2017 Subaru Forester Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 592 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the body and structure of the 2017 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 592 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 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.
“Involved in a car accident that was where the Subaru was t-boned on the passenger side, resulting in extensive damage. Both front and rear door and all paneling on the passenger side had to be replaced. The side airbags failed to deploy upon impact. My vehicle was moving at 40mph and the vehicle that hit me was going 20-30mph and accelerating.”
NHTSA complaint #11265346, filed 2019-10, 41,500 miles“I've noticed the windshield glass is extremely susceptible to rock chipping from very small stones, as if the glass is extremely brittle. The chipping, mostly tiny pockets about 1/16 max in the surface of the outer glass, occurs during normal highway driving and especially on freeways . Although my report date is 10/10/19, the chipping has been going on for at least two years.”
NHTSA complaint #11267791, filed 2019-10, 20,000 miles“Accidentally placed my hand near the edge of the rear power lift gate when it was closing. Closed on my finger and did not auto reverse. Kept applying force until I managed to pull my finger out! Dangerous design”
NHTSA complaint #11268101, filed 2019-10, 50,000 miles“Windshield is extremely fragile. I haven't even had this car for two years yet and its already had two cracked windshields due to road debris. I've heard that Subaru made the glass thinner to save weight, not sure if that is true, but it seems crazy to have the windshield crack so easily (driving on regular roads, mostly highway). Also the glass is very expensive, and since my car is equipped with eyesight, it also needs to be recalibrated each time its replaced. I've had other cars for five times longer and never had two cracked windshields in the life of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11375082, filed 2020-11, 55,500 miles“On march 1, 2017 I was stopped at an intersection. After proceeding straight through the intersection and reaching a speed of approximately 10-15 MPH I heard an alert in my car, and simultaneously heard cars behind me sounding their horns. I quickly looked up into the rear view mirror and saw that the tailgate of my car had opened without warning while I was in motion, causing my dog to fall out of the back. This occurred after traveling for approximately 6-8 miles without ever receiving a dashboard alert that the tailgate was open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958676, filed 2017-03, 1,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11022304Aug 11, 2025This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 25 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 3% |
| 2015 | 20 | 3% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
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 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsBrakes
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