2017 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 586 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 40 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
106 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 26, 2018
VEHICLES BATTERY HAS SLOW CRANKING POWER, SINCE NEW CURRANT MILES ARE 47,800 TODAY VEHICLES SLOW TO START ,ONCE STARTED ALL ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW AND VEHICLE STARTED NORMAL AND STRONG, PUT INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE DROVE NORMAL, PUT INTO REVERSE AND AGAIN VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD OR REVERSES, VEHICLE IN IN DEALERSHIP REPAIR FACILITIES AT THIS TIME, PROBLEM UNKNOWN,
Electrical system, Engine, May 29, 2018
I HAVE A TOTAL OF ELECTRICAL POWER LOST FOR 7 TIMES. 2 TIMES WHILE DRIVING I EXPERIENCE ALL ELECTRICAL LOST WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND WAS ABLE TO JUMP STARTED THE CAR WITH A JUMPER BATTERY 5 MINUTES LATER. OTHER 5 TIMES IT HAPPENED WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR AND I DID NOT GET ANY ELECTRICAL POWER AT ALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CHANGE/FIX THE CAR GROUND THE FIRST TIME THAT I LOST ELECTRICAL POWER. THEN THEY CHANGE THE BATTERY AFTER 5 ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURES. I AM ABOUT TO BRING IT IN FOR THE 7TH TIME FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I AM TOTALLY LOST CONFIDENT AND NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE OR FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY TWO BOYS ON THIS CAR.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 3, 2018
CANNOT TURN OFF DISTRACTION OF A NOISY STEREO WHILE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN REVERSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL DESIGN FEATURE THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 20, 2017
I WAS MERGING ON I-95 AT 4PM AND IT WAS RAINING, I WAS ACCELERATING INTO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND, THE CAR PANEL WENT BLACK,NO LIGHTS OR INFO SHOWED. I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE,IGNITION ON. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT WOULDN'T GO ON, NOR THE BLUETOOTH OR SOS CALL LINE. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IF I HAD BEEN IN THE MIDDLE LANE OR NO WHERE TO PULL OFF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC . I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY A GLITCH, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A GLITCH AT 70 MPH. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PROFILE SUBARU (1323 NH-16, CONWAY, NH 03818 (603) 447-3845), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Electrical system, Structure, Oct 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE SCREEN REFLECTED LIGHT ONTO HER FACE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT'S VISION WAS IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.