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.
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SUBARU OF MELBOURNE LOCATED AT 4340 WEST NEW HAVEN AVE MELBOURNE FL 32904, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARK RANGE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE INSIDE THE GEAR SELECT LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD GOT A SPONTANEOUS CRACK WHILE DRIVING, NOT BEHIND ANY WORK TRUCKS, AND THEN AS THE DAYS GOT HOTTER, IT BEGAN TO SPIDER. I PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT THROUGH SAFELIGHT IN MARCH 2018. I ALSO PAID FOR THE REQUIRED CALIBRATION FOR A TOTAL OF JUST OVER $642. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I GOT ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I PUT SEALANT INTO IT AND IT IS STARTING TO SPREAD. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS IN A QUIET RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH NO CONSTRUCTION.
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2020
KEY REMAINS IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION WITH RADIO AND ALL DASH LIGHTS STILL ON. IT HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNE. THE CAR WAS PARKED MOVED SEVERAL , TURNED ON AND OFF WITH NO RESULT . CAR WAS IN PARK AT ALL TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF MOVING CAR , TURNING ON AND OFF SEVERAL KEY FINALLY RELASED
Air bags, Jul 27, 2020
I AM LOCATING IN VILSECK, GERMANY ON DOD US ARMY MILITARY OFFICIAL ORDER FROM MAY 2018 TO PRESENT. NOW! I AM SCHEDULE TO PCS FROM GERMANY BACK TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WITH THIS RECALL I WILL HAVE PROBLEM OF SHIPPING MY CAR BACK HOME AND I CAN'T GET IT FIX DUE TO SUBARU, GERMANY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO GET IT DONE DUE TO LACKS OF SERVICE CONTACT WITH SUBARU USA.
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY CANNOT BE FULLY TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT OUT IS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK. SUPPOSEDLY A SWITCH WITHIN THE SHIFTER THAT PREVENTS A SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN FROM OPENING. THIS IS ALL COVERED ON TSB 16-112-18 AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ISSUE ONLINE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2020
AFTER PARKING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE KEY WILL ONLY MOVE TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND NO FURTHER. EVENTUALLY BY RESTARTING THE ENGINE, DRIVING BACK AND FORTH AND SOMETIMES TURNING THE WHEELS A LITTLE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO A SUBARU SERVICE CENTER AND LEFT IT THERE FOR IT TO BE CHECKED TOMORROW.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2020
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN "PARK", THE KEY COULD NOT BE EXTRACTED FROM THE IGNITION. PUTTING THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WAS OF NO HELP, SOMETIMES ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN EXTRACT THE KEY. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN PAST MONTH. LUCKILY, BY SHIFTING GEARS OR STRAIGHTENING OUT THE WHEEL, OR DRIVING A BIT MORE I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY.BY SLOWLY REMOVING KEY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. HOWEVER, AFRAID THAT ONE TIME KEY WONT BE REMOVED USING THESE METHODS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS SLOWER THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 26, 2020
I JUST PURCHASED MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER ON 6/13/20 AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON 6/25/20 THE WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK FROM A SEMI TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I DID NOT SEE ANY VISIBLE DAMAGE AT THE TIME BUT THE NEXT DAY A VERY LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD ALMOST A FOOT AND A HALF LONG. IN SPEAKING WITH OTHER SUBARU OWNERS I HAD NOT REALIZED WHAT A MASSIVE AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE THIS IS FOR SUBARU WINDSHIELDS. I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE OCCUR THIS INSTANTLY ON A WINDSHIELD FROM SUCH A MINOR IMPACT. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2020
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN "PARK", THE KEY COULD NOT BE EXTRACTED FROM THE IGNITION. PUTTING THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WAS OF NO HELP. I WAS SOMETIMES ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN EXTRACT THE KEY, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. MY CHOICES WERE TO RETURN HOME OR LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN IT WHILE DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE THIS MAY SEEM MORE AN INCONVENIENCE THAN A SAFETY ISSUE, ON SOME OCCASIONS THIS RESULTED IN MY BATTERY BECOMING SO WEAK THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK LEAVING ME STRANDED UNTIL I COULD FIND SOMEONE TO HELP ME JUMP OFF MY CAR. AFTER THREE OF THESE INCIDENTS, I BEGAN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES WHEN I COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SUBARUS OF VARIOUS MODELS. THEY SAID THAT THE GUIDE PLATE IN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY KEPT THOSE PARTS IN STOCK. THEY DID REPLACE THE GUIDE PLATE WHICH CORRECTED THE ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS: IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (WITH A CORRECTION COST OF $500) WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? I PERSONALLY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED ALL BUT $100 OF THE REPAIR, BUT PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL HAVE TO PAY THE FULL $500 JUST TO GET A KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SUBARU NOW USES A DIFFERENT GUIDE PLATE IN THE LATEST MODELS. SUBARU KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE CARS THAT ARE 2-3 YEARS OLD. THEY NEED TO BE HONEST WITH CONSUMERS SO THAT THEY DON'T RISK BEING STRANDED DUE TO A WEAKENED BATTERY BECAUSE OF FAULTY GUIDE PLATES AND THEY NEED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 24, 2020
SMELL OF GASOLINE AT STARTUP. THE CAR HAS ONLY 30000 MILES ON IT AND SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM/ISSUE WITH SUBARUS OF ALL MAKES/MODELS. THIS WAS NOT IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER IN JULY 2017 ON M22 LOCATED IN MICHIGAN MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2020
THE KEY FOB GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE TAKEN OUT. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE DRIVE SHIFTER TO GO IN AND OUT OF PARK POSITION UNTIL IT FINALLY TURNS AND COMES OUT. PLEASE REFERENCE TSB 16-112-18R. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 10, 2020
SPONTANEOUS REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. *TR
Air bags, Jun 3, 2020
SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH NO OTHER PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 2, 2020
WITH CAR STOPPED AND ENGINE RUNNING BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR IF STEADY PRESSURE IS APPLIED. DEALER SAW THIS BUT TOLD ME "THEY ALL DO THAT". IF THAT IS TRUE THAN SUBARU HAS A PROBLEM AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Engine, May 27, 2020
AFTER ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY WILL NOT REMOVE. AFTER SOME MANHANDLING OF THE SHIFTER AND TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF, EVENTUALLY, I AM ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS IS OCCURRING 80% OF THE TIME NOW. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 37,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. *TR
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 17, 2020
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH IN TOWN. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, AS I WENT TO BREAK THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT SEEMED TO SPEED UP. IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE ON THE BREAK TO STOP COMPLETELY.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 16, 2020
WHEN IN MOTION COMING TO A STOP ON LOCAL STREET, HITTING BRAKES, FORESTER MAKES SOUNDS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS BUT MORE ON FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA NEEDING TO BRAKE HARDER. WIFE AND SON WERE ON FREEWAY IN MOTION, HITTING BRAKES MADE CLICK CLICK SOUND AND HAVING TO BRAKE HARDER COMING TO A FULL STOP WIFE *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2020
TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, NO CRUISE CONTROL SET. MAINTAINING 70-73 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT MY CAR SURGE, SPEED UP ON ITS OWN. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL BRIEFLY AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SURGE. I HEARD THE ENGINE MAKE ACCELERATION SOUND LIKE I WAS SPEEDING OFF A RAMP TO GET ON TO A HIGHWAY. CONFUSED AS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON, I STEPPED ON MY BRAKE TWICE. I THEN NOTICED I HAD CONTROL AGAIN OF THE SPEED. I WASN'T REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED. *TR
Engine, May 13, 2020
WE HAVE A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER XT TOURING MODEL 2.0 TURBO ENGINE WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. WIFE AND SON WERE TRAVELING TO A WEDDING WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NO SOONER DID LIGHT COME ON HEAVY SMOKE FILLED INSIDE OF CAR FROM AIR VENTS HEAVY SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD ALSO WAITED FOR SMOKE TO CLEAR NOTICED OIL ALL OVER ENGINE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND SAID THERE WAS A HOLE IN ENGINE BLOCK I ASKED HIM HOW COULD HAPPEN HE SAID IT COULD BE FAULTY ENGINE THIS VEHICLE IS A FIRE HAZARD MY FAMILY COULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY BEEN INJURED IF VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING OR PASSED OUT DUE TO HEAVY SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING ON PAVED BLACK SURFACE ROAD THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED COMPLETELY. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2020
CONTINUOUS BATTERY DRAINAGE ISSUES. OVER THE PAST HALF A YEAR I'VE HAD 3 BATTERY REPLACEMENTS. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE FIRST BATTERY REPLACEMENT HAPPENED BUT HAS SINCE THEN LAPSED. IN ALL OF THE CASES, THE BATTERY WOULD DIE AFTER 2-3 DAYS OF NOT STARTING THE CAR. DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. *TR
Power train, Apr 26, 2020
CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 24000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TOWARDS BOTTOM NEAR DASH. NOTHING WAS DETECTED THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSE GLASS TO CRACK. OWNED CAR SINCE BRAND NEW AND HAVE HAD THIS SAME TYPE OF CRACK HAPPEN IN TWO WINDSHIELDS.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2020
AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE UNABLE TO TURN KEY ALL THE WAY BACK TO REMOVE. HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT IT. SUBARU HAS A TSB 16-112-18R FOR THIS. IT'S BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS. MY BROTHER HAS A SUBARU WITH SAME PROBLEM. CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME YOU DRIVE IT.