2017 Subaru Forester problems
The 2017 Subaru Forester has 579 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2017 Subaru Forester has 579 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 147 complaints, typically surfacing around 35,635 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 403 | 1 |
| 2015 Forester | 613 | 0 |
| 2016 Forester | 405 | 1 |
| 2017 Forester (this page) | 579 | 0 |
| 2018 Forester | 489 | 2 |
| 2019 Forester | 831 | 3 |
| 2020 Forester | 593 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Subaru Forester? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 147 owner reports · tends to show around 35,635 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- visibility — 105 owner reports · tends to show around 37,228 mi · ~$350 to fix
- electrical — 92 owner reports · tends to show around 39,829 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 42 owner reports · tends to show around 46,483 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 35,635 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Subaru Forester
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2017 Subaru Forester
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~16,500 miengine~$3,100
- ~20,120 micruise control~$600
- ~23,825 misteering~$700
- ~30,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~33,400 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~35,000 mivisibility~$350
- ~38,023 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The WUM-98 recall fix did not address the problem with the front passenger occupancy detection system. We, and many other Subaru Forester owners are continuing to experience problems post recall repair with the SRS Airbag light on, indicating error code B1760 "Occupant…
Srs airbag system needs to be checked error. Airbag not going on sometimes when passenger is in seat
Intermittently, the key in the ignition would not go to the "off" position so that I could remove it after the car was in "park." I would have to move it (the key) back to the "on" position, then back again to the "off" position (beyond the "acc" setting).
There is a chip/dent in the bottom left of the windshield of unknown origin. It is my belief that this should not have occurred from regular use and that the windshield is inferior/defective.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 579 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Subaru Forester is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Subaru Forester?
The 2017 Subaru Forester is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 147 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,635 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 579 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 35,635 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 147 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,635 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 35,635 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 579 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.