AI Damage2017 Subaru Forester: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Subaru Forester filed 591 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and visibility. The maker issued 325 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 591
- involving a crash
- 40
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 325
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 28% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 166 complaints (28% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Visibility: 116 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 106 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 157.
- Engine: 47 complaints (8% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Powertrain: 46 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 7 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 4 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 591 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 166 | 14 | 7 |
| Visibility | 116 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 106 | 2 | 157 |
| Engine | 47 | 4 | 29 |
| Powertrain | 46 | 1 | 31 |
| Seats | 34 | 1 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 33 | 18 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 2 | 6 |
| Structure | 15 | 1 | 7 |
| Service brakes | 15 | 7 | 4 |
| Suspension | 12 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 12 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 3 | 7 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 1 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
All of sudden, my car start to shaking violently, moving toward right lane, so I tried move my car back to my lane. My car was out of control and driving zig zag way then went up to hillside of the freeway and roll over end up crash on the concrete swale. I thought that was my last moment of my life.
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.
There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal continuously but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then shifted into drive (D), and the vehicle accelerated increasingly.
As I slowly turned left to park in parking spot at work, I heard the engine rev and my car unexpectedly lurched forward very quickly. I stepped hard on the brake but it did not seem effective at stopping the car. I recently replaced my brakes in late August, 2023.
Police and Fire departments arrived. Miraculously, we were not hurt, but had anyone been in the family room at the time, they would have been seriously injured or killed. I made an insurance claim with Allstate Insurance Company the next morning.
No one else was hurt but I was just a few feet from the ground-level windows of a motel. Much body damage to my car (in excess of $13,000) and the other two cars. Police report was filed. Insurance claim filed. No reproduction of problem sought from manufacturer or dealer. No warning signals from car.
After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle, a 2017 Subaru Forrester suddenly and without driver input surged forward. It crashed into a large garbage can directly in front of the vehicle, crushing it.
My vehicle was involved in a five car accident where is was completely destroyed and flipped upside and the two front airbags never deployed which caused head, back, and neck injuries to the two passengers that were in the two front seats.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 91 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Forester has 314 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 591, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- This bulletin announces Warranty Extension and design changes made to the front exhaust pipe and covers to…
This bulletin announces Warranty Extension and design changes made to the front exhaust pipe and covers to address the concerns of some customers regarding an odor or a rattle-type noise/fluttering sound coming from…
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing…
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and…
NHTSA lists 325 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 591. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), airbag warning light (11%), battery drain (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 325 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Subaru Forester from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.