Recalls · problems · safety

2017 Subaru Forester: recalls and problems

1 recall and 586 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags.

1recalls
586complaints
40crashes reported
1fires reported
28injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Air Bags149 · 25%
  • Visibility/Wiper104 · 18%
  • Unknown Or Other96 · 16%
  • Electrical System92 · 16%
  • Engine47 · 8%
  • Power Train44 · 8%
  • Seats33 · 6%
  • Vehicle Speed Control33 · 6%
  • Steering25 · 4%
  • Structure15 · 3%

What owners report

Suspension

Within 30k miles, front passinger control arm bushings required replacement due to bushing failure resulting in uneven tire ware. by 35k miles, the front driver lower control arm also had the same issue effecting steering and uneven tire ware.

Engine

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 they had to replace cylinder 2 and tgv valve and rebuild the damaged cylinder head. reason why i took

Steering,Service Brakes,Forward Collision AvoidanceCrash

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 the freeway and roll over end up crash on the concrete swale. i thought that was my last moment of

Visibility/Wiper

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 windshield. i looked to see if there were a recall and it was but not for the year but it was advised to su

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Forester. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.