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, Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
THE 2017 FORESTER WAS PARKED AND HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WEEK. WHILE PARKED THE TEMPERATURE FELL TO 30 DEGREES F AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP. THIS IS IN MASON COUNTY WASHINGTON STATE NOTICED FEB 21 2020
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. UNKNOWN SOURCE OF HOW IT HAPPENED. NOT FROM ANY TYPE OF DEBRIS.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA SUBARU OF FRESNO LOCATED AT 5200 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710 (559) 540-7189, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,440.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON I-75 SOUTH NEAR LAKE CITY, FL A SMALL PEBBLE STRUCK AND CRACKED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE HAVE A WELL KNOWN HISTORY OF WEAKNESS AS WELL AS FRAGILITY AND CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE SUBARU OUTBACK OF SAME VINTAGE HAS REACHED SETTLEMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FORESTER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD THE CRACK REPAIRED THE SAME DAY TO PREVENT IT FROM GETTING BIGGER. I AM ATTACHING A RECEIPT FOR REPAIR AND A POST REPAIR PHOTO OF THE DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD RESULTING IN LOSS OF CAMERAS (EYE SIGHT)
Power train, Service brakes, Jan 24, 2020
WHEN BREAKING, THE CAR ACELLERATED ON A CITY STREET AND A SECOND TIME IN A VERY BUSY PARKING LOT! FORTUATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT> HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO LATER REPORTED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR UNTILL MORE IS INVESTIGATED.
Air bags, Jan 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF BEND LOCATED AT BEND 2060 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,199.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN 19V701000 (AIR BAGS) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED FIRST TEAM AUTO MALL DEALER, (6520 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24019, (540) 362-4800) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE MANUFACTURER FROM THE DEALER WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT ABOUT THE PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECTS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2020
THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER YOU TURN THE CAR OFF.
Air bags, Jan 6, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAME ON WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. IT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY OR MOVING. SOMETIMES IT WOULD RESET ON ITS OWN BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS THE COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING HAS COME ON AND WON'T GO AWAY. FOUND OUT ONLINE THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO PUT TO TASK AS THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT DOING ENOUGH AND ARE PLAYING WITH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. WHEN I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (SUBARU OF GRAPEVINE) THEY OUTRIGHT WANTED MONEY FOR DIAGNOSING A PROBLEM THEY KNEW WAS PREEXISTING. THIS CLEARLY REFLECTS THE ATTITUDE OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER TOWARDS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 3, 2020
SMALL CHIP DRIVING AUG 2017AFTER PARKING TURNED INTO LONG CRACKS JULY 2018 SMALL CHIP DRIVING TURNED INTO LONG CRACK AFTER PARKING
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2019
WINDSHIELD PRESENTED WITH LARGE CRACK OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN ON 4/3/18. WAS REPLACED BY SAFE LITE REPAIR WITH OEM GLASS. CRACKED AGAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND WAS REPLACED BY LOCAL AUTO BODY.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2019
2017 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 29, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS, 70 MPH, GAS WAS AT ABOUT 1/8 FULL, BUT LOW GAS LIGHT ON. THE GEAR SHIFTER REMAINED IN D AND THE INDICATOR ON THE DASH SAID D. THE ENGINE REVVED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, ALONG WITH POSSIBLY OTHERS. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW SINCE IT WAS JUST REVVING IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEUTRAL WHILE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. EVENTUALLY I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. IT STRUGGLED TO START FOR A MOMENT LIKE THE BATTERY WAS LOW OR IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE, BUT STILL STARTED ON THE FIRST TRY. I SHIFTED INTO D AND BEGAN TO MOVE ON THE SHOULDER, BUT WHEN THE CAR WHEN OVER ABOUT 10 OR 15 MPH, IT WOULD REV AND NOT PROVIDE POWER TO THE WHEELS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADDED GAS, TEST DROVE IT, SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, AND NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD IS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND WILL CRACK ACROSS WITH IMPACTS THAT OTHER CARS CAN SUSTAIN. 3 WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS REQUIRED IN 18 MONTHS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 26, 2019
12/11/19 2PM DRIVING AT 55MPH SOUTH ON ROUTE 321 BETWEEN KANE, PA AND WILCOX, PA. NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, NO STONE CHIPS. NOTICED 6" L SHAPED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. DEFROSTER WAS ON. NEXT MORNING THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 14" AND GROWING.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 24, 2019
SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH IT IT'S ALWAYS SAYING THAT A KEY IS NOT DETECTED EVEN THOUGH THE KEYS RIGHT NEXT TO IT OR UNDERNEATH THAT THEY ALREADY HAS BEEN A TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE ALSO THE BALANCE OF THE CAR HAS BEEN OFF-BALANCE SO I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THEM WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON WHEN IT WAS SUMMER IS THERE MAKING A WEIRD NOISE I RECORDED THE NOISE I SHOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PROOF THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT BUT I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WAS COMING FROM ALSOALSO A LITTLE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CAME OUT LIKE ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THAT UNTIL NOW AND WHEN I START OUT MY CAR AND I HAD TO DO IT AT THE FIRST BREAK AT A STOP SIGN MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND THEN IT STOPPED SHAKING AND THEN THAT'S THE ONLY TIME DOES THE SHAKINESS I'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS FORRESTER 2017 THEY TRY TO FIX IT ISSUES BUT WHEN THEY FIX IT SOMETHING NEW ALWAYS COMES UP.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALONG THE TOP CENTER WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY ANYTHING. THE SUBARU DEALER ARRANGED FOR A THIRD PARTY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT MY EXPENSE AND THEN CHARGED ME $360 TO READJUST THE SAFETY VISION THROUGH THE NEW WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS DONE THROUGH MY INSURANCE WHICH CAUSED MY INSURANCE TO GO UP. AT NO TIME DID ANYONE TELL ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THESE WINDSHIELDS BREAKING SPONTANEOUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE THE SERVICE INVOICE FROM 16 APRIL 2019.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKS DEVELOP TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 21, 2019
MY CAR STOLE IN THE MIDDLE OFF HIGHWAY ON A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC TIME,, I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, FINALLY IT MOVED VERY SLOWLY AND STOP AGAIN, I ALMOST GOT HIT MANY TIMES SINCE VEHICLES WERE SPEEDING OVER 65MILES AND NO ONE WILL ALLOW ME TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER, FINALLY AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, VERY SCARY SITUACIN
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 19, 2019
ON A LONG TRIPS (200 MILES OF INTERSTATE DRIVING) THE CAR LOSES IT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE DOES NOT WORK AND VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO IDLE. YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK IN TO DRIVE. IT WORKS AFTER THAT. DURING THE FAILURE YOU LOSE ALL ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND NOT CODES ARE SHOWN. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 17, 2019
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THUS FAR, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 93 IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER TOURING (WITH 21K MILES) LOST POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. ALL THREE TIMES, I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY WHILE AVOIDING OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES AND NEITHER MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS NOR ANYONE ELSE AROUND US WAS HURT. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECIDES TO SHUTDOWN, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DROPS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, THE RPMS SHOOT UP TO ABOUT 4500-5000 AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP. THERE IS ABOUT A FIVE SECOND WINDOW TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY FROM WHEN YOU FIRST DETECT THAT THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE INCIDENT, I AM ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AND DRIVE IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE (AND IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN IT HAPPENS) AND I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ASKING FOR A SOLUTION. I AM NOW CURRENTLY ONLY USING THE CAR ON SHORT TRIPS AND IF I HAVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, I STICK TO THE RIGHT LANE AND DO NOT GO OVER 60 MPH.
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2019
BATTERY DRAINS SO THAT CAR WON'T START. AFTER HAVING A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, THE BATTERY IS STILL SO WEAK THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START, AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER IS COMPLETELY DRAINED. EVEN THE CLOCK HAS TO BE RESET. THIS STARTED AROUND 35,000 MILES. I STOPPED FOR GAS AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, AND THE CAR WON'T START WITHOUT A JUMP.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 10, 2019
WHILE STATIONARY, THE KEY WILL GET STUCK. IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN THE CAR OFF.IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPEN TWICE , I M SURE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2019
TWICE TODAY WHEN CAR WAS OFF, IN PARK, WITH PARK BRAKE APPLIED, IGNITION WOULD NOT ALLOW KEY TO RELEASE. 'FIX' WAS TO RESTART CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN BACK TO PARK ONE OR MORE TIMES UNTIL KEY COULD FINALLY BE REMOVED.