2017 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
792 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Subaru Forester, alongside 1 recall campaign and 1 defect investigation. It scores 76/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 25,719 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2017 Subaru Forester sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1998–2000, 2002, 2005–2008, 2012–2013, 2022.
Avoid
Where 2017 sits among all Forester years
What owners report
“Srs airbag system needs to be checked error. Airbag not going on sometimes when passenger is in seat”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
“Windshield spontaneously cracked, all the way from the top to the bottom. No previous cracks or chips.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
“If you do not start the car everyday, the car drains the battery. Car must be jumped.nothing left on. It has a battery drain problem.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
“Windshield cracker for NO reason. And rear/back window/glass again cracked for NO reason”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
“After any driving in hot weather, smell of coolant in right side of engine compartment”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
“Have a 2017 forester. At least a couple times a week, the key get stuck in the ignition. You can turn the car off, but you can't remove the key. If i start the car back up, and shift it into drive, and them slam it back into park, then i can turn the car off and remove the key.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Forester
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 435 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 30,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 16,500 and 47,800 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
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.
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 19V701000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2017 Subaru Forester drew 792 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 76/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 2017 Subaru Forester problems?
The top reported problems for the 2017 Subaru Forester are airbags (195 complaints), visibility & wipers (115), and electrical (109).
At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Forester problems show up?
Owners most often report 2017 Subaru Forester problems around 30,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 16,500 and 47,800 miles.
Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2017 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.