2017 Subaru Forester problems and complaints
Owners have filed 585 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Forester. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (164), Electrical System (106), Visibility/Wiper (104).
Key takeaways
- 585 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 40 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 28 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 164 | 28% |
| Electrical System | 106 | 18% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 104 | 18% |
| Unknown Or Other | 96 | 16% |
| Engine | 47 | 8% |
| Power Train | 44 | 8% |
| Seats | 33 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 | 6% |
| Steering | 25 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 3% |
| Structure | 15 | 3% |
| Wheels | 12 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-09-11
the TGV valve metal flap screw came undone and came loose with the intake manifold. piece of metal about 1 in x 2 inch (flap) fell down to cylinder 2 intake and rubbed against the intake valve nipping pieces off and those pieces of metal along with loose screw fell chipping corner of cylinder 2 top edge. at my shop th...
Steering,service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance - filed 2026-09-10
On May 30, 2026, I was driving the freeway 2(Glendale Fwy) south, I was using the cruise control and driving 63 0r 68 miles. 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...
Visibility/Wiper - filed 2026-08-31
I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when I noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. I didn’t hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather It was strange to have happened and I thought it had to be a defective windshi...
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More for the 2017 Subaru Forester
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.