7.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 2,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 11 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (11 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.
I have brought my vehicle in many times for the same problem as others have complained about. Still no relief. Clearly, there is a defect in the vehicle and it should be recalled. At times, the window is so bad, I cant even see out of it...
- mg3201, Albany, NY, US
My Impreza has been in repeatedly to the dealer for the windshield film. Initially they thought I was crazy and then they started getting service bulletins. They cleaned the windshield on many occasions. The last visit to the dealer involved applying a wax coating to the windshield. Supposedly this was to prevent the film from adhering to the windshield. I was told that rubber seals in the HVAC lines were off-gassing causing the film buildup and that the off-gasing would eventually stop.
The wax coating worked for about a month which was better than the cleanings which lasted about a week before the film reappeared. Now swirl marks appear on the windshield - presumably the wax!
Subaru is using lame bandaid solutions to put off the costly solution - replacing the rubber seals in the HVAC - if that is even really the problem.
- Chris E., Peterborough, ON, Canada
i have the same film on the window problem i see others are having. dealer told me it's something on the seats causing it, but it didn't start till i started using the defroster this winter. Subaru needs to step up and fix this!!!
- David P., Marquette, MI, US
I bought my 2008 Subaru Impreza sept 2007, as soon as winter hit and i started using my heater this white oily film began to form on the front windshield and the 2 side windows, this problem continued to get worse and worse the more I used the vehicle and the heater. I used many cleaning solutions and completely removed the film off but I keeps returning when the heater is turned on and the weather is cold. I took this problem up with the dealer and they insist on cleaning the window that there is something on the dash that stick to the windshield, this is complete bull sh*t and there is no quick simple fix to this issue and the dealer keeps pushing it off as a cleaning issue telling you to try armor all cloths and special cleaners. After doing hours of research I have came to the conclusion that there is a leak of anti freeze in the heater core of the vehicle causing antifreeze to leak into the heating system, this is what is causing the film, there is a agent in anti freeze that produces a film on glass when evaporating. The reason why the dealers are telling you to use armor all cloths is to put another coating on the window that stops the antifreeze film from sticking to it. This does not fix the actual problem it just is a quick fix so Subaru does not have to spend a ton of money treating the actual issue. It makes driving extremely dangerous and annoying. I now drive with a cloth in my car and continue to wipe my window every 20 minutes so I can see out the windshield.
Subaru is well aware of this problem and is not doing the proper steps to repair the issue.
Please send me some feed back if you have any other ideas or luck with your dealer.
This should be a mandatory recall in my opinion
- jecey, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
I bought my car January 14, 2008 and within in a week I noticed a film on my windows. I thought it was just that my defrost wasn't working, when I had it check they told me that my window was just dirty. I informed them that I had only had the car a week or so and they then looked into the problems. I had the car to the dealership (Simmons Rockwell) 3 different times before they called Subaru. I was told that there is a film on the window and that it is something they used on the dash, it is coming up and sticking to the window. I had it cleaned off with a 105 degree wet cloth and then the dash cleaned with armour all, that worked for a while. I had it cleaned 3 times and finally in April it worked until about 2 months ago when it started getting cold. I made another appointment and had it cleaned about 2 weeks ago. It worked for a short time and is now starting to "fog" over again. It is very difficult to see at night and when the sun is really bright and hits the window just write. I find that if I try to wipe the window with a cloth or anything to clear the window it just makes it really nice rainbow colors and you can't see anything coming at you!! This is really irritating me and I will not keep taking my car down there to have it cleaned off each week or every two weeks. I drive my car a lot, I have almost 22,000 miles on it already and it is not a year old but I am still having issues with the window!!!
- sunshinehmb2003, Hornell, NY, US
The film is getting quite annoying....it is sometimes hard to see out the passenger windshield....
- fairysheri, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
we have had the Impreza in now 6 times for the same problem, they have washed the windows, put it in the paint booth 2 times , and last time they replaced the cabin air filter. the dealership Denil Wall tell us we are the only ones with this complaint. i even told them to check out this web site. the windshield still has a film on it. it is most noticeable at night and as the sun sets. really messes with the visibility .
- Christine S., Green Bay, WI, US
The windshield keeps fogging up. Especially with a lot of people in the car. The defrost does not clear it up. I wipe and wipe and wipe and it drives me crazy. Brought it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong, don't see a problem!! Can anybody help? I will keep complaining to the dealer because it is dangerous especially at night. It's especially bad on the passenger side of the windshield.
- gvond, Redding, CT, US
I cannot keep my 2008 Impreza's windshield fog free. It's most anoying and most noticeable after dark, reflecting off street lights and other headlights. The dealer did notice a film when I took it in and they cleaned the windshield. That lasted about a day and the fogging was back. I've used RainX antifogging with good results for about 3 days. However, nobody should have to do this with a brand new car. I think the next step is to contact Subaru directly. Doubt the dealer can help. If anyone has similar issues, I sure would like to hear them. Especially a solution!
- Rick G., Lockport, NY, US
brought car in to service and they checked the defrost , windows fogged up and did not clear
called and was told that someone cleaned the car with a type of armorall and it got on the windows, try cleaning with an ammonia and water solution.
did that , did not help, it is most noticeable at night
called dealer again and was told it was possibly a silicone that they spray on the interior , probably at the factory. brought in to service again, they cleaned the windows
still looks like a film on the windows, called dealer and was passed over to service
again have an appointment on dec. 30 checking hoses for defrost
- Christine S., Green Bay, WI, US
Our Subaru dealer tells us this window film problem is only on the 2008 Subaru Impreza.
We have complained numerous times and Subaru tells the dealer to clean the window with Windex , . We were also told it was coming from the new carpeting and it should go away soon. Wrong! The fogging is so bad you can't see out of the window you need to pull over and wipe off the residue . Very dangerous. Subaru is aware of this problem. We sent them a registered letter and their response was that this is the first they heard about this problem What liars! I had more respect for the Orientals because of their ethics but this bullcrap must be the American management team, no ethics. They offered us a $250.00 credit or give a deal on a new car. Oh we will get this problem fixed and we all should get together and consolidate our complaints. Hopefully they will fire the jerks who denied this problem and hire some good ehtical Americans who will do a good job and take care of business.
- Judith P., Hunlock Creek, PA, US