2017 Subaru Forester Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 16%of 592 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2017 Subaru Forester, 16% of the 592 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving on the highway and the driver side window which is rolled up completely shattered. There are no cracks no indentation that the glass would have broken at time of the incident. The only issue leading up to this the window would not roll up all the way at times. Which is why I personally never rolled the window down once I knew that was an issue”
NHTSA complaint #11414092, filed 2021-04, 119,201 miles“Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Got into my vehicle following memorial day parade and started driving down the road (a small town road with speed limit of 35) and noticed a crack starting at the top edge of the windshield, about in the center. The crack eventually traveled into the driver's viewing area and I had to replace the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11310958, filed 2020-02, 41,000 miles“Continuous battery drainage issues. Over the past half a year I've had 3 battery replacements. My car was under warranty when the first battery replacement happened but has since then lapsed. In all of the cases, the battery would die after 2-3 days of not starting the car. Dealership insists that this is normal.”
NHTSA complaint #11323435, filed 2020-05, 30,000 miles“After parking and turning off the engine, the key can't be removed from the ignition. The key will only move to the accessory position and no further. Eventually by restarting the engine, driving back and forth and sometimes turning the wheels a little I've been able to remove the key from the ignition. I brought my car in to a Subaru service center and left it there for it to be checked tomorrow.”
NHTSA complaint #11340741, filed 2020-07, 33,660 miles“My car stole in the middle off highway on a very busy traffic time,, I can hear the engine but the car did not move, finally it moved very slowly and stop again, I almost got hit many times since vehicles were speeding over 65miles and no one will allow me to move to the shoulder, finally after 10 minutes the car engine accelerated and I was able to drive away, very scary situacin”
NHTSA complaint #11290612, filed 2019-12, 30 milesRelated service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 21% |
| 2025 | 21 | 21% |
| 2024 | 9 | 29% |
| 2023 | 20 | 27% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 43 | 20% |
| 2020 | 108 | 18% |
| 2019 | 145 | 17% |
| 2018 | 85 | 17% |
| 2017 | 97 | 16% |
| 2016 | 70 | 17% |
| 2015 | 74 | 12% |
| 2014 | 46 | 11% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 9 | 8% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 16% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Forester
166 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
116 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsWheels
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology