If your Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent or Legacy has EyeSight, the system "sees" the road through a pair of cameras mounted at the top of the windshield, on either side of the rearview mirror. They power features like pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure and sway warning. Replace the windshield, and those cameras have to be checked and adjusted before the system can be trusted again.
Why EyeSight Is Different
Most driver-assistance systems use a single camera. EyeSight uses two, set side by side, and judges distance by comparing what each one sees, the same way your two eyes give you depth perception. That makes it very sensitive to the glass in front of it. Even slight distortion in the windshield, or a small shift in how the cameras sit, can throw off how far away it thinks the car ahead is.
What Subaru Says
Subaru's official position on windshield replacement for EyeSight vehicles comes down to three points:
- Recalibration is required. After any windshield replacement, the stereo camera must be inspected and adjusted following Subaru's service procedure.
- Genuine glass is strongly recommended. Subaru recommends its own windshield made for EyeSight, and warns that other glass can cause distortion that interferes with the cameras.
- Non-genuine glass can make recalibration hard or impossible. If the cameras can't be adjusted within spec, the system may not work correctly.
When you call, ask us about glass options for your Subaru. We'll tell you plainly what we recommend for your vehicle and why.
How We Handle Subaru Recalibration
Newer Subarus can use two kinds of camera: EyeSight's two-camera (stereo) system, and a single (mono) camera on some recent models. Our recalibration equipment covers the mono camera, and we recalibrate it on-site during the same visit. The stereo EyeSight cameras need Subaru's own procedure, which our equipment doesn't perform.
Stereo EyeSight: we follow the AGRSS safety standard
For cameras we don't recalibrate ourselves, we follow the auto glass industry's safety standard, ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS 002 from the Auto Glass Safety Council. Before any work starts, we tell you in person and in writing that:
- Your Subaru has EyeSight, a driver-assistance camera system.
- Subaru requires EyeSight to be recalibrated after a windshield replacement.
- We will not be recalibrating the stereo EyeSight cameras ourselves.
- Where you can have it recalibrated, such as a Subaru dealer.
You sign the notice to confirm you've been told, and we keep a copy on file. No surprises, and you know exactly what your Subaru needs before we touch the glass.
What to expect
- We check your exact vehicle. From your VIN, we confirm which cameras it has and which windshield it takes.
- We go over recalibration with you first. Mono camera: we do it on-site. Stereo EyeSight: you get the written notice above before any work begins.
- We replace the windshield. At your home or job in most cases, with a safe drive-away time before you leave.
Subaru EyeSight FAQ
Can a chip in front of the EyeSight cameras be repaired?
Usually not. A repair leaves a small mark in the glass, and anything in the cameras' field of view can affect how EyeSight reads the road. Chips elsewhere on the windshield often can be repaired. More on chip repair.
Will EyeSight work right after the new windshield goes in?
Not until it's recalibrated. You may see an EyeSight warning on the dash until the cameras are adjusted. For a mono camera, we take care of that during the same visit. For stereo EyeSight, the system may stay unavailable until it's recalibrated where we've pointed you, so plan that appointment soon after the new windshield.
Is EyeSight recalibration covered by insurance?
When the windshield replacement is covered under your comprehensive coverage, the required recalibration is normally part of the same claim. We'll bill your insurance directly.
Manufacturer Guidance
Read the manufacturer's own documents:
- Use of Aftermarket Windshield Glass for Subaru Vehicles Equipped with EyeSight (Subaru of America position statement, PDF)
- AGRSS Standard: ADAS language (Auto Glass Safety Council)
- AGRSS Compliance Checklist (Auto Glass Safety Council, PDF)
Other Brands We Recalibrate
Subaru, EyeSight and related names are trademarks of their respective owners. Clancy's Auto Glass is an independent shop and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the manufacturer.