2017 Subaru Forester Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2017 Subaru Forester, and owners have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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1 safety recall for the 2017 Subaru Forester
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Occupant classification (air bags)
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.
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…
587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2017 Subaru Forester have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA; 40 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 28 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 35,883 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 128 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 iss”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 22, 2026 · Suspension
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 11, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2017 Subaru Forester (Forester AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–26 / 27–32 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8); Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Subaru Forester model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Forester model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2017 Subaru Forester
How do I know if my 2017 Subaru Forester has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2017 Subaru Forester; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 19V701000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Crosstrek1,186 complaints
- Ascent1,033 complaints
- WRX975 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.