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.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER A PASSENGER WAS SEATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED DUNNING SUBARU (3771 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER, IT WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019
RECALL NOTICE VIA US MAIL, ALSO READ ABOUT ANOTHER RECALL THAT WILL BE COMING, I BELIEVE THE BOXER ENGINE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2019
THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD OF MY FORESTER SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE PARKED A FEW MONTHS AGO. MY INSURANCE FULLY COVERED THE REPAIR. THE REPLACEMENT AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD FROM SAFELITE ONLY LASTED A FEW MORE MONTHS BEFORE IT TOO GOT CHIPPED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE HIT AND NEEDED REPAIR. THE THIRD WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND FINALLY, THE FOURTH TIME, I GOT AN OEM WINDSHIELD INSTALLED WHICH IS STILL INTACT. I INCURRED NO COSTS DUE TO INSURANCE BUT THIS IS VERY AGGRAVATING! IT'S HARD TO GET A RELIABLE REPLACEMENT GLASS ON THE AFTERMARKET, WHICH IS ALL INSURANCE PAYS FOR UNLESS YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS LIKE I DID, ONLY THEN WILL YOU GET OEM. AND I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL LAST! THE GLASS SEEMS BRITTLE - THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM HERE.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE PENDING AND WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 01/13/2020. *DL
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 1, 2019, crash
ON OCTOBER 4, 2019 MY CAR WAS PARKED AND THE PASSENGER REAR BUMPER WAS HIT AND DAMAGED BY A SCHOOL BUS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES TO GET FIXED AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE BSD/RCTA SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS "FIXED" THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES NOW AND I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 5TH TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2019
I PURCHASE MY 2017 FORESTER FROM THE ANNAPOLIS DEALER AS A USED LOANER CAR WITH LESS THAN 7000 MILES WITH THE ORIGINAL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. AFTER READING ABOUT WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS I STARTED CHECKING THE WINDSHIELD ON MY FORESTER. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HAIRLINE CRACKS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND BEST SEEN IN LOW SUNLIGHT WITH THE LIGHT IS REFRACTED BY THE CRACKS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER BUT WILL AT THE NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 24, 2019
WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED SPARKLING TYPE FAULT THAT COMPROMISED ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY THRU THE WINDSHIELD. ESPECIALLY SEVERE IN NIGHT DRIVING OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUBARU REPLACED WINDSHIELD AS A "COURTESY" TO ME. THE SAME CONDITION IS NOW PREVALENT IN THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD. I KNOW THE DEALER WILL TELL ME IT IS ANOTHER FAULT, NOT THE MANUFACTURING OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED PARKWAY SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (910-968-0758, LOCATED AT 2400 N MARINE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 7, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER COLLIDED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED LEFT HAND AND LEFT LEG AS WELL AS SHOULDER INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD, RIGHT HAND, AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *DT *TR*JB
Air bags, Nov 6, 2019
CALLED DEALER ABOUT RECALL. THEY STATED NO FIX WAS AVAILABLE. WHEN I ASKED WHEN IT WOULD BE THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION IN LATE DECEMBER (RECALL DATE WAS OCT 3). AT THAT POINT THE FIX WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE BUT THEY COULD TELL ME IF AND WHEN IT MIGHT BE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TIMELY FOR A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. NOTE DEALER WAS PROFESSIONAL. MY ISSUE IS WITH SUBARU CORPORATION. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 19V701000. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS WUM98. RECALL IS FOR NON FUNCTIONING AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER SIDE.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MASTRIA SUBARU (1255 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SHIFT PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,900.*DT CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED.*JB
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACK
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2019
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT I'VE HAD IT. I'VE NEEDED TO USE SAFELITE TO SEAL THE CRACKS BUT I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL CHIPS AND SCRATCHES.
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2019
CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE STATIONARY AT HOME.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
I AM REPORTING TO SEPARATE INCIDENCES. BOTH INCIDENCES ARE BECAUSE OF A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD, CREATING A BULLET-SIZED CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. ONE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON COUNTY ROADS. THE FIRST BULLET HOLE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD INTO A CRACK THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF MY WINDSHIELD PERIOD THE MORE RECENT BULLET HOLE CRACK WILL MOST LIKELY DO THE SAME.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANYTHING AND WAS NEVER IN A COLLISION, BUT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES IN LENGTH BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM EDGE ABOUT 1 FOOT FROM THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER AND ANGLING UP AND LEFTWARD. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED AN EXPENSIVE ($425) REPLACEMENT AS THE CRACK WAS TOO LONG FOR REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH LANE DEPARTURE AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE, WHICH THE REPAIR SHOP CITED AS THE REASON FOR THE VERY HIGH PRICE. NOTABLE AT THE SHOP WAS THAT THE CAR BEFORE MINE AND AFTER MINE WERE THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000(AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT IT EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION ON OCTOBER 3, 2019. BILL KOLB JR. SUBARU (252 NY-303, ORANGEBURG, NY 10962, (845) 359-7777) STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
MY 2.5 YEAR OLD 2017 SUBARU FORESTER HAS ALREADY HAS THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED 2X WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BY SEATTLE. BOTH TIMES I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED BY SAFELITE. EACH TIME IT WAS A TINY THING THAT HAD APPARENTLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility, Oct 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED AND, MOMENTS LATER, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
A SMALL ROCK FROM THE HIGHWAY HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED IMMEDIATELY. THE CRACK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. WE HAVE HAD OTHER CARD BE HIT BY ROCKS, ONES THAT HAVE BEEN A LOT BIGGER AND HAVE HARDER IMPACTS THAT DID NOT CRACK OR CHIP THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKING
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WHILE PARKED, THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF 2017 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES FOR NO REASON. HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AFTER HITTING A DEER. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO APPARENT REASON WHILE CAR WAS PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2019
PEBBLE THROWN TO WINDOW AND STARTED AS A LIL CHIP AND WITHIN TRIP HOME ENTIRE CRACK THROUGH WINDSHIELD FROM TOP TO BOTTOM OF GLASS. I WAS DRIVING ENTIRE TIME OF CRACK SPREADING!