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.
Suspension, Nov 22, 2024
The control arms on my 2017 Subaru Forester started malfunctioning at a relatively low mileage (~48K miles) and need to be replaced. This seems to be a common issue with Subaru Forester and Outback models manufactured between 2014 and 2019: - [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] - [XXX] There are many similar complaints and discussions online. My family has used our car in the San Francisco Bay Area exclusively for commuting. The roads here are in decent condition, and the climate is far from severe. The fact that these parts wore out so quickly suggests a possible manufacturing defect. I wonder why there hasn’t been a recall on these parts, given the potentially fatal implications. The car begins shaking on highways at speeds of 55–65 mph, making it feel as though the wheels might fall off. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Nov 6, 2024
My subaru forester started smelling and rattling loud. My mechanic told me it could be the muffler. I took it to the muffler shop and it was the catalytic converter. I had to pay $800 to fix it but my friend who had the same exact car had it replaced at Subaru for free. My car is under 8 years old and 100,000 miles. I read that it should be covered by Subaru. I called them and they never replied and wanted to charge $299 just for a diagnostic check. There should have been a recall notice on the Subaru Forester 2017. It's catalytic converter is faulty. I had to smell the fumes and so did my grandson.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2024
When I park my car, I have to press extremely hard on the brake pedal before I move the gear shift into park. If I do not, it will not let me remove my keys from the ignition and the car stays on. It seems as though the keys get stuck and the car will not turn off. I have not taken it in for servicing yet. It started happening after I got it inspected. Sometime in July/August. It happens almost every time I drive unless I press really hard and down on the brake pedal. I am going to use today’s day, see below.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2024
Hello, RE: Recurring Occupant Detection System problem, 2017 Subaru Forester The occupant detection system for the front passenger seat is intermittently failing. The symptoms are exactly the same as before 2020 repairs of wiring harness were made for recall WUM-98R. Despite having a passenger in the front passenger seat, the warning lights will sometimes show that the airbag is off. I have had the problem verified by my local Subaru dealer, Fitzgerald Subaru in Rockville, MD, on [XXX]; they simply reset the warning system. But the problem comes back, putting my passenger at risk. And I have contacted the Subaru Customer Advocacy Department, representative Abie on [XXX], who assigned a case number [XXX]. However, there has been no follow-up, despite my four additional calls in an effort to recontact Abie, who fails to return calls or make other contact efforts. I am unsure based on Fitzgerald Subaru's inspection if the issue is caused by the wiring harness again, or a different component in the occupant detection system. Thank you for any help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2024
Hello. Subaru has a recall: WUJ-95R for cracked exhaust bellows. It turns out, these bellows crack as a result of the materials used in manufacturing and have issued a Service Bulletin: 09-84-22R. My question is why is 09-84-22R a Service bulletin and not a recall like WUJ-95R? My cabin fills with exhaust fumes at low speeds when the fan is blowing and I'm not using recirculation. Subaru refuses to extend the warranty through the Service Bulletin on a branded title vehicle. It's still an unsafe condition, regardless of the branded title. It's the same issue that spans multiple models and production years. Subaru of America has refused repairing my vehicle and local dealerships won't service with a warranty.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 14, 2024
The Occupant Detection System (ODS) has failed in this 2017 Subaru Forester. The dealership tried replacing the wiring harness under a previous recall but it did not fix the problem. The ODS does not correctly identify when a passenger is seated in the passenger seat and therefore will not properly activate the passenger airbag. I ordered a replacement seat assemby in October 2023 but to date the dealership has been unable to obtain the part, and has been unable to fix the ODS malfunction in any other way.
Power train, Sep 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while operating the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle wound not properly accelerate. The failure also occurred while accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 5, 2024
Passenger air bag light on dash coming on, started off dinging even with no one sitting in the passenger seat. Now the Air bag light stays on constantly. I was told by the Subaru dealership near me that they found a B1650 in the system for occupant detection malfunction. Tested the seat with a human and the scan tool and they found the sensor is not picking anything up. The mechanic told me the seat appeared to be wet, which it was not and has never had water damage. The vehicle is garage kept and has low mileage so minimal exposure. The dealership told me I would have to pay 160 for diagnostic and 1200 before tax to have the seat base replaced. I know there was a recall for the passenger air bag in the past which I did take into the same dealership who says the replaced the defective part. I feel the Subaru company should stand behind their product and correct this issue. I was told they would not guarantee the airbag would work, which is a HUGE safety issue.
Power train, Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact stated that all four wheels seized. The contact stated that the transmission had seized. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a busy highway. The contact stated that the driver of a big truck assisted by stopping the oncoming traffic. The contact stated that a tow truck and the Police arrived on the scene. The contact stated that the tow truck driver was unable to load the vehicle onto the tow truck. The tow truck driver had to drag the vehicle onto the tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Air bags, Lane departure, Jul 24, 2024
Airbag warning light and blind spot failure warning lights are on and staying on.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2024
Passenger side airbag alert for not working. Came on was repaired by dealer came on again. Dealer says part needed not currently available. Part needed is the passenger seat.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2024
Key is stuck in ignition. This happened 2 or 3 times and I was able to remove key after reversing, then putting it back in park. That no longer works and the key cannot be removed. Parked in my driveway now but my car is not secure since I’m not able to lock it with the key in the ignition I see many, many reports of this happening with Subarus. There really should be a recall for the issue as Subaru identified the problem in 2018.
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2024
Cracked windshield for no reason
Air bags, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the SRS warning light illuminated when a passenger entered the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired from a previous recall with the OCS wiring harness. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the OCS Mat sensor/seat bottom which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 107,784.
Air bags, May 26, 2024
Front Passenger airbag sensor fault causing airbag to be turned off despite unit having been repaired under recall 19V-701. Occurs approximately 50% of the time after starting car and appropriate adult weight passenger sits in front seat. Has occurred on at least 3 occasions in last week.
Electrical system, May 22, 2024
Suddenly ignition starts having an issue where driver cannot pull out ignition key, which creates risky situations. If an emergency and unable to remove keys, then the driver is stuck. Apparently, this has been happening to Subaru's from 2014-2018 all over the country, and clearly defective design. Here is the TSB [XXX] Subaru should do a recall to prevent dangerous cases of drivers unable to pull their keys out, or having drivers "hack" the car, which remove important safety features. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility, May 8, 2024
I am reporting a safety issue with an aftermarket driver’s side mirror manufactured by TRQ, intended as a replacement for a 2017 Subaru Forester. The mirror does not provide sufficient side visibility, increasing blind spots significantly compared to the OEM part, thereby putting driver safety at risk. The problem persists even after a replacement mirror was sent, suggesting a design flaw rather than an individual defect. Both mirrors, original and replacement, are available for inspection. The safety risk has been directly observed and documented through personal use rather than being confirmed by a dealer or service center. The manufacturer, TRQ, was contacted multiple times regarding this issue. They failed to acknowledge the defect adequately, instead suggesting I contact the retailer, Amazon. There were no prior warning lamps or messages related to this aftermarket mirror as it is a purely mechanical component without electronic integration. I have not had the mirror inspected by police or insurance representatives, but I have extensive documentation of the issue, including email communications with the manufacturer and photographic evidence comparing the TRQ mirror’s field of vision with the OEM part. This documentation will be included as a PDF attachment to this report.
Engine, May 3, 2024
need new engine keeps burning oil
Air bags, Apr 1, 2024, crash
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, the contact observed there was a vehicle coming towards the intersection at high speeds. The contact stated that the stop light was green, however, the contact stopped the vehicle, and the vehicle coming towards the contact, depressed the brake pedal causing the vehicle to swerve and crash into the contact's vehicle on the front passenger's side at approximately 50 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around about 90 degrees. The air bags did not deploy, and no warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained severe whiplash causing a concussion, crushed disc, ruptured at least 1 vertebrae, and spinal column nerve damage. The contact had been receiving medical treatment since the accident. The vehicle was towed to the tow company's storage lot. A police report was filed. The insurance company determined that the vehicle was a total loss. The other driver sustained severe burns when the air bags deployed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was in dealer mode, which did not allow warning lights to illuminate the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2024
For the last 2 yrs. our airbag light comes on and off saying we don't have air bags, some days it works and others it doesn't. I took the car into a Subaru dealership, and they said I had to replace the passenger seat at a cost of 1,200.00. I just saw that there is a recall about this and would like to get them to fix this issue at no cost. Subaru is supposed to be the safest car on the road, we'll I'm not feeling safe now.
Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2024
Left front head light will turn off while turning left, more than 10deg. This is part of the Steering Responsive System where the headlights will move with the steering. This is a sealed unit and not a user replaceable component such as a head lamp. Replacement costs are excessive for this manufacture failure. This left front headlight turning off while turning left is a common problem found on the Subaru Forums.
Structure, Feb 16, 2024
The front windshield is extremely prone to cracks. I've gotten three cracks in my windshield, all along the bottom half in close proximity to each other, which leads me to believe there is a structural issue with either the body of the car or the glass that is causing this. Two of the times, there were no other cars around me and a pinhead size piece of gravel lodged into the outside layer of the windshield, chipping and cracking it.
Air bags, Feb 8, 2024
My passenger airbag light goes on and off while someone is sitting in the passenger seat. I've experienced this with people of different weight in that seat. I looked it up and found a TSB related to this issue (NHTSA ID: 19V-701, Number: [XXX] ) but my specific car is not covered even though it is having the same problem and is the same year, make/model. I took the car to the Subaru dealer on Monday [XXX] and they confirmed there is a faulty passenger occupant sensor but they will not cover the repair. This issue puts my wife or anyone else sitting in the passenger side at huge risk for loss of life. The light that goes on and off is just the sensor light, my error light in the dashboard does not go on even though the dealer has confirmed this issue. I am requesting that you recall all cars with my year/make/model since this issue is life threatening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2024
This has been a recurring issue. Frequently, at dusk and night, I have been blinded by my side view mirrors and some oncoming traffic. I have had my mirrors looked at by certified Subaru mechanics at the dealership, and they have yet to find any issues. It seems like every time I drive at night, a vehicle behind me or in front of me has temporarily blinded me with white/blue lights. I get no warning signs from my car. My safety, and the safety of others, has been put at risk because I am unable to see for 10-20 seconds after being blinded by cool white LED lights. If the NHTSA cannot regulate the out-of-control headlights on newer vehicles, then what is the point of the NHTSA?
Visibility/wiper, Jan 25, 2024
Right side of windshield had a small crack. Illinois law can’t drive with a cracked windshield. Called Subaru they don’t fix windshield problems. Appointment at Safelite on 1/23/24 crack had gotten bigger they cannot repair now have to replace windshield. Appointment on 1/25/24 to replace windshield. No prior incident that would have led to this situation. Never owned a car where the windshield needed to be replaced.