2017 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 8%of 592 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Subaru Forester, 8% of the 592 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,400 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.
“Reference Subaru TSB # 16-103-16r, revision 08/29/19. I pulled screenshots, but I have a full video clip of the leak described in this bulletin and Subaru is denying coverage because their dealerships are not equipped with the proper tools or do not employ trained technicians in order to properly diagnose the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11363481, filed 2020-10, 61,690 miles“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“Have a 2017 Forester. At least a couple times a week, the key get stuck in the ignition. You can turn the car off, but you can't remove the key. If I start the car back up, and shift it into drive, and them slam it back into park, then I can turn the car off and remove the key.”
NHTSA complaint #11353972, filed 2020-09, 35,000 miles“I bought a certified pre-owned 2017 Subaru Forester on june 19 2020. I have had an intermittent safety issue with the vehicle not responding correctly when I try to accelerate since. When I press the gas pedal the car will begin to accelerate with my rpms rising normally. Then my rpms will start to drop when they would normally rise and my car stops or maintains the acceleration prior. Once they have dropped they will stay there for a little and then will shoot up suddenly and red line. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414188, filed 2021-04, 55,338 miles“On three separate occasions thus far, while driving approximately 70 MPH on interstate 93 in massachusetts and new hampshire, my 2017 Subaru Forester touring (with 21k miles) lost power and completely shutdown. All three times, I was luckily able to steer the vehicle to safety while avoiding other motor vehicles and neither myself, my passengers nor anyone else around us was hurt. When the vehicle decides to shutdown, it feels like the car drops itself into neutral, the rpms shoot up to about 4500-5000 and all of the lights on the dashboard light up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289678, filed 2019-12, 21,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Forester
166 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
116 complaintsElectrical system
106 complaintsOther or unknown
97 complaintsEngine
47 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 30, 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