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
586 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Aug 12, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while approaching the parked vehicle, she noticed the windshield was cracked. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2021
When in PARK, the key will not pull out of the ignition. The car is not recognizing that it is in PARK and shoild release the key. I was told by a Subaru dealership that Subaru is aware of the problem but does not intend to recall it at this time. I was told that aggressive shifting is causing a plate to bend. My car only has 18000 miles on it and I'm not a kid and I don't shift aggressively. The only way I can get the key out is to shift it back-and-forth aggressively and then it will release. Although I have onky 18000 miles on the car, it's over 3 years old so now I'm out of warranty (hich does not please me at all) This is an expensive repair for customers. This can be a safety hazard if I must leave the iey in the ignition making it possible for a child to start the engine!
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2021
Spontaneous windshield crack occurred while car was parked (i.e., no collision or pebble impact). Crack originates at lower portion of passenger side in black-colored perimeter of windshield glass with windshield deicer and spread upward and across middle of entire windshield. Crack obstructs driving visibility and poses risk to integrity of entire window including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning system calibration. No previous impacts to windshield. Suspect defect in windshield consistent with those found in 2015-2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy models related to materials used in deicer area of windshields in recent class action settlement against Subaru. Took to Subaru dealer who confirmed origin of crack in originates in deicer region of windshield, but denies any liability for weakened material at sight of deicer as determined for other models.
Power train, Engine, Aug 10, 2021
My 2017 Subaru Forester has 52,000 miles driven. Recently the ignition key will NOT turn to start the engine. The transmission was in park and all the doors were fully closed. After 15 minutes trying several times to no avail it did finally turn to the right and the engine started. Also, previously a few times, randomly, the key would not turn all the way to to the left to turn the engine off. Again, the car was in park and I kept my foot on the brake while trying. Each time this happened I had to move the transmission from Part to Drive and back to Park again, (while keeping my foot on the brake) and the key finally turned all the way to turn the engine off. I am now bringing the car to a Subaru dealer service shop (in Annapolis, Maryland) to try to have them repair this problem once and for all. Thank you, [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the key remained stuck in the ignition after multiple attempts to shut-off the vehicle. The contact stated that he had to restart the vehicle or move the shift lever back and forth from the park position to release the key from the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure could be related to the shifter cable or the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Visibility, Jul 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated a day after purchasing the vehicle, he noticed a crack on the windshield of the vehicle while the vehicle was parked in the garage. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,938.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2021
The issue is sudden battery drain. The risk is being stranded. Unfortunately the drain happens randomly. The battery has been been replaced twice since 2017. Last battery replaced 11/19. I noticed this is an issue with this car and there are many complaints.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2021
I've had to replace the battery three (3) times in a four (4) year old vehicle. I've had several calls to AAA for a jump start (to then get to Dealer to replace battery) and I had to purchase a rapid charger which I must carry in my car all the time in case the battery dies again. The problem with the battery began within the first year of purchase and has continued two times afterwards replacing the battery now 3 times Below I put the last time this happened. I've been stranded numerous times and I shouldn't have to keep jump starting my car. I've brought this concern to the Dealer (Sunset Subaru, Sarasota) and it is not taken seriously. In my opinion, this has been and continues to be a technical problem going back to the purchase of the vehicle in question.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021
My windshield is cracked. It is available for inspection. This could cause my whole windshield to break and possibly get a ticket and crash. Nothing has been reproduced or confirmed. It happened today. I noticed it when I was got in the car to leave work. It has not been inspected by anyone. No warning lamps or messages. Just happened today.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2021
My new battery completely drained over a weekend in my garage. I had AAA jump the battery and drove to their service center to check the battery to see if it was damaged. They said it was in great condition, no problems they could detect. A few days after the battery drain I found the passenger side window will not operate from the driver side console. I have an appointment with the Subaru dealership to investigate the problem. This is the second time I have had a complete battery drain on this vehicle. I am now on 2nd battery and there is only 18,867 miles on the vehicle. We could not find any reason for the drains.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021
Since purchasing this vehicle in October, 2016, I have purchased two new batteries. It continues to die with no apparent reason. Even with a new battery that was installed this past spring, it died again on July 5th. Yes, it is available for inspection. Nobody was at risk. The mechanic who works on my car checked the battery before he replaced it a second time. He said there was nothing wrong with it; then, when he changed the oil and did some routine maintenance, it died. He replaced it a second time. This was in the spring. There were no warnings. I need to reset the automatic window feature each time this happens. I do not understand why the battery continues to be a problem. I have had to get it jumped multiple times, both in my garage as well as the parking lot at work.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start due to battery drainage. The contact stated that the battery had to be connected to a battery charger after each use. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,375.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
Battery drain. I've replaced the battery once around 30000 miles.
Power train, Jul 13, 2021
I have a 2017 Subaru Forrester that has 60,000 miles. At least twice a week the past month my key gets stuck in the ignition. I put the vehicle in park and turn it off and the key wont come out. I have to turn the vehicle on and off a few times in order to get the key to release.
Power train, Jul 13, 2021
On July 12, 2021, I had an appointment for service at Subaru because 2017 Forester AC was blowing hot air. Was assured condenser would be replaced at no charge. While checking the car in, I mentioned the key sticks and cannot be removed without re-starting engine moving the car back and forth and trying again to remove key as many as 3-4 x. They were aware of the problem, but no recall on it. Shifter plate, etc., was replaced at approx. cost of $370. The Service Bulletin # is 16-112-18R dated 03/15/18 and revised 11/06/18. The mileage on this vehicle is 12,717.
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2021
The battery in my 2017 Subaru Forester was completely drained of power in 4 days of non-operation of the vehicle. The battery in question was installed on 10/4/2020 by my Subaru dealer to replace a battery that also had drained of power and would not take a charge. I presume the current battery was fully charged by my trip home to Arlington, VA from Philadelphia, PA on July 5, 2021. I tried to start this vehicle around noon on July 10, 2021 only to find that the battery was completely dead. The electronic key did not work. All internal screens are black. No response to key in ignition; not even a rattling noise. This is two dead batteries in less than two years of ownership. The current battery is only 9 1/2 months old.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2021
Windshield cracked straight across. Looking to see if this is part of the class action lawsuit. We have replaced the windshield
Steering, Wheels, Jun 16, 2021
I am writing to inform you of the following problems with the steering system of my 2017 Subaru Forester: 1) When turning or changing car lanes, the steering wheel does not engage the wheels until the steering wheel is turned to about a 90 degree angle in the direction of the turn, left or right, 2) After making a turn, it takes more rotations of the steering wheel to come out of the turn than it took to make the turn. At other times it takes more rotations of the steering wheel to make the turn than it does to come out of the turn, 3) Constant adjustments to steering have to be made in order to stay in a lane regardless of whether the lane is straight or curved. It's like trying to maneuver a boat on water or like driving on a frictionless surface. It feels like the car switches to a different control system, either void of any driver control, or delayed response to driver input, and 4) The steering wheel has to be turned to almost a 90 degree angle before it engages the wheels while the car is running and stationary. With the exception of item 4, the steering problems occur when there are other cars in the vicinity of our car. On secluded roads our car drives fine, so far. The steering issues occur during city and highway driving. The steering problems occur even when the following car assistive technologies are all set to off: automatic braking, hill assist, lane change assist, X-mode, Eyesight, and cruise control. On May 4, 2021, we took the car to the Subaru Superstore of Chandler in Arizona. We showed the dealership a video of item 4 and they observed it. They described it as "egregious". The dealership stated that they could not find a reason for item 4 and they could not duplicate the other problems. They stated that they documented the problem. Having an unresponsive/delayed response steering system could prove disastrous when seconds count to avert a disaster. This has been an ongoing problem since October 2018, with no resolution from Subaru.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 15, 2021
Windshield cracked for no good reason and the crack extended to over 12 inches long in 2 weeks time.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2021
I was driving down the street and the whole car shut off without warning. It was the scariest thing ever. I had to pull over the side of the road with cars driving past me. I felt like I had no control of the car.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 9, 2021
With engine running and shift lever in Park (CVT transmission) driver is unable to turn the engine off or remove the ignition key from the steering wheel. This occurs sporadically/unpredictably such that driver has no forewarning and cannot take proactive steps to avoid the problem, resulting in instances where driver is forced to leave the car running in situations that present safety concerns. (Examples: in a garage or enclosed area; when temporarily exiting vehicle necessitating leaving the doors unlocked; etc.). The problem is widespread in Subaru vehicles and consistent with problems exhibited/described in Subaru Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #16-112-18R for which no recall has to date been issued for corrective action by Subaru. Driver was told by Subaru of America that a diagnostics test is needed by a Subaru dealer to verify existence of the problem (which as stated occurs unpredictably) at driver's expense (locally approximately $140), with repair coverage of defective/poorly-designed shift or electrical components not being covered by Subaru beyond the standard warranty period for the affected vehicle. estimated cost of repair for defects as listed in the TSB (per on-line sources)...$400-$650 depending on dealer and geographical location.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 8, 2021
Without any cause I found a crack on my windshield on 6/5/ 2021 . On the passenger side Starting at the base . A very clean long crack without any apparent impact . When My i parked my car in my parking on Friday 6/4 after work there was no crack on the windshield , when I got in my car on Saturday 6/5 morning I saw the crack about 12 “ long . On Monday 6/7 when I got in my car to go to work , the crack was already about 2’ in length.
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2021
The vehicle does not recognize when it is park (a problem with a sensor down by the shifter) so it is nearly impossible to take the key out of the ignition. Although Subaru has created a TSB 16-112-18R that nhtsa is aware of, I want to report this happening to my vehicle. I believe it is a very dangerous situation to experience especially with children as passengers in the vehicle. I’ve had to bypass the sensor on my own due to the cost ($500+) of the repair ...
Visibility/wiper, May 28, 2021
Cracked windshield
Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2021
While driving on the highway around 65mph, the windshield was struck by a small piece of debris, no larger than a nickel in diameter. This initially produced a small crack at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, which quickly lengthened to over 12 inches over the course of the day. Especially under bright sunlight, the crack produces a sharp glare which significantly reduces driver visibility. When running my finger along the crack, I cannot feel any crack. There is no chip in the glass. The crack is internal to the windshield. (See photo included with this incident submission.) This seems to be a defect in the windshield quality that other Subaru Forester owners have also reported.