Subaru Forester 2017 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Subaru Forester 2017 and 587 complaints filed by owners. It has 70% more complaints than the average Subaru Forester from 2016–2025 (344 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Subaru Forester 2017? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Subaru Forester 2017
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · 2019-10-03
What happens
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.
Consequence
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy
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 service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
587 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
40 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 28 injuries
Most reported problems on the Subaru Forester 2017
- Air bags: 150 (26% of complaints)
- Wipers: 104 (18% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 92 (16% of complaints)
- Engine: 47 (8% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 44 (7% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Subaru Forester 2017
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- The air bag light should come on for a second at start-up and go off. Confirm by VIN that air bag recalls were done.
- Test every wiper speed and the washer.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Subaru Forester recalls by year
- 2016 : 3 recalls · 415 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recalls · 587 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 498 complaints
- 2019 : 3 recalls · 834 complaints
- 2020 : 0 recalls · 601 complaints
- 2021 : 0 recalls · 210 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 98 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recalls · 74 complaints
- 2024 : 2 recalls · 29 complaints
- 2025 : 3 recalls · 97 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Subaru Forester 2017 have?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Subaru Forester 2017. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Forester 2017?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: air bags (150 of 587 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).