The Lemon IndexAll cars · Subaru Forester · 2017
2017 Subaru Forester. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 3
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AV-S8) | AWD | 23 / 27 / 25 | Premium | $3,100 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | AWD | 26 / 32 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | AWD | 22 / 28 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,100 and 48,000 miles. Median 30,000, from 321 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 30,000 | 18,000–45,500 | 81 |
| Electrical | 38,000 | 20,000–49,500 | 49 |
| Wipers & visibility | 31,000 | 15,000–46,300 | 77 |
| Engine | 17,600 | 7,000–46,000 | 27 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 33,400 | 20,000–52,700 | 33 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Airbags | 39% |
| Wipers & visibility | 24% |
| Electrical | 12% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 9% |
| Engine | 9% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 590 | 40 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 31 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
19V701000 Oct 2019 Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification
Defect. 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.
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.
Remedy. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Occupant detection system (ods) failure | 2019 | 2020 |
Manufacturer communications 449
Subaru filed 449 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- ONLY 2016-2017MY: Those Models equipped with STARLINK Telematics
- This Service Information bulletin provides a revised Step to follow when diagnosing a DTC…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester, 22.4M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 3 | 357K |
| Oil changes & service | 2 | 252K |
| Steering & suspension | 2 | 250K |
| Transmission & shifter | 1 | 140K |
| Death wobble & steering | 1 | 75K |
| Driveshaft, axles & 4x4 | 1 | 59K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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