CarBrief

Owners filed 592 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Forester[1]. The biggest group is air bags, and the one recall is also about the front passenger air bag[2][3].

592owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
24–28MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 592 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 40 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 28 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component group Complaints Crashes Median miles at failure
Air bags[2] 166 14 25,718
Electrical system[7] 106 2 38,000
Visibility/wiper[8] 104 0 31,000
Unknown or other[9] 97 6 30,000
Engine[10] 48 4 18,825
Power train[11] 46 1 33,400
Seats[12] 34 1 28,000
Speed control[13] 33 18 28,979

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. This is what owners describe in that sample, not a measure of how common each problem is.

Speed control stands out for a different reason. It has only 33 complaints, but 18 of them mention a crash[13]. We did not read those texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2017 model year[4].

The recall names certain cars with heated seats, so ask a dealer whether a specific car is included[3].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three versions of the 2017 Forester AWD. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium[14] 23 / 27 / 25 $3,300
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular[5] 26 / 32 / 28 $2,400
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular[15] 22 / 28 / 24 $2,800

The EPA lists premium fuel for the 2.0L version[14]. The 2.5L versions list regular[5][15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Forester 5 stars overall[6]. Frontal crash is rated 4 stars, side crash 5 stars and rollover 4 stars[6]. The rollover risk is listed at 16.9%[6].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows two engines. The 2.0L four-cylinder is rated 250 hp[16]. The 2.5L four-cylinder is rated 170 hp[17].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2.0XT 2.5i
Length[18][19] 181 in 181 in
Width[18][19] 71 in 71 in
Height[18][19] 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase[18][19] 104 in 104 in
Curb weight[18][19] 3,635 lb 3,303 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1998: 101 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 75 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 139 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 88 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 189 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 219 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 93 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 88 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 74 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 178 complaints, 17 recalls2010: 262 complaints, 17 recalls20102011: 147 complaints, 16 recalls2012: 105 complaints, 15 recalls2013: 78 complaints, 12 recalls20132014: 403 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 615 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 415 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 592 complaints, 1 recalls59220172018: 498 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 834 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 603 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 210 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 100 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 74 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 98 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forester model year. The 2017 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981011
19991311
2000750
20011390
2002881
20031893
20042192
2005931
2006882
2007741
2008501
200917817
201026217
201114716
201210515
20137812
20144032
20156153
20164153
20175921
20184983
20198343
20206030
20212100
20221001
2023741
2024312
2025984
2026294

Across the 29 Forester model years in NHTSA's data, 2017 has the fourth highest complaint count at 592[4]. Only 2019 (834), 2015 (615) and 2020 (603) are higher[4]. Nearby years are lower: 2018 has 498, 2016 has 415 and 2014 has 403[4].

For recalls, 2017 has 1[4]. 2014 has 2[4]. 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 have 3 each[4]. 2020 and 2021 have none[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat these as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Forester?

The 2017 Forester has a higher complaint count than most Forester years, and air bag reports lead the list[1][2][4]. If you shop for one, check the VIN for recall 19V701 and ask whether the passenger air bag warning light has ever come on[3]. Windshield cracking comes up in the complaint texts we read, so ask about glass replacements and EyeSight recalibration[8]. The 5-star overall safety rating is a point in its favor[6]. Fuel economy runs from 24 to 28 combined MPG depending on version[14][5][15].[14][5][15][6]. This page cannot say how reliable any single car is, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester?
By complaint count, air bags lead with 166 of 592 complaints, then the electrical system with 106 and visibility/wiper with 104[1][2][7][8]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe passenger air bag warnings, power loss and cracked windshields[2][7][8].
Has the 2017 Subaru Forester been recalled?
NHTSA lists one recall, 19V701, for a connection in the front passenger seat sensor that may loosen and switch off the passenger air bag. Dealers inspect and replace the sensor mat harness if needed, free of charge[3][4].
How many MPG does the 2017 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2.5L automatic at 28 combined MPG, the 2.5L manual at 24 and the 2.0L turbo at 25[5][15][14].
How safe is the 2017 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[6].
Is 2017 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
It has the fourth highest complaint count of 29 model years, at 592, behind 2019, 2015 and 2020[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is only a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 592 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Subaru Forester (40 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 28 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 166 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,718). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 19V701, filed October 3, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 106 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 104 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 97 complaints name the unknown or other component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 48 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,825). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 46 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 34 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 33 complaints name the speed control component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,979). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Subaru Forester with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.0XT: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,635 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.5i: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,303 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.