CarRecallDB

2017 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

1 recall and 592 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Forester.

1
recalls
592
owner complaints
40
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2017 Subaru Forester recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · reported October 3, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 366,282 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 20, 2026 · Seats

After replacement of the passenger ODS harness under recall WUM-98, the system still fails to detect a passenger in the seat, making it impossible for me to safely drive with a passenger. Subaru will not fairly cover the defect and would have to install a new seat and recode the new seat to the airbag module. The…

Oct 19, 2026 · Suspension

I am filing a formal complaint regarding repeated, costly, and premature failures on my 2017 Subaru Forester, as well as the outright refusal by Subaru Consumer Advocacy to provide financial relief or goodwill reimbursement. Between 2024 and 2026, reaching under 90,000 miles, I was forced to pay out-of-pocket for over…

Oct 13, 2026 · Power train

Valve control assembly failure. A known TSB. Disables safety features of the car. Should be a recall.

Oct 13, 2026 · Power train

TRANSMISSION LIGHT OVER HEATING COMES ON

Oct 8, 2026 · Air bags

the occupant detection system has failed for years, the subaru dealership keep temporarily fixing the problem and has finally quoted me 2,000 to completely replace the seat as that is where the sensor is located. If i get in a wreck with a passenger they will have no airbag, and i dont think the seatbelts would work…

Forester model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2014 2403483
2015 3615537
2016 3416403
2017 1592401
2018 3498261
2019 38343711
2020 0603269

Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →

Questions

Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2017 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 3, 2019 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester?
Owners have filed 592 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (166 complaints), followed by electrical system (106).
How many 2017 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?
40 of 592 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 28 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 20, 2026.