Is the 2017 Subaru Forester a bad year?
594 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Subaru Forester are in line with other Forester years. Air bags, visibility and wipers and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Forester owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 30,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 167 (28%) | 18k–45k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 116 (20%) | 18k–48k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 106 (18%) | 20k–49k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 47 (8%) | 10k–44k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 46 (8%) | 21k–50k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seats | 34 (6%) | 13k–42k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 33 (6%) | 18k–43k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 25 (4%) | 3k–45k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 15 (3%) | 6k–38k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 15 (3%) | 17k–45k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 11 (2%) | 18k–52k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 30,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 594 complaints: 40 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 25 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
42 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
We have a 2017 Subaru Forester xt touring model 2.0 turbo engine with approximately 20,000 miles.
While on driving 65MPH on the highway during the evening rush hour and suddenly my accelerator was unresponsive in that the rpms just revved (As if the transmission was shifted to neutral).
Vehicle hesitates during acceleration, worse if ac is on. Engine nearly stalls, losing power. Initially happened during left turn and while vehicle is in middle of intersection in front of oncoming traffic.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 30,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Subaru Forester: 1
An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 214
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Subaru Forester. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnostic procedures and availability of new Engine Control Module (ECM) reprogramming files to address DTC P2404…
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Some customers regarding an odor or a rattle-type noise/fluttering sound coming from the undercarriage, during acceleration
Diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT)…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Neighbouring years
2016 Forester: 416 complaints, keep it · 2018 Forester: 497 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Forester year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Forester years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester a bad year?
594 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years. At 30,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (167), visibility and wipers (116), electrical system (106), engine (47), transmission and drivetrain (46).
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Forester have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-701). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.