2017 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
584 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 321 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 162 of 584 complaints (27.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 74 | 12.7% |
| Braking behavior | 39 | 6.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 37 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 28 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 162 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 104 |
| Electrical System | 102 |
| Unknown Or Other | 96 |
| Engine | 46 |
| Power Train | 41 |
| Seats | 33 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 |
Air Bags: 162; Visibility/Wiper: 104; Electrical System: 102; Unknown Or Other: 96; Engine: 46; Power Train: 41; Seats: 33; Vehicle Speed Control: 33
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 127 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 121 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 44 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 127; 25,000 to 49,999: 121; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (127). 263 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 128 |
| 2020 | 96 |
| 2021 | 87 |
| 2022 | 54 |
| 2023 | 45 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 41 |
| 2026 | 28 |
2016: 7; 2017: 22; 2018: 43; 2019: 128; 2020: 96; 2021: 87; 2022: 54; 2023: 45; 2024: 33; 2025: 41; 2026: 28
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 74 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 37 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10906899 · 2016-09-15 (September 15, 2016)
DRIVER SIDE VENTS ARE BLOWING WARM AIR WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. ONLY 1400 MILES ON SINCE I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW LAST MONTH 8/6/16.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916632 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE SCREEN REFLECTED LIGHT ONTO HER FACE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT'S VISION WAS IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917994 · 2016-10-21 (October 21, 2016)
CVT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT FILLED WITH THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT FROM THE FACTORY. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH THIS BRAND NEW CAR. FIRST THEY DIDN'T FILL ENOUGH FREON FOR AC SO IT STARTED BLOWING OFF HOT AIR AT 1400MILES A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT. AND AT TWO MONTHS NOT ENOUGH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I'M WORRIED WHAT ELSE THEY DID NOT PUT ENOUGH OR IS THEI QUALITY CHECKING GOOD ENOUGH TO PUT THE CARS LIKE MINE ON THE MARKET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10917994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10919275 · 2016-10-27 (October 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND RECEIVED FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10919275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10923928 · 2016-11-02 (November 2, 2016)
SINCE PURCHASE THE" RADIO/COMPUTER" HANDS-FREE PHONE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED. HANDS-FREE PHONE COMMUNICATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. YOU CAN CALL FROM THE CAR BUT THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END CANNOT HEAR WHAT IS SAID. IT WAS CHECKED AND IT IS NOT THE MICROPHONE THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPLACEMENT SYSTEM IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10923928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10927374 · 2016-11-22 (November 22, 2016)
THE STEERING GETS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. THE WHEELS ARE NOT TURNED IN AND ARE STRAIGHT. DEALER CLAIMS"THIS IS NORMAL" CAN NOT START THE CAR WITHOUT FIGHTING WITH THE STEERING AND THE KEY. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10927374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10928617 · 2016-11-29 (November 29, 2016)
11/23/16 - AS I WAS SLOWLY ROLLING INTO A FRONT PARKING SPOT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN - I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT SO I WOULDN'T CRASH FULL ON INTO THE BUILDING - TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR - I WENT OVER A CURB THAT WAS JETTING OUT - DEFINING THE PARKING SPACES - MY RIGHT FRONT AND BACK TIRES WENT OVER THE CURB - JUST MISSING A TREE - FINALLY COMING TO A STOP - IF THERE WAS ANYONE THERE - I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM - THAT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED - AND ON MY PAPERWORK IT STATED "CUSTOMER STATES S…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10928617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10940353 · 2017-01-07 (January 7, 2017)
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION: WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, ENGINE SPEED INCREASES TO 4000-4500 RPM WHILE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, DESPITE HAVING FOOT ENTIRELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. RPM REMAINS ELEVATED FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS BEFORE SLOWLY RETURNING TO NORMAL IDLE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, ENGINE SPEED WILL INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 2500 RPM WHILE SITTING WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED AND FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR (FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT). DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A "RUNAWAY" CONDITION: THE ENGINE SPEED NEVER APPROACHES REDLI…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10940353 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V701000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2019-10-03 (October 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗