Not much good if you have a by Gil (not verified)
I have a $1000 deductible for collision. I used to have a $250 deductible for comprehensive because if I looked at the difference in cost between that and the $1000 deductible, it wasn't enough savings to warrant it. I then switched to a $100 deductible for comprehensive because of how long it would take for the difference in premium to add up to $150, and the likelihood that I'd need a windshield before that happened.
I recently needed a windshield for a Tesla Model 3, which also needs the camera recalibrated. The insurance company approved Tesla's bid. Tesla had a third party come in on a particular day to replace the windshield with Tesla glass, after which a Tesla technician takes over. For some reason, the final price was slightly lower than the check I got from the insurance company.
I've had windshields damaged in the past, and probably should have changed windshields in other cases when I never did. Windshields can get many chips the size of a pin head that can distort things or interfere with driving, and windshield companies say to replace the windshield when that happens.
It pays to have a slightly higher premium for comprehensive than to drive along with a cracked or damaged windshield in order to save $1000.
That’s exactly what I had to
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In reply to Not much good if you have a by Gil (not verified)
That’s exactly what I had to pay yesterday
This is absolutely BULLSH!T,
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This is absolutely BULLSH!T, I have a 20 subaru forester w eyesight, I completely replaced my windshield for $421 dollars after a rock cracked it over half way through, i went aftermarket, not oem
I didn't even have to have the eyesight recalibrated, and everything works 100% just fine, my advice, don't take your car to the dealer to get raped on a new windshield , find a glass/ windshield place near by
I am happy that your
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In reply to This is absolutely BULLSH!T, by BMB (not verified)
I am happy that your installation worked for you, however, NO reputable glass shop would ever allow you to leave without having the system re calibrated.
As a glass shop, we are required to restore the car to pre loss condition. It is a liability for us.
I am sure that your outlook would be different had the system failed in an accident.
Trust me, there are brands of glass out there that I would never use because I do not trust them. We have all seen poorly made glass that could be distorted around the eyesight area.
as a glass shop owner, your safety is my number one concern. If the system would fail because it wasn't re calibrated and you were to be injured or killed, I would never be able to forgive myself.
best wishes
Mr, Bill
Good article Denis. Our 2016
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Good article Denis. Our 2016 Forester had two windshields replaced that were not OEM but cost just over $200 each. Can't wait for you to write something on the $10,000 cost of a new CVT for Subarus. Consumers should know the pros and cons of Subarus.
Hey Joe! I also have a 2016
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In reply to Good article Denis. Our 2016 by Joe Newman (not verified)
Hey Joe! I also have a 2016 Forester. Can you tell me where and what glass you got such a good deal on? Thanks!
Many insurance companies
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Many insurance companies offer $0 deductible glass coverage. Even if they don’t you may still get $0 deductible comprehensive for barely more than $500 deductible. The best thing about owning a Subaru other than driving it is the lowered insurance rates that come with driving a car with such a high safety rating.
I owned a 2015 Outback,
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I owned a 2015 Outback, purchased Nov 2014. After 2 months the windshield cracked. Lucky I had full glass coverage. Didn't pay for calibration though. I replaced windshield 4 times in 5 years.
I was even asked what am I doing to make this happen. REALLY!! I had my insurance cancelled.
A complete nightmare. I LOVE MY SUBARU, just not repairing windshields
Did you get the work done at
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In reply to I owned a 2015 Outback, by teresa kaucher (not verified)
Did you get the work done at Subaru? did they replace with Subaru Windshield? There was a recall on windshield for the 2015 Outback- I remember we got ours replaced for free back in 2016. Since then we have only had a couple of rock chips that were small and able to be repaired without issues....curious...
Thanks
Is there any news on recalls
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Is there any news on recalls for 2015 Subaru Legacy models or any legal cases that may help owners of this year and model? There is a clearly a defect with these windshields on these cars which Subaru is refusing to address.
My Subaru dealership offers
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My Subaru dealership offers an insurance program for the windshield. It costs as much as one windshield replacement. The rest will be free if needed.
I have had multiple glass
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I have had multiple glass replacements in different cars and trucks and insurance has always paid for it. Failures caused by rocks my stupidity or vandals and BB guns. Why is this different? Everything on the newer cars is more expensive.
In My state (Mass.) glass
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In My state (Mass.) glass replacement with $0 deductible is the default by law. An owner can opt out if they wish, but I know of nobody who does so.
Mine in my 2013 Outback was $
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Mine in my 2013 Outback was $ 879 !
Subaru has the worst
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Subaru has the worst windshields of any manufacturer out there. We had one cracked windshield in over 30 years. I bought a Forester XT in 2017 and the windshield cracked after 6 months. Replaced under insurance. Bought a new Ascent in 19. Windshield cracked in 6 months. Paid out of pocket for this one. Paid $365 for Pilkington glass and it's been a better windshield. No calibration was required. Now the Forester XT has another crack. There is definitely a problem with their windshields. You don't go 30 years and then all of a sudden crack windshields every year.
We have a 2021 Subaru Outback
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In reply to Subaru has the worst by Fred Spivey (not verified)
We have a 2021 Subaru Outback Premium. We have had 3 cracked windshields in under a year. The most recent one occurred while just parked in a lot for several hours in direct sunlight. The first windshield replacement at the dealer required a calibration that took under 35 minutes. It was near the end of the day and service was closing, but they calibrated it very quickly. The second windshield replacement at the same dealer required required 2.5 hours calibration time. They told me while I was in the waiting room that it would probably take 2-3 hours to calibrate, before the windshield had even been installed. I recently called 3 different Subaru dealers for windshield replacement quotes and they now want 3 hours of calibration time. This extreme calibration time is a major scam. I am already thinking about getting rid of this vehicle. Subaru likely has a design issue. There have already been windshield related class-action lawsuits regarding previous model years.
Of course the author wants
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Of course the author wants to bash Subaru... why not write the same article for other manufacturers like GM and those companies who actually have windshield mounted sensors? Such poor journalistic coverage.
You will be shocked how affordable the Subaru windshield is!
In addition, full glass coverage on an insurance policy is super affordable.
Not true. That's what the
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Not true. That's what the dealership and manufacturer say. If you get a decent piece of glass, the eyesight works just as well without recalibrating. I spent $120 on japanese made glass at a shop in the hood and have not detected any variance in the eyesight function at all.
You don’t need recalibration
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You don’t need recalibration by Suburu, despite what they will tell you. Private replacement companies use Suburu windshields anyway, and
it automatically recalibration upon installation. We
did it twice in a week. It cost about $700 each time.
Totally untrue. Only $650 to
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Totally untrue. Only $650 to replace with OEM glass last month on my 2019 Subaru Ascent.
$1105 + tax ($1200 total) for
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In reply to Totally untrue. Only $650 to by Liz (not verified)
$1105 + tax ($1200 total) for OEM replacement at the dealer on my 2019 Subaru Forester.
In Texas the dealership
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In Texas the dealership offers a glass replacement package at purchase that isn't available afterwards. $1250. $0 deductible unlimited lifetime replacement I'm on 2nd about to need a third. There's currently a class action suit against Subaru for this problem, cracking spontaneously it with very slight impact. My Hyundai didn't have these issues. I replaced the windshield once in six years and 112k miles. Subaru is at 3 glass in 3 months.
I have a 19 Outback with
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I have a 19 Outback with EyeSight. My favorite is during inclement weather (heavy rain) when the EyeSight technology shuts off, rendering the lane assist, distance warnings and cruise control completely ineffective. What is the point of lane assist and distance control if it doesn’t work in adverse weather conditions?
Really? It can't see much
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In reply to I have a 19 Outback with by Tony (not verified)
Really? It can't see much better than you can. I just drove home today in torrential downpour, the kind that brings a 75mph freeway down to about 40mph for most cars. You couldn't see more than 75-100ft ahead. The eyesight system turned off briefly a few times for about 20 seconds each. It's not meant to drive for you, it's to aid your driving. But if your human vision is impaired by extreme weather, why would you expect some cameras to see better?
I went through this earlier
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I went through this earlier this year in Colorado during the winter freeze. Glad I have insurance. Sorry but this article feels more like a scare tactic. If you have an expensive new Subaru, I think you can afford the insurance to protect it especially any problem with the windshield.
Buy the special widow
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Buy the special widow treatment from the dealer. Then any repairs will be covered by the window coating's warranty. I think the cost is around $150, money well spent.
did Subaru fix this problem
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did Subaru fix this problem for 2021 models or is it still there??