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, Apr 6, 2018
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PERIODICALLY TURNS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND SUBARU HAS CONTACTED US ABOUT THE ISSUE. WHEN WE TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN INTERFERENCE ISSUE RELATED TO CELL PHONES AND OTHER DEVICES AND THAT IF IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WE SHOULD BRING IT IN TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED. IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, IT REMAINS THAT WAY UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT IS ON WHEN YOU START THE CAR; SOMETIMES IT COMES ON QUICKLY, AND OTHER TIMES WE DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME AND EVEN GO WEEKS WITHOUT NOTICING IT. BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS AFFECTED, IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 3, 2018
CANNOT TURN OFF DISTRACTION OF A NOISY STEREO WHILE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN REVERSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL DESIGN FEATURE THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS.
Air bags, Mar 31, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN WE ARE DRIVING WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT PASSENGER. OUR STARLINK SYSTEM IS CONSTANTLY ALERTING THE DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM.WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES.THEY TELL US THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM.ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THANK YOU BILL
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2018
OWN A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, WE HAVE LESS THAN 11,000 MILES AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. A SMALL STONE HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, QUICKLY ENDS UP IN A 24" TO 30" LONG LINEAR CRACK UNLIKE MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES. WE ARE IN PROCESS OF REPLACING 3RD WINDSHIELD GLASS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT THERE MAY BE AN OEM DEFECT. THIS LONG CRACK CREATES DANGER VISION PROBLEM. EVERY WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRES RE-CALIBRATION OF EYESIGHT TOO. THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON INSURANCE AS WELL AS OWNERS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. WE REQUEST THAT CONSUMER PRODUCT RECALL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE ASAP.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2018
WHILE DRIVING SUBARU FORESTER 2017, A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND SMALL CRACK QUICKLY TURNED INTO 24" TO 30" LONG LINEAR CRACK AND AS A RESULT ENDED UP REPLACING WIND SHIELD GLASS AND RE-CALIBRATION OF EYESIGHT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN LAST 8 MONTHS. IT APPEARS TO BE AN OEM ISSUE. UNLIKE MY OTHER TWO VEHICLES, THEY HAD SIMILAR ISSUE HOWEVER THE CRACK WAS SHIELD BY PROFESSIONALS AND NEVER DEVELOPED LINEAR CRACK.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2018, crash
AFTER BACKING UP IN A GAS STATION, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL WITH THE INTENTION OF MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY. I FELT THE GAS PETAL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN ALL BY ITSELF - THE CAR TOOK OFF! I HIT A LANDSCAPE BOX TRUCK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2018
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED, MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE (NOT AWARE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ONE TIME CAME OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED IT WAS CRACKED). IT ALSO WAS SEVERELY CHIPPED ONE TIME BEFORE (2500 MILES). SO IT HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 2 TIMES WITHIN 16,000 MILES AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR OWNERSHIP.
Engine, Dec 12, 2017
UPON STARTING, RPM SURGED TO OVER 4500, AND THERE WAS LOUD GRINDING NOISE, SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYING ITSELF. SOUNDED LIKE SEVERE METAL TO METAL SLAPPING WITH VIBRATION THAT STOPPED WHEN KEY TURNED OFF IGNITION. SUBSEQUENT START APPEARED NORMAL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AT 30F, DATE OF OCCURANCE 11/22/2017, 4930 MILES SINCE NEW. CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS STATIONARY. FACTORY APPROVED DEALER SERVICE RESULT "NO PROBLEM FOUND AT THIS TIME". I FEEL AS IF ITS DEPENDABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 20, 2017
I WAS MERGING ON I-95 AT 4PM AND IT WAS RAINING, I WAS ACCELERATING INTO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN THE RIGHT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY 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, NOR THE BLUETOOTH OR SOS CALL LINE. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. IF I HAD BEEN IN THE MIDDLE LANE OR NO WHERE TO PULL OFF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC . I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY A GLITCH, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A GLITCH AT 70 MPH. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2017
CAR STALLS, MOSTLY IN INTERSECTIONS WHEN WE TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, MID-TURN. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL, PLASTIC, IS DANGEROUSLY-SLIPPERY, EXPECIALLY DURING THOSE STALLS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN PANIC SETS IN.
Structure, Oct 16, 2017
BOUGHT NEW FORESTER IN MAY 2017. WINDSHIELD CRACKED @ JULY 2017. REPLACEMENT CRACKED OCTOBER 2017. SUBARU DENIED COVERAGE BOTH TIMES. FIRST WINDSHIELD I WAS MOVING ON HIGHWAY BUT UNAWARE OF BEING STRUCK BY ANYTHING. IT WAS NEARLY 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND AC WAS ON NICE 68 DEGREES. SECOND WINDSHIELD APPEARED TO CRACK WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. SECOND WINDSHIELD LEAKED. CRACK IS NEAR WHERE LEAK WAS "FIXED."
Air bags, Oct 5, 2017
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JULY 2017 WITH 8800 MILES. ONE WEEK AFTER DELIVERY, MY SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT MORNING. THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID THERE IS SOMETHING FAULTY IN THE SEAT CUSHION & A NEW ONE IS ON ORDER, BUT WITH NO DELIVERY TIME PROVIDED. IT'S ALREADY BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THE ORDER WAS PLACED - NOT SURE WHAT THE REAL ISSUE IS. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS RANDOM AT FIRST BUT, NOW IT'S ON CONTINUOUSLY. I JUST HOPE EVERYONE IS PROTECTED IN MY CAR, IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE IF I CAN GET ANY ADDITIONAL ANSWERS.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2017
MY AIR BAG (SRS) WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON REPEATEDLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT WAS MENTIONED AT THE 5000 MILE SERVICE, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. I AUGUST 2017 IT BEGAN STAYING ON MOST OF THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR TO TIMMONS SUBARU IN LONG BEACH, CA, WHERE I WAS TOLD A PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION HAD TO BE ORDERED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE THREE WEEKS WITH NO PROGRESS, AND THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVE MULTIPLE VEHICLES IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL.
Steering, Sep 13, 2017
I WAS ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY, ROUTE 90, IN NEW YORK STATE HEADING EAST ON AUGUST 8, 2017, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH. I WAS GOING STRAIGHT IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. I REACHED OVER WITH RIGHT HAND TO ADJUST VOLUME KNOB ON RADIO AND NOTICED VEHICLE DRIFTING SLIGHTLY TO RIGHT. I PULLED STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT TO ADJUST CAR AND VEHICLE VEERED SHARPLY INTO ADJOINING LANE (ON LEFT SIDE OF TRAVELLING LANE) AND THEN I COULD NOT IT STEER BACK INTO THE TRAVELLING LANE. IT SEEMED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE STEERING: IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL, STEADIED IT, AND I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER INCIDENTS. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE ADJOINING LANE WHEN THE MY CAR VEERED INTO IT. THIS WAS REPORTED TO NATIONAL SUBARU ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2017.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ITSELF AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PROFILE SUBARU (1323 NH-16, CONWAY, NH 03818 (603) 447-3845), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2017
07/03/17 FIRST OIL CHANGE. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION. 07/14 CAR STALLS WHILE MERGING INTO ROUNDABOUT. RESTART CAR & IT RUNS OK. 07/15 CAR STALLS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ENTERING INTERSECTION. TURN OFF EYESIGHT & CAR RUNS. DO NOT DRIVE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. BRING CAR TO DEALER 07/20. 07/26 PICK UP CAR. NO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION. STALLING PERHAPS DUE TO MOUSE'S NEST OR AN OIL OVERFILL. 08/02 CAR STALLS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. WON'T RUN WITH OR WITHOUT EYESIGHT. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. PROBLEMS REPORTED TO SUBARU MAIN OFFICE. 08/14 CAR STILL AT DEALER WITH NO RESOLUTION YET. UNLESS A SPECIFIC CAUSE & FIX TO THIS PROBLEM IS FOUND I WILL NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN. I HAVE A WORD DOCUMENT WITH ALL THE DETAILS BUT AM UNABLE TO ATTACH IT TO THIS FORM.
Seats, Jul 12, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I AM A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AND IN THE HEALTH FIELD FOR VERY LONG TIME. SUBARU ALONG WITH OTHER CAR COMPANIES ARE USING THE NEW MANDATED FORWARD -HEAD REST . IT SHOULD MANDATED THAT THE HEAD REST ALSO COME WITH 2 OR 3 (FORWARD AND BACK ADJUSTMENT OPTIONS) ALL YOU CAN DO IS MOVE UP OR DOWN. I AM TINY. I HAVE TO SIT CLOSE TO THE WHEEL--AND THIS HEADREST JUTS ME FORWARD AND HAS CAUSED ME HORRIBLE NECK PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. I AM 39 YEARS OLD. I KNOW THIS WAS TESTED ON DUMMIES AND IT FOR PREVENTION OF WHIPLASH-- BUT CAN CAR COMPANIES --MAKE THEM ADJUSTABLE??????????? FORWARD AND BACK ??????? NOT JUST UP AND DOWN. FORWARD HEAD POSTURE IS ALSO LEADING TO HORRIBLE POSTURE PROBLEMS, ARTHRITIS, NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES FROM THE SPINAL CORD BEING SQUEEZED FROM FORWARD HEAD WHICH IS ALREADY HAPPENING FROM TEXTING AND COMPUTER USE... I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS GOT PASSED ? I HAVE TO PLAY IN SO MANY WAYS AND TURN THE HEADREST BACKWARDS AND HAVE TRIED TO USE THE BACK SEAT HEADREST .... NHTSA...MAY READ THIS AND GO----WHIPLASH ETC.. BUT THIS IS SO UPSETTING AND DISTRESSING ---FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH....MY NECK IS IN TERRIBLE SPASM ... CHANGE HEAD REST SETTINGS
Steering, Jul 4, 2017
STEERING STICKS WHILE IN A TURN AND RESISTS THE DRIVERS INPUT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL, CAUSING EITHER FAILURE TO STRAIGHTEN ON DEMAND OR OVER-STEERING TO OPPOSITE SIDE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STRAIGHTEN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AND VARIES IN BOTH FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY, AND TYPICALLY OCCURS DURING EACH USE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MALFUNCTION SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY DURING SUSTAINED LEFT TURNS, AND IS MOST PROBLEMATIC ON CURVY ROADS WHERE FAILURE TO STRAIGHTEN WHEELS OR OVER-STEERING TO OPPOSITE SIDE COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHILE IN A TURNING MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND ON CURVY HIGHWAYS, USUALLY WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED MORE THAN ~20 DEGREES AND SUSTAINED BRIEFLY. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE SUBARU DEALER. THEY DROVE AND INSPECTED THE CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO FIX OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS NEW AND WAS RECEIVED ON 06/09/2017.
Engine, Jun 2, 2017
CAR STALLS WHEN MAKING HARD LEFT TURN WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS CAR WAS STOPPED AND LURKED LEFT. COULD EAILY REPEAT THE PROBLEM IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. FILLED GAS TANK AND PROBLEM DISSAPEARED.
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2017
WHEN CLOSING REAR POWER LIFT GATE, A STROLLER FELL PARTLY OUT OF THE TRUNK. I INSTINCTIVELY GRABBED IT, AND THE GATE HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND STARTED TO SLAM ME INTO THE CAR BEFORE I COULD PULL MY HEAD OUT. THE DOOR DID NOT STOP CLOSING. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU INSTRUCTION MANUAL, THE REAR GATE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY BY ENTRAPMENT. THE DOOR DID NOT STOP WHEN ENCOUNTERING RESISTANCE (MY HEAD). THE DEALER SAYS THAT I CANNOT CHANGE THIS TO A MANUAL CONTROL REAR HATCH WITHOUT DESTROYING THE STRUTS THAT HOLD THE DOOR UP. I CAN CLOSE IT MANUALLY AS LONG AS I REMEMBER TO TAKE THE HEIGHT CONTROL OFF WITH A BUTTON ON THE FRONT DASH EVERY TIME I USE THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE. WHEN HEIGHT CONTROL IS ON, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE REAR DOOR BEFORE IT OPENS FULLY AND THEREFORE MUST BE USED IN OUR GARAGE, YOU CANNOT CLOSE IT MANUALLY. SINCE IT CLOSES SLOWLY (8 SECONDS -- LONG FOR CLOSING A DOOR), YOU HAVE TO BE VERY AWARE OF CHILDREN'S MOVEMENTS, WHICH ARE OFTEN RAPID, AND SUPPRESS YOUR OWN REACTIONS IF SOMETHING STARTS TO FALL OUT. THE DOOR SHOULD STOP READILY IF IT ENCOUNTERS AN OBJECT EVEN AS SMALL AS A FINGER OR ELSE IT SHOULD BE MANUAL AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO STOP IT AT DIFFERENT HEIGHTS WHEN OPENING IT MANUALLY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 16, 2017, crash
DRIVER'S SUBARU WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A BOX TRUCK WHILE STATIONARY ON A HIGHWAY (DRIVER HAD STOPPED JUST SHORT OF A MULTI-CAR COLLISION BUT THE BOX TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS UNABLE TO STOP); BOX TRUCK PUSHED THE SUBARU INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SEATBELT WAS ON, BUT DRIVER'S CHEST STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER HEAD POSSIBLY HIT THE SIDE WINDOW. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEATBELT DID NOT STOP DRIVER FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE EMPTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ROCKETED FORWARD ON ITS RAILS ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT, AND AT LEAST THREE HINGES FLEW OFF THE PASSENGER SEAT RAIL MECHANISM.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 10, 2017
FORESTER - 500 MILES - CONSISTENT AND CONTINUING PROBLEMS: CAR LURCHES FORWARD ON ITS OWN IN FIRST GEAR. - IN MOTION ENGINE NOT ONLY HAS EXCESSIVE (CAN LAST 5 SECONDS OR MORE) "REV-HANGS" SHIFTING UP FROM ANY GEAR BUT ACTUALLY INCREASES BY 700-900 RPMS. THIS HAS CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN SLOWING DOWN (REDUCING SPEED WITH DOWNSHIFT). WHEN USING BRAKE TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO RACE, INCREASING UP TO 1500 OR MORE RPMS, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. - IN MOTION 4TH GEAR - STICK SHIFT VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY - SO MUCH SO IT IS VISIBLE TO THE EYE AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL HAVE TO WEAR OUT FROM THE FRICTION, - IN MOTION (INTERMITTENT) WHEN VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL ENGAGES ON UPWARD INCLINE A VERY LOUD (MULTIPLE) BANGING OCCURS AT THE REA CAR LURCHES . - TURNING, IN MOTION. ENGINE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD COMPARED TO OTHER 2017 FORESTERS I HAVE DRIVEN.CAN SOUND LIKE IT IS READY TO THROW A ROD IN THE NEAR FUTURE - IN MOTION AND STATIONARY SUBARU STATES ALL IS NORMAL. SERVICE MANAGE AT DEALER STATES LOUD ENGINE IS DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL FOR THE 2017 MODEL AND HE EXPERIENCE THE EXCESSIVE REV-HANG BUT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL ARE NORMAL.
Structure, Mar 5, 2017
ON MARCH 1, 2017 I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER PROCEEDING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND REACHING A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH I HEARD AN ALERT IN MY CAR, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HEARD CARS BEHIND ME SOUNDING THEIR HORNS. I QUICKLY LOOKED UP INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT THE TAILGATE OF MY CAR HAD OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING MY DOG TO FALL OUT OF THE BACK. THIS OCCURRED AFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MILES WITHOUT EVER RECEIVING A DASHBOARD ALERT THAT THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN. THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRONIC ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB AND THE DOORS WON'T UNLOCK, OR THE CAR WON'T START AND I GET AN ALERT THAT THERE IS NO KEY DETECTED (WHEN IT IS IN THE CUP HOLDER MERE INCHES FROM THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION START.) TWICE THE FASTEN SEAT BELT ALERT HAS LIGHTED AND CHIMED, WHEN THE DRIVER HAS THE SEAT-BELT FASTENED AND THERE ARE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. OFTENTIMES THE TAILGATE WON'T OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB OR BY UTILIZING THE OUTSIDE BUTTON - ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY IT TOOK ME SEVERAL MINUTES OF FUSSING WITH ALL THE CONTROLS BEFORE I COULD GET THE TAILGATE TO OPEN AT ALL. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TAILGATE OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I RECALL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY IS THAT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DIPPED INTO A POTHOLE WITH A SIGNIFICANT JARRING.
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2017
SUBARU OF AMERICA DOES NOT CURRENTLY OFFER AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AS AN OPTION ON ITS FORESTER PREMIUM TRIM. SUBARU OF AMERICA'S PARTS DEPARTMENT (PARTS.SUBARU.COM), LISTS THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SENSOR AND SWITCH AS COMPATIBLE WITH THE FORESTER PREMIUM AND GIVES CONSUMERS DETAILS ON OFFICIAL DEALERSHIPS WHERE THESE PARTS CAN BE PURCHASED. SUBARU OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, HOWEVER, CLAIMS THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE 2017 FORESTER PREMIUM, THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS IS TO UPGRADE TO THE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE LIMITED TRIM. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE PARTS DEPARTMENT IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE PARTS SALES, OR WHETHER CUSTOMER SERVICE IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING CUSTOMERS IN THE HOPES OF SELLING CARS WITH HIGHER MSRP; EITHER WAY, SUBARU OF AMERICA IS MISLEADING CONSUMERS ABOUT SPARE/REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR A SAFETY CRITICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2017, fire
ENGINE LOW LEVEL OIL LIGHT CAME ON A FEW TIMES WHEN I DROVE UP MY DRIVEWAY OR OVER A FEW INCHES OF SNOW. MANUALLY INSPECTED OIL LEVELS THE FIRST FEW TIMES AND RESTARTED ENGINE. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD GO AWAY. WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE AND ALWAYS WENT AWAY WHEN PARKED ON FLAT SURFACE AND RESTARTED VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO LOUD ENGINE SOUND, KNOCKING SOUND OR SMOKE. PAGE 3-19 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT MIGHT ILLUMINATE TEMPORARILY WHEN DRIVING ON INCLINED SURFACE. ONE DAY 15 MINUTES INTO MY COMMUTE ON A FREEWAY I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND THEN HEARD SERVER KNOCKING , SMOKE AND THEN THE WHOLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT FIRE IN A FEW MINUTES. I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU AND FORMALLY FILED A COMPLAINT. INSURANCE HAS DETERMINED IT IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.