2017 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2017 Subaru Forester: 1 recall, 588 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V701000 · 2019 · 366,282 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (165): the most common themes are warning light on (61), fails to deploy (19).
- Electrical (106): the most common themes are electrical failure (54), stalls / loses power (17).
- Visibility/Wiper (104): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), electrical failure (4).
- Other / unknown (96): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (9).
The 2017 Subaru Forester has 588 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (2.6× the average Forester year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (128 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 30,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2016 (415 complaints, 3 recalls), 2018 (498 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 27 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2017 Subaru Forester.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2017 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2017 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 588 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (165), electrical (106), visibility/wiper (104).
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2017 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.