← All vehicles

2017 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

1Safety recalls
586Owner complaints
5★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2017 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign and 586 owner complaints on file, with an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether recalls apply, whether repairs were completed, and what to verify before you buy.

2017 Subaru Forester safety record graphic showing 1 recalls, 586 owner complaints and 5-star overall NHTSA rating.
Check the exact car

Run a full report for this Forester

2017 Subaru Forester pages show model-level safety data. A Carchieve VIN report checks the exact car before you buy.

Safety record reviewed October 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2017 Subaru Forester has 1 safety recall campaign and 586 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public model-level safety record. To see whether a specific Forester had applicable recalls repaired and what its decoded VIN says, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign 19V701000 · 03/10/2019

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.

RiskIf 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.
RemedySubaru 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 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

What owners complain about

The systems 2017 Subaru Forester owners report most often to federal regulators:

Air Bags164
Visibility116
Electrical System106
Wiper104
Unknown Or Other96
Engine47

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. The 2017 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign associated with this model year. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer when the exact VIN is affected. Check your specific VIN to confirm applicability and completion.

What problems do 2017 Subaru Forester owners report?

Owners have filed 586 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Forester, most often about the air bags, visibility, electrical system.

How do I check a specific Forester's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2017 Subaru Forester

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm recalls, decoded specifications and buyer checks.

Get Full Report