2017 Subaru Forester Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 4%of 592 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,825miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Subaru Forester, 4% of the 592 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,825 miles. 2 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.
“The power failed in traffic on city streets without warning while driving and almost caused an accident. It first happened when my wife was driving in traffic and it happened to me also in traffic who was about to make a turn.the car is very dangerous to drive. Took it to a dealership and they are trying to find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11176275, filed 2019-02, 43,000 miles“While stationary, the key will get stuck. It will not allow you to turn the car off.in case of an emergency, I would have a problem. It has happen twice , I m sure it will happen again.”
NHTSA complaint #11288263, filed 2019-12, 48,500 miles“I was driving my forrester 2019, notice that it would slowly move once I stopped at a stop sign. But then it would jerk into a faster pace. Yesterday as I was driving, I stop at a bank atm. When I went back to the vehicle I put my key in the ignition and nothing happened. Not a sound. So tried it several more times with the same results. I had to call for roadside service. They came and gave me a jump. The vehicle started with no problem. I did as the service person told me to let the vehicle run for at least 30 minutes so the cells can build up in the battery, so I did as I was told. …”
NHTSA complaint #11258886, filed 2019-09, 19,935 miles“I was on the new york state thruway, route 90, in new york state heading east on august 8, 2017, going approximately 65-70 MPH. I was going straight in the right hand lane. I reached over with right hand to adjust volume knob on radio and noticed vehicle drifting slightly to right. I pulled steering wheel to left to adjust car and vehicle veered sharply into adjoining lane (on left side of travelling lane) and then I could not it steer back into the travelling lane. It seemed that the vehicle did not respond to the steering: it felt as though I had lost control of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11023325, filed 2017-09, 1,500 miles“After attempting to turn off the car and remove the key from the ignition, the key will not remove. After some manhandling of the shifter and turning the car on and off, eventually, I am able to get the key out of the ignition. This is occurring 80% of the time now. The vehicle has about 37,000 miles and is less than 4 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #11326140, filed 2020-05, 37,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
- 10199960Jul 27, 2021As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcingan extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power…
- 10199957Jul 26, 2021As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your vehicleâs…
- 10199956Jul 26, 2021As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 5% |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Forester
166 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
116 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsOther or unknown
97 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
46 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 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 27, 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