Subaru Forester problems
573 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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 573 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's the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 143 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 573 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.