Consumers called the 2017 Subaru Forester out for faulty airbags, weak windshields, and vehicles randomly lunging forward. Initially named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the complaints are a cause for concern.
Key Points
- Subaru has recalled certain 2017 Subaru Foresters due to faulty wiring in an airbag sensor. The issue of airbags potentially not deploying in an accident has led to the 2017 Forester’s single NHTSA investigation.
- Some NHTSA complaints report 2017 Subaru Forester models lunging forward when stopping in traffic or parking. The problem has reportedly caused minor accidents, like jumping curbs and hitting parked vehicles.
- Another commonly reported complaint pertains to the 2017 Forester’s weak windshields that reportedly crack easily, sometimes on their own. Also, recent complaints mention parasitic battery drain that may lead to batteries needing to be replaced.
2017 Subaru Forester’s One NHTSA Recall also Launched an Investigation into Faulty Airbags that may not Deploy
The 2017 Subaru Forester has only one active recall, and it is cause for concern. Subaru recalled certain 2015-2018 Foresters equipped with heated seats, due to faulty wiring in an airbag sensor. If the wire’s connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Although the recall pertains to the front passenger airbag, additional issues with airbag deployment appear in nearly 100 NHTSA complaints from as recently as Sept. 2021. Various reports from 2017 Forester owners mention accidents where the front passenger airbag did not successfully deploy. Some owners allege that it was not only the front passenger airbag that failed in a high-speed collision, but all of them.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Launched 2019 Investigation into Airbag Issue
In Aug. 2019, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects began to investigate complaints and allegations of front passenger airbag system malfunctions in model year 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles.
The airbags in vehicles including the 2017 Subaru Forester rely on an occupant detection system that reportedly failed to operate properly and incorrectly turned off the front passenger airbag even though the seat was occupied, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA’s analysis of the complaints showed that most of the complaints involved vehicles with seat heaters. Subaru instructed owners with Foresters produced in the affected production range to head to a dealer to have the sensor mat harness inspected and replaced, if necessary.
Weak Windshield Prone to Easy Cracking Consumes Nearly 20 Pages of Owner Complaints
There are currently 370 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA, with the majority of them focusing on three different areas: visibility, electrical system, and engine/powertrain. The problem with visibility seems to be a widespread and serious problem and stems from a windshield that reportedly cracks easily and often without even being impacted by anything.
Some 2017 Subaru owners mentioned having to replace their windshield more than once due to it cracking either on its own or after being struck by a small piece of road debris. One owner says his windshield cracked after being struck by a “small piece of debris no larger than a nickel.”
Considering the prevalence of complaints about the weak windshield, which takes up 18 pages on the NHTSA website, you’d assume a recall or investigation is warranted, yet none has been issued.
“I have replaced my windshield a second time in a 30-day period,” laments one 2017 Subaru Forester owner in an April 2021 complaint. “I had my windshield break while I was driving, and I did not see anything hit the windshield. As soon as I got it replaced, three days later, I woke up to see that my windshield was broken again. Nothing hit the windshield either time, and it just sporadically cracked.”
As unusual as the experience seems to be, countless complaints repeat the same windshield scenario almost verbatim, with another owner writing in March 2021: “Forester windshield started cracking for no clear reason, spread quickly to a 20″ or longer crack that continues to spread.”
Nearly 400 Consumer Complaints Address Engines Stalling, Fuel Odors in the Cabin, and Random Acceleration that Led to at least One Fender-bender
The 2017 Subaru has nearly 400 consumer complaints, and the majority of them–nearly 100–pertain to airbag issues and range from innocuous to serious, with some consumers reporting that they were in bad accidents and the airbags failed to deploy.
Other individual complaints noted exhaust fumes in the cabin, and loss of power while driving up small hills or when accelerating on the highway. A common complaint from many 2017 Subaru Forester owners was the frustration of having their keys get stuck in the ignition barrel once the vehicle is off. The complaints first appeared as far back as September 2019 and have even been addressed on Subaru Forester owner forums.
Among the most serious complaints are reports of vehicles continuing to accelerate after drivers remove their foot from the gas pedal. One owner reported the same scenario happening while he had his foot on the brake. In a March 2021 complaint, he said, “while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle surged forward when the brake pedal was depressed, causing the vehicle to jump a cement bumper and the bushes in front of the vehicle. The vehicle was still revving when turned off and placed in park.”
Another 2017 Forester owner echoed a similar situation, mentioning “pulling into a parallel parking space, braking slowly to a stop when my car surged forward in spite of increased and continued braking, and I hit the car in front of me. The collision is what stopped the car.”
Although the consequences have been relatively minor, the unintended acceleration issue has already led to a class-action lawsuit, alleging that faulty circuit boards and electronic components may be responsible for the acceleration problem.
Newest Owner Reviews of 2017 Forester Claim Electrical Issues may Cause Excessive Battery Drain
More recently, complaints about 2017 Subaru Forester models suffering from excessive battery drainage have been surfacing. Some owners reported that their 2017 Forester had to have multiple battery replacements with fewer than 50,000 miles on the vehicle.
“The battery on my 2017 Forester has been replaced under warranty three times after being found dead,” said one owner in a May 2021 complaint. “All three times Subaru has said it was a bad battery, and my mechanic said it was an electrical issue if it happened more than once.”
Another owner said, “the battery of our 2017 Subaru Forester has died three times from June 26, 2021 through August 20, 2021. Simply put, from one day to the next, the battery is suddenly drained of all its power.”
Many owners confirmed Subaru replaced the battery under warranty, but 2017 model year Foresters are no longer eligible for Subaru’s three-year/36,0000-mile warranty. So, battery replacements would now be the financial responsibility of the vehicle’s owner.
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester a Reliable Vehicle Despite its Recall and Hundreds of Consumer Complaints?
The 2017 Subaru Forester currently has 370 consumer complaints covering a variety of problems that range from moderately concerning to potentially lethal. When considering a 2017 Subaru Forester, you must weigh everything from possible inconveniences caused by keys getting stuck in the ignition to a serious recall over airbags that may not deploy in an accident.
It is important to note, too, that the 2017 Forester was named a 2017 Top Safety Pick+ by the International Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS also rated the 2017 model its highest honor of “Good” in its crashworthiness test, with the small overlap front passenger-side the only areas that garnered a “Marginal” rating. Also, the 2017 Forester received an impressive 4.6 out of five stars in Vehicle History’s over 600 consumer reviews.
Ultimately, the 2017 Subaru Forester has enough complaints that should be considered, as should Subaru’s solid reputation for reliability. Be sure to check the VIN here at Vehicle History to ensure you’re looking at a trouble-free Forester.
Photos: Subaru
