2017 Subaru Forester: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
583 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Forester's record mirrors the Outback's: oil-consumption complaints on the FB25 engine in 2014–2015, a long moderate stretch, and then a spike for the 2019 model year with the fifth generation's launch — the Starlink infotainment, battery drain, and the EyeSight driver-assistance system braking unnecessarily. The 2021–2024 years score between 83 and 91. Read the full note on the model page. 2017 specifically: 583 complaints on record, score 65/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 583 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 64.78
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when I noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. I didn’t hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather It was strange to have happened and I thought it had to be a defective windshield. I looked to see if there were a recall and it was but not for the year but it was advised to su…
The airbag sensor in the passenger front seat has malfunctioned and it is indicating that the passenger airbag will not deploy. This is after the recall that was completed on the ODS from service campaign 19V701000.
Airbag sensor does not work. It is not activated when someone sits in the passenger seat. This was recalled in other Subaru Foresters but for some reason our specific vin number is not eligible for repair.
Recalls: 1 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V701000 | Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,050
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Air Bags164 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Electrical System106 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Visibility/Wiper104 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other96 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine46 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train44 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
Other Subaru Forester years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Air Bags (164 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 65/100, computed from 583 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Subaru Forester's most common problem?
164 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Subaru Forester sit in the Air Bags group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement: about 2.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $600–$1,700 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Subaru Forester cost to run per year?
About $6,210 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $31,052 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Subaru Forester, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/10/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Subaru Forester really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 583 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 583 NHTSA complaints on record (64.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (41.1/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems