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2017 Subaru Forester Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2017 Subaru Forester Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2017 Subaru Forester has 758 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and visibility/wiper.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.1/ 10

Based on 758 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

146 19.3%

VISIBILITY/WIPER

103 13.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

100 13.2%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

94 12.4%

ENGINE

46 6.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 19.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 42 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Subaru Forester

The 2017 Subaru Forester has 758 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 19% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2017 Subaru Forester are AIR BAGS (146), VISIBILITY/WIPER (103), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (100).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 389 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Subaru Forester?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 Forester complaints2016 Forester complaints2019 Forester complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 22 of 22 systems

AIR BAGS

72 Reports29% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

5/16/2017

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.

9/25/2017

70 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

24 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

9/15/2016

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

10/21/2016

22 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

21 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

2/10/2018

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.

2/22/2018

19 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

18 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

3/10/2017

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.

6/2/2017

16 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

18 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

4/6/2018

SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED LIGHT IS ON AND PASSAGE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR SHOWS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED REPLACEMENT PART WHICH HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE SEPT. 9, 2017. PROBLEM STARTED IN SEPT. 2017, OCCASIONALLY WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND VEHICLE HIT A BUMP, THE SRS SHOWED WARNING INDICATOR AND PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF. SYSTEM WOULD RESET WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD OCCASIONALLY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON SEPT. 9, THEY SAID THEY ORDERED PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN PART ARRIVED. I DIDN'T HEAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP, SO CALLED THEM ON OCT. 26. THEY SAID PART WOULD BE IN AND I DROPPED VEHICLE OFF FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR OCT. 31. ON NOV. 3 AFTER NOT HEARING FROM DEALER, I CALLED TO SEE WHY SERVICE NOT COMPLETED YET, AND WAS TOLD PART WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER, SHOULD BE IN SOMETIME IN DEC. THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM WORKED FINE AND NO PROBLEM UNTIL THE END OF FEB, 2018. THE RANDOM SRS WARNING INDICATOR WHEN PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HITTING A BUMP STARTED REOCCURRING AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN NUMEROUS TIMES, AND PART IS STILL ON BACKORDER. NOW THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECK INDICATOR IS ON ALL THE TIME, REGARDLESS IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 24 AND THEY WERE GOING TO ESCALATE THE PART ORDER AND GET BACK TO ME. AS OF MAY 2 I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK, AND SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.

5/2/2018

16 more complaints are available in this category.

SEATS

15 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE CAUGHT THE BACK OF MY RIGHT SHOE 4 TIMES( SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN AUGUST) WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. IT CATCHES ON THE HARD PLASTIC ON THE FRONT LEFT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FIRST THREE TIMES I WAS EXITING THE CAR IN TOWN AND COULD HAVE FALLEN INTO PASSING TRAFFIC HAD I NOT BEEN HOLDING ONTO THE DOOR. THE LAST TIME MY SISTER WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF ME AND CAUGHT ME. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE SEAT COVERS TO COVER THE PIECE OF HARD PLASTIC WITH NO LUCK. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THE DESIGN CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

1/25/2017

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.

5/16/2017

13 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

10/17/2016

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.

8/14/2017

12 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 SUBARU SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN - TECH FOUND NO CODES. TECH DROVE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE"

11/29/2016

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 REDLINE, BUT INCREASES SMOOTHLY TO THE "TARGET" RPM, STAYS CONSTANT FOR AWHILE, THEN SMOOTHLY RETURNS TO IDLE. NOTE: OTHER 2017 FORESTER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR BEHAVIOR. SUBARU IS INVESTIGATING, BUT AT PRESENT IS SAYING, "IT'S NOT A BUG, IT'S A FEATURE." AFTER 50 YEARS OF DRIVING SCORES OF VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I DISAGREE.

1/7/2017

12 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHENEVER I ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BY DOWNSHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WILL OFTEN CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS UNWANTED ACCELERATION IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRADE, HOWEVER IT ALSO FREQUENTLY HAPPENS ON FLAT GROUND. FOR EXAMPLE, IF I AM GOING 35 MPH IN 4TH GEAR AND AM ANTICIPATING A STOP LIGHT AHEAD, I WOULD TYPICALLY RELEASE MY RIGHT FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DOWNSHIFT TO 3RD GEAR, THEN 2ND GEAR WHILE LIGHTLY BRAKING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, DOWNSHIFTING HAS MINIMAL AFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING MERELY INCREASES ENGINE RPM, NOT ASSIST IN BRAKING THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN SCENARIOS WHEN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAS ACTUALLY INCREASED ON FLAT GROUND (WITHOUT DRIVER ACCELERATION INPUT) DESPITE DOWNSHIFTING. THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO HAPPENED ONCE ON ICY ROADS AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A FRAME OF REFERENCE, I HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AS A PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR ALL OF MY DRIVING LIFE (NEARLY 22 YEARS). I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT ON FLAT GROUND. IT SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN AVOIDED. THANKS.

2/6/2017

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.

2/21/2018

12 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED LIGHT IS ON AND PASSAGE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR SHOWS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED REPLACEMENT PART WHICH HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE SEPT. 9, 2017. PROBLEM STARTED IN SEPT. 2017, OCCASIONALLY WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND VEHICLE HIT A BUMP, THE SRS SHOWED WARNING INDICATOR AND PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF. SYSTEM WOULD RESET WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD OCCASIONALLY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON SEPT. 9, THEY SAID THEY ORDERED PART AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN PART ARRIVED. I DIDN'T HEAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP, SO CALLED THEM ON OCT. 26. THEY SAID PART WOULD BE IN AND I DROPPED VEHICLE OFF FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR OCT. 31. ON NOV. 3 AFTER NOT HEARING FROM DEALER, I CALLED TO SEE WHY SERVICE NOT COMPLETED YET, AND WAS TOLD PART WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER, SHOULD BE IN SOMETIME IN DEC. THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM WORKED FINE AND NO PROBLEM UNTIL THE END OF FEB, 2018. THE RANDOM SRS WARNING INDICATOR WHEN PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HITTING A BUMP STARTED REOCCURRING AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN NUMEROUS TIMES, AND PART IS STILL ON BACKORDER. NOW THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECK INDICATOR IS ON ALL THE TIME, REGARDLESS IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 24 AND THEY WERE GOING TO ESCALATE THE PART ORDER AND GET BACK TO ME. AS OF MAY 2 I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK, AND SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.

5/2/2018

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS OFF WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, OR TURNS OFF AFTER SEAT HAS BEEN OCCUPIED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS RESULTS IN SRS AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATING. DEALER CLAIMS "SEAT WAS WET" AND IT WILL RESOLVE ITSELF WHEN SEAT IS DRY. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN WET - NO SPILLS, NO WET SWIMSUITS, NOTHING. PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY 1-2 MONTHS AGO AND NOW OCCURS NEARLY EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED. DEALER "FIXED" BEFORE 500 MILE INTERSTATE TRIP ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM RETURN MID-TRIP.

7/9/2018

7 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

10/27/2016

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.

11/22/2016

6 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

3/5/2017

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."

10/16/2017

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ACCIDENT 9/24/2017, 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, 11,000. MILES. DRIVING SLOWLY IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT, ON A DRY SUNNY MORNING, AROUND 10 AM, AFTER PUSHING ON THE BRAKES MY CAR ACCELERATED. MY CAR RAN ON IT'S OWN WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN I PUT IT IN PARK, IT LUNGED OVER A CEMENT PLANTER, ON OFF AND PUT IN PARK, IT HIT A TREE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT STOPPED ITSELF. THERE WAS BUMPER DAMAGE. GEICO MY INSURER ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO PRESTIGE AUTO, IN MISSION VIEJO, CA THE BRAKES AND CAUSE OF CAR ACCELERATION WAS NOT WORKED ON, THE INSURANCE COMPANY ACTED UNETHICALLY, THEY DIDN'T CARE IF I GOT INTO ANOTHER ACCIDENT, THEY WITHHELD INFORMATION AND URGED ME TO TAKE THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM, THEY CHECKED AND WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND I AM WAITING ON THEM TO INSPECT THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

10/17/2018

9/24/2017 PRESSING ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR SPEEDED UP, I TRIED PARKING IN FRONT OF A CEMENT PLANTER HOPING THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKES WOULD STOP ME, IT DIDN'T IT LUNGED AFTER HITTING THE CEMENT DIVIDER IN THE PARKING SPACE, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK, THE WHEELS TURNED IN THE DIRT HITTING A TREE, THE CAR BOUNCED BACK THEN WENT FORWARD HITTING THE TREE AGAIN, THE CAR RAN ON IT'S OWN TURNED OFF, UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP.

10/20/2018

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

3/10/2017

THE VEHICLE'S EYESIGHT SYSTEM EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAPPENED OFTEN DURING FOGGY AND RAINING DAYS.

4/3/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

5/16/2017

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, EITHER ON START UP OR WHILE DRIVING, STAYS ON FOR HOURS OR DAYS AT A TIME, UNRELATED TO WHETHER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. WHEN IT IS ON, PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT INDICATES IT IS NOT FASTENED EVEN IF IT IS. THE SEAT HAS NEVER HAD SPILLS, RAIN OR OTHERWISE WET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. SUBARU DEALER STATES PAST ERROR CODE B1760 WHICH THEY RESET AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT FIND AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM. DEALER ADMITS THAT WHEN WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS SO UNSAFE I HESITATE TO TRANSPORT ANY FRONT PASSENGERS. IT IS A LARGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED! CAN YOU DO ANYTHING?

7/8/2018

1 more complaint is available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

2/23/2017

THERE IS INTERMITTENT SURGING UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE BACK INTERIOR LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON WHILE ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT SIGN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THERE'S NOTHING IN THE SEAT. THE BATTERY WILL DIE IF THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ON FOR 5 MINUTES OR 15 AND OTHERS WILL BE JUST FINE. THE CAMERA IN THE BACK OF THE CAR IS A BIT OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR BUMPER.

10/11/2019

STRUCTURE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

10/17/2016

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

2/10/2017

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2017 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLE LOCKS * LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLES SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A SEPARATE INTERIOR MECHANICAL ACTION TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, SUCH AS DRIVER'S USE OF AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL OR, LOCKING TAB NEXT TO THE HANDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUDIBLE CHIME USED TO ALERT DRIVERS HAS TO HIGH A FREQUENCY AND NOT ENOUGH VOLUME.*JS

9/19/2018

SUSPENSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING VIOLENTLY AND LOUDLY WHEN THE VEHICLES REACHES 50-60 MPH. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT BUSHING ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED IN SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 05-63-18R DATED 06/20/18 AND REVISED ON 07/10/18. IT EFFECTS 2014 TO 2018 MODEL YEAR FORESTERS AND THE 2015 MODEL YEAR FOR THE CROSSTREK HYBRID MODEL. NEW BUSHINGS WERE RECENTLY INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION. SUBARU WILL NOT MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE I HAVE OVER 36000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE (ACTUALLY MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 56K). MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. I NEED TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL TO CONTROL IT. THE ISSUE STARTED ONE WEEK AGO AND IS GETTING WORSE EACH DAY, BUT SUBARU IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM AFRAID THAT IF IT CONTINUES TO WORSEN IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE.

1/29/2019

WHEELS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THREE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STUDS SHEARED, PROPERLY HAND TORQUED PRIOR, TWO LUG NUTS WITH STUDS RETRIEVED IN DRIVEWAY, 20 DEG F. PULLING OUT OF GARAGE LH TURN, 3 MPH. FAILED AND REMAINING TWO STUDS RETAINED WHEN REPLACED. POSSIBLE NIL DUCTILITY TEMP. GOOGLE REVEALED OTHER RECENT. FAILURES

3/9/2019

VISIBILITY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

10/28/2019

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Subaru Forester?

The most reported complaint category for the 2017 Subaru Forester is AIR BAGS, with 146 owner reports. That is about 19% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2017 Subaru Forester a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 389 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Subaru Forester?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2017 Subaru Forester severe?

389 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Subaru Forester: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
758
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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