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: visibility/wiper
104 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2018
I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH NOW 2 REPLACEMENT WINDOWS ON MY 2017 FORESTER FOR WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE RELATED TO LOW QUALITY GLASS THAT SUBARU IS USING. GLASS DAMAGE - 1.7.18 - SMALL CHIP WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FROM ROAD DEBRIS. DRIVING ON I-25 SOUTH IN CO - REPAIRED / CHIP FILLED BY SAFELITE GLASS DAMAGE - 2.5.18 - SMALL CHIP NEAR CENTER TOP THAT EXPANDED INTO A 2 FOOT CRACK. CHIP / CRACK OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 6 EAST. SAFELITE REPLACED THE GLASS WITH AN OEM / SUBARU PART GLASS DAMAGE - 3.31.18 - SMALL CHIP THE SIZE OF THE HEAD OF A PIN, OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DRIVING ON I-25 IN CO LEFT LANE, NO VEHICLES IN FRONT, ONLY ONE VEHICLE TO MY RIGHT. RESULTED IN OVERNIGHT CRACKING OF OVER A FOOT LONG WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REQUIRING MY WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED FOR A 2ND TIME.ALSO REPLACED BY SAFELITE THERE WERE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL SMALL CHIPS IN BETWEEN THE 1.7.18 AND 2.5.18 INCIDENT PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD BEING REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2018
OWN A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, WE HAVE LESS THAN 11,000 MILES AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. A SMALL STONE HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, QUICKLY ENDS UP IN A 24" TO 30" LONG LINEAR CRACK UNLIKE MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES. WE ARE IN PROCESS OF REPLACING 3RD WINDSHIELD GLASS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT THERE MAY BE AN OEM DEFECT. THIS LONG CRACK CREATES DANGER VISION PROBLEM. EVERY WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRES RE-CALIBRATION OF EYESIGHT TOO. THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON INSURANCE AS WELL AS OWNERS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. WE REQUEST THAT CONSUMER PRODUCT RECALL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ASAP.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2018
WHILE DRIVING SUBARU FORESTER 2017, A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND SMALL CRACK QUICKLY TURNED INTO 24" TO 30" LONG LINEAR CRACK AND AS A RESULT ENDED UP REPLACING WIND SHIELD GLASS AND RE-CALIBRATION OF EYESIGHT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN LAST 8 MONTHS. IT APPEARS TO BE AN OEM ISSUE. UNLIKE MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES, THEY HAD SIMILAR ISSUE HOWEVER THE CRACK WAS SHIELD BY PROFESSIONALS AND NEVER DEVELOPED LINEAR CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2018
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED, MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE (NOT AWARE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ONE TIME CAME OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED IT WAS CRACKED). IT ALSO WAS SEVERELY CHIPPED ONE TIME BEFORE (2500 MILES). SO IT HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 2 TIMES WITHIN 16,000 MILES AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR OWNERSHIP.