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.
Structure, Nov 17, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS YET AND ITS ALREADY HAD TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS DUE TO ROAD DEBRIS. I'VE HEARD THAT SUBARU MADE THE GLASS THINNER TO SAVE WEIGHT, NOT SURE IF THAT IS TRUE, BUT IT SEEMS CRAZY TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD CRACK SO EASILY (DRIVING ON REGULAR ROADS, MOSTLY HIGHWAY). ALSO THE GLASS IS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND SINCE MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT, IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE RECALIBRATED EACH TIME ITS REPLACED. I'VE HAD OTHER CARS FOR FIVE TIMES LONGER AND NEVER HAD TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR. MAYBE SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH THE SUBARU OEM GLASS THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED? THANKS.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, TYPICAL SPEED FOR MY AREA IS BETWEEN 65 AND 80MPH ON HIGHWAYS. MY WIND SHIELD WAS STRUCK BY GRAVEL/ROCK/SMALL OR SMALL DEBRIS. AND A PART OF MY WINDSHIELD CHIPPED WHILE AN OTHER SPOT CRACKED AND LATER DEVELOPED A CRACK.
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2020
INTERMITTENTLY, I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. RESTARTING THE CAR, TAKING IT OUT OF PARK, AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO PARK (SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ITERATIONS) EVENTUALLY ALLOWS THE KEY TO RELEASE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2020
CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING. SAFETY FEATURES ADVERTISED WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER SUCH AS BLIND SPOT DETECTION, CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE ALL STOPPED WORKING. ONCE THE CODE WAS CLEARED FROM THE CAR, THESE SAFETY FEATURES RETURNED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE TO SECURE GAS CAP TIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THAT SAFETY FEATURES SHOULD NOT BE DISABLED WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ONB.
Visibility, Oct 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS TO BE REPLACED. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,800. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 18, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT COMES ON WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A 200+ LBS PASSENGER.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 12, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65-75MPH AND WE WENT UP A GRADE (CUESTA GRADE) ALONG 101 FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA AND VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER WHILE CLIMBING UP THE HILL. ULTIMATELY, NO POWER WAS EVER REGAINED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND STOPPED. WE WERE STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO CALL 911 TO HAVE A CHP OFFER PARK BEHIND US SO THAT WE WOULD NOT BE HIT BECAUSE WE WERE PARTIALLY IN THE LANE. THE CAR COULD NOT MOVE SO WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. WE RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE EMISSIONS CONTROLS, HILL ASSIST, AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING. SUBARU RECENTLY MADE A RECALL ON MODELS THAT HAVE HAD A LOSS OF POWER BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST BUT I DID EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CAN YOU ASSIST?
Power train, Oct 8, 2020
REFERENCE SUBARU TSB # 16-103-16R, REVISION 08/29/19. I PULLED SCREENSHOTS, BUT I HAVE A FULL VIDEO CLIP OF THE LEAK DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN AND SUBARU IS DENYING COVERAGE BECAUSE THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER TOOLS OR DO NOT EMPLOY TRAINED TECHNICIANS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 7, 2020
SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN MY VEHICLE, MY WINDSHIELD HAS GOTTEN SEVERAL CRACKS AND CHIPS (VERY EASILY) FROM ROCKS FLYING UP OFF THE ROAD. FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET MY WINDSHIELD REPAIRED AND THIS TIME A FULL REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED DUE TO DAMAGE FROM A ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING A LARGE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 2, 2020
GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO BRANCHES OR OTHER LARGE ITEMS NEAR THE CAR THAT WOULD'VE FALLEN ON IT. THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN LAST DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK IS ABOUT A FOOT IN LENGTH AND STARTS AT THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN LOOKING AT IT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED AT OUR RESIDENCE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED, WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. EPICENTER OF THE CRACK DOES NOT SHOW SIGNS OF IMPACT. APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN STRESS INDUCED. CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD TO BELOW THE MIRROR.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2020
TWO SMALL CRACKS FORMED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD (CAUSE UNKNOWN). ONE OF THOSE CRACKS HAS NOW SPREAD TO HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD IN ONE DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2020
BOUGHT THE 2017 SUBARU FORESTER EYESIGH BRAND NEW IN 2017. 2 WEEKS LATER FRONT WINDSHIELD CHIPPED AND CRACKED. GOT IT REPLACED. AND NOW ANOTHER CHIPPED. THIS IS CHEAP THIN POORLY MADE WINDSHIELD EVEN THE DEALER PARTS PERSON SAID SO. 1ST TIME......THIS IS ALL HAPPENED FREEWAY DRIVING. OUT OF NOWHERE. ALL I HEARD A DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD GOT TO WORK PARKED. BY THE TIME I GET OFF WORK..... THERES A BIG LONG CRACKED ACROSS THE BOTTOM WINDSHIELD. AND 2ND TIME SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE GOING TO WORK. SAME THING HAPPENED. BUT THIS TIME I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED, AND I GOT THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WARRANTY. NO LUCK, TOLD ME THEY ONLY CAN DO REPAIR SMALLER THEN A QUARTER. SO I CALLED, THEY SAID ONLY CAN REPAIR NO REPLACEMENT. FILL IN THE CRACKED. SO. SO FAR. THIS GONNA BE MY 1ST AND LAST SUBARU. NOTHING BUT HEADACHE DEALING WITH THE DEALERS. WINDSHIELD REPLACNEMT IS NOT CHEAP. ITS ABOUT $$1200
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2020
FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ALL OF SUDDEN 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. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SECOND TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ALL OF SUDDEN 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. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I ROCKED THE CAR SIDE TO SIDE AND THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY PRESSURE TESTED FUEL PUMP AND FOUND A SLIGHT PRESSURE DROP ONCE DURING THE TEST. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT 18,000 MILES.
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2020
HAVE A 2017 FORESTER. AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK, THE KEY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. IF I START THE CAR BACK UP, AND SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE, AND THEM SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK, THEN I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2020
I HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER ONLY HAVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD COVER THIS AT THE TIME. THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AS IT START OUT AS A SMALL CRACK AND HAS GROWN TO ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD..
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2020
AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE ON 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, AND PUTTING GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND IT WAS LOCKED IN ACCESSORY POSITION..AFTER MANY TRIES AND BY CALLING DEALER, PUTTING THE SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL THEN PARK ENABLED ME TO REMOVE IT. THIS OCCURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION. THE SHIFTER PLATE GUIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST WAS $662. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 31,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2020
HAVE A 2017 FORESTER. AT LEAST A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK, THE KEY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. IF I START THE CAR BACK UP, AND SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE, AND THEM SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK, THEN I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY.
Electrical system, Sep 4, 2020
IGNITION KEY STICKING. UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED HORIZONTAL CRACKS WHILE PARKED ON STREET AT OWNERS LOCATION. CRACK INCREASED IN LENGTH OVER A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. FAILURE BEGAN ON PASSENGER SIDE. FAILURE NOW EXTENDS NEARLY 50% INTO DRIVER SIDE. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY IMPACT FROM EITHER THE OUTSIDE OF WINDOW OR INSIDE OF WINDOW.
Engine, Sep 4, 2020
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND THE FUEL FEED. THE ENGINE WILL BUCK, MUCH LIKE A BACKFIRE AND FAIL TO ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON-GOING SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DATE OF THE EVENT IS AN APPROXIMATION BUT IT HAS BEEN ON-GOING SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE 4 YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR. THIS TIME, ON AUG 28, IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT.
Power train, Aug 30, 2020
AFTER 20K MILES, TRANSMISSION HESITATES MORE AND MORE. BE CAREFUL AND TRY TO AVOID SITUATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE OR ACCELERATE WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY. CVT SLIPS, ESPECIALLY FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. AT SLOW SPEEDS, IT JERKS THE CAR TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. THE PROBLEM BEGAN UNDER 10K MILES, AND I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT IS HOW THE CAR DRIVES AND TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST FORESTER, BUT DEFINITELY THE WORST. I CALLED SUBARU AMERICA, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WHIT THEIR TRANSMISSION. I ALMOST GOT KILLED IN A HIGHWAY STOP AND GO SITUATION, WHERE I HAD TO ACCELERATE AFTER A SLOWDOWN, AND THE CAR DECIDED NOT TO. IF YOU OWN ONE, BE CAREFUL.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 14, 2020
MY FIANC AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, AFTER WE PURCHASED IT WE FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND DURING DRIVING 1 NIGHT IT BUCKED REAL HARD AND WOULD NOW ACCELERATE AND IT SCARED BOTH OF US. SO THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO CENTER SUBARU IN TORRINGTON CONNECTICUT TO GET IT INSPECTED, DURING THE TRIP TO THE DEALER IT HAD BUCKED THREE MORE TIMES VIOLENTLY. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN THE SYSTEM, I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC LATER AND HE SAID IF IT DOESN'T THROW TROUBLE CODES IT HAS SERIOUS ISSUES IN THE COMPUTER. I EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS IN A TWO ACCIDENTS AND HE GOES I WOULD EXPLAIN A LOT, HIS OFF THE BOOKS RECOMMENDATION TO ME WAS GET RID OF THE VEHICLE AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE. I TOLD HIM I BOUGHT IT FROM A BETTER WAY WHOLESALE AUTOS IN NAUGATUCK CONNECTICUT AND HE SAID TO CONTACT YOU. I WANT THIS CAR FLAGGED SO WHEN WE TURN IT BACK IN SOMEONE ELSE DOES NOT COME ACROSS IT THE SAME WAY WE DID, I KNOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL PUT THIS ARE BACK OUT FOR SALE AND NOT TELL ANYONE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 14, 2020
ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2017 SUBARU FORESTER WITH EYESIGHT. DRIVING ON OPEN ROAD IN CLEAR WEATHER. NOTICED A SMALL LINE ABOVE REGISTRATION STICKER THAT LOOKED LIKE A BLADE OF GRASS. STOPPED AT OUR DESTINATION AND NOTICED A CRACK THAT TRIPLED IN LENGTH IN THE 30 MINUTES IT SAT PARKED ACROSS THE LEFT LOWER SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT PROCEEDED TO SPREAD OVER THE NEXT DAY. HAVE NEVER HAD A CHIP OR IMPACT TO THIS WINDSHIELD PREVIOUSLY, BUT IF THERE WAS ANY OBJECT THAT HIT THE CAR IT WAS INCREDIBLY SMALL AS THE CRACK IS ENTIRELY IN THE DRIVER'S EYELINE AND I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING.