2017 Subaru Forester UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
On feb 28 2025 I bumped into car at stop light. Don’t know how it happened. 11 4th about 2 as I was stopped behind car at bank, the car lunged forward-jumped- no reason for it. This is the 4th time something has happed. I slammed on brakes so no incident this time. I am being cautious such as staying 1car length back. Vehicle is accelerating without cause.
Key Removal system is more occasionally failing to lock the steering wheel in position. When that happens. With the key turned to the completely ... off position. The key release remains locked in place and the key cannot be removed from the keyslot in the steering column. Restarting and moving the shift lever from park to drive and hard again into park, while twisting the steering wheel to its center position occasionally works the first, second or third repetition. This began with the vehicle at 36800 miles and continues occasionally today . vehicle has 39500ilrs currently
The problem of a sticking ignition key . I park the car, skip the shifter into park position and the shifter often does not unlock the ignition release switch. That allows the engine shut down and removal of the key from the ignition. It often requires ramming the shifter home into park position , then removing the key. I have seen other notes with this particular problem. My vehicle has just 39,000 + miles . It is a problem.
Hello. Please explain the difference between the Subaru Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) and the Subaru Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95). Please explain why Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95) is a NHTSA recall but Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) is only a warranty extension. Please explain why Subaru has chosen to void warranty extensions for Rebuilt/Restored titled cars? If a recall is a mandatory action taken by a manufacturer to address a safety concern, and a service bulletin is a non-critical notification about a performance or reliability issue, isn’t exhaust fumes coming from cracks at the bellows section of the front exhaust pipe which includes the catalytic converter a safety concern? Isn’t a leak occurring at the front exhaust pipe which may result in deterioration of emission performance resulting in the vehicle’s failure to meet emission levels certified by the EPA and/or California ARB a safety issue? Why isn’t Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) a recall like Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95)?
When I park my car, I have to press extremely hard on the brake pedal before I move the gear shift into park. If I do not, it will not let me remove my keys from the ignition and the car stays on. It seems as though the keys get stuck and the car will not turn off. I have not taken it in for servicing yet. It started happening after I got it inspected. Sometime in July/August. It happens almost every time I drive unless I press really hard and down on the brake pedal. I am going to use today’s day, see below.
Hello, RE: Recurring Occupant Detection System problem, 2017 Subaru Forester The occupant detection system for the front passenger seat is intermittently failing. The symptoms are exactly the same as before 2020 repairs of wiring harness were made for recall WUM-98R. Despite having a passenger in the front passenger seat, the warning lights will sometimes show that the airbag is off. I have had the problem verified by my local Subaru dealer, Fitzgerald Subaru in Rockville, MD, on [XXX]; they simply reset the warning system. But the problem comes back, putting my passenger at risk. And I have contacted the Subaru Customer Advocacy Department, representative Abie on [XXX], who assigned a case number [XXX]. However, there has been no follow-up, despite my four additional calls in an effort to recontact Abie, who fails to return calls or make other contact efforts. I am unsure based on Fitzgerald Subaru's inspection if the issue is caused by the wiring harness again, or a different component in the occupant detection system. Thank you for any help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Hello. Subaru has a recall: WUJ-95R for cracked exhaust bellows. It turns out, these bellows crack as a result of the materials used in manufacturing and have issued a Service Bulletin: 09-84-22R. My question is why is 09-84-22R a Service bulletin and not a recall like WUJ-95R? My cabin fills with exhaust fumes at low speeds when the fan is blowing and I'm not using recirculation. Subaru refuses to extend the warranty through the Service Bulletin on a branded title vehicle. It's still an unsafe condition, regardless of the branded title. It's the same issue that spans multiple models and production years. Subaru of America has refused repairing my vehicle and local dealerships won't service with a warranty.
Key is stuck in ignition. This happened 2 or 3 times and I was able to remove key after reversing, then putting it back in park. That no longer works and the key cannot be removed. Parked in my driveway now but my car is not secure since I’m not able to lock it with the key in the ignition I see many, many reports of this happening with Subarus. There really should be a recall for the issue as Subaru identified the problem in 2018.
Cracked windshield for no reason
This has been a recurring issue. Frequently, at dusk and night, I have been blinded by my side view mirrors and some oncoming traffic. I have had my mirrors looked at by certified Subaru mechanics at the dealership, and they have yet to find any issues. It seems like every time I drive at night, a vehicle behind me or in front of me has temporarily blinded me with white/blue lights. I get no warning signs from my car. My safety, and the safety of others, has been put at risk because I am unable to see for 10-20 seconds after being blinded by cool white LED lights. If the NHTSA cannot regulate the out-of-control headlights on newer vehicles, then what is the point of the NHTSA?
My 2017 Subaru Forester, to which I am the original, and still current Owner, has a recall warranty for a cracked front exhaust system / catalytic converter - see attached letter. I am experiencing the these issues related to this fissure, including reduced performance of the vehicle, exhaust impact and noises. Because I spend sometime abroad and I have brought the vehicle to France, Subaru is attempting to deny my warranty / reimbursement request. Subaru's Warranty makes no mention of a situation where the vehicle spends a portion of the year outside the US, especially in the case where I am currently the Original Owner. On the contrary, the Warrany information published on the NTSB site, indicates that customers who pay for the repair may be reimbursed, this could specifically apply to my situation. I greatly appreciate your assistance to resolve this matter as I'm hopeful it poses to safety hazard to my young family. Thank you and have a pleasant day. I've attached a number of relevant documents.
Ignition key does not come out after I put the car in park.
Windshield cracker for NO reason. And rear/back window/glass again cracked for NO reason
Constant battery jumps from friends and towing companies. Car is now dead and in driveway. No other vehicle. Senior citizen living alone. Also, rear gate does not open at all at times to get into trunk area and does not close fully which also leads to battery drain. Was told yesterday that a new gel battery to replace is $500 and they do not have in stock.
My battery was replaced in May 2021, I bought the car in July 2021. I was never notified that there was a battery problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester's when I purchased my car and I just had to replace the battery today December 9, 2022. I called Subaru and was told that the settlement was only good for 60 days from the action date of September, 2022. So, this this problem could be very serious if not addressed going forward. The car probably should not be on the road if the battery drains that quickly.
I am unable to remove key from ignition switch when the car is placed in park requiring shifting several times to finally remove key. 2017 Forester with less than 40,000 miles on it.
I started noticing grid lines on my computer screen and am unable to read the screen. I took the car to Suburu and was told they were always there but I have owned the car for six years and they just appeared this March. I asked them to replace the screen as I cannot read it and was told they wouldn’t replace it until it shows gridlines in the dark which doesn’t do me any good as I don’t drive after dark. Someone online said there is a Bulletin Number 15-177-14R; Revised 07/26/19 cause Defective Display Unit. Recommendation: Order an exchange head unit following the normal procedure. FF667UM
UNKNOWN I was pulling toward a parking space. We heard a loud revving sound and the car jumped forward. I braked and then after a short discussion with my passenger trying to figure out what just happened I proceeded to turn into the space. All of a sudden the car revved even louder rapidly accelerated and we hit the pole grazing another vehicle. Felt like someone rammed us but nobody else was behind us when I looked in the rear mirror. Thank God nobody was hurt but if someone was walking in that area they could have been killed. There was almost seven thousand dollars in damage from the car wrapping around the pole and we are very lucky it happened in a parking lot
The crack at the lower right side of the windshield spontaneously appeared and grew to 12 inches in 9 days & keeps on growing.
Battery will not start car.
When in PARK, the key will not pull out of the ignition. The car is not recognizing that it is in PARK and shoild release the key. I was told by a Subaru dealership that Subaru is aware of the problem but does not intend to recall it at this time. I was told that aggressive shifting is causing a plate to bend. My car only has 18000 miles on it and I'm not a kid and I don't shift aggressively. The only way I can get the key out is to shift it back-and-forth aggressively and then it will release. Although I have onky 18000 miles on the car, it's over 3 years old so now I'm out of warranty (hich does not please me at all) This is an expensive repair for customers. This can be a safety hazard if I must leave the iey in the ignition making it possible for a child to start the engine!
I was driving down the street and the whole car shut off without warning. It was the scariest thing ever. I had to pull over the side of the road with cars driving past me. I felt like I had no control of the car.
Subaru OEM Windshield glass is too weak and prone to cracking / chipping / breaking. I've owned my car for nearly three years and the windshield glass has cracked three times now. More so than any other vehicle I've owned. I think it is a design flaw which makes the glass too thin / brittle.
My windshield is cracked. It is available for inspection. This could cause my whole windshield to break and possibly get a ticket and crash. Nothing has been reproduced or confirmed. It happened today. I noticed it when I was got in the car to leave work. It has not been inspected by anyone. No warning lamps or messages. Just happened today.
Since purchasing this vehicle in October, 2016, I have purchased two new batteries. It continues to die with no apparent reason. Even with a new battery that was installed this past spring, it died again on July 5th. Yes, it is available for inspection. Nobody was at risk. The mechanic who works on my car checked the battery before he replaced it a second time. He said there was nothing wrong with it; then, when he changed the oil and did some routine maintenance, it died. He replaced it a second time. This was in the spring. There were no warnings. I need to reset the automatic window feature each time this happens. I do not understand why the battery continues to be a problem. I have had to get it jumped multiple times, both in my garage as well as the parking lot at work.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2017 Subaru Forester has 69 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.