2017 Subaru Forester Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 2%of 592 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the wheels of the 2017 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 592 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Three passenger front tire studs sheared, properly hand torqued prior, two lug nuts with studs retrieved in driveway, 20 deg f. Pulling out of garage lh turn, 3 MPH. Failed and remaining two studs retained when replaced. Possible nil ductility temp. Google revealed other recent. Failures”
NHTSA complaint #11185494, filed 2019-03, 31,000 miles“I am writing to inform you of the following problems with the steering system of my 2017 Subaru Forester: 1) When turning or changing car lanes, the steering wheel does not engage the wheels until the steering wheel is turned to about a 90 degree angle in the direction of the turn, left or right, 2) After making a turn, it takes more rotations of the steering wheel to come out of the turn than it took to make the turn. …”
NHTSA complaint #11421167, filed 2021-06“I believe this is my 3rd or 4th lug stud that's sheared off when removing. I believe it happened at the dealer once and the tire shop I have the tires rotated at two or three times in the last couple of years. This worries me that they may be weak and could potentially break, while driving, before removal breaks them. The boken stud is typically sheared and stuck inside the lug nut. Google searches would make this seem like it's not an uncommon issue. Subaru may have a TSB for rusted nuts already that may relate to this issue. TSB 05-79-20 is what I found through Google searches, if related.”
NHTSA complaint #11502941, filed 2023-01“Wheel lug nuts are frozen and cannot be removed without breaking the stud in many cases. TSB 05-79-20 mentions that Subaru was aware but offers no warranty for this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11628536, filed 2024-12Related 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…
- 10201813Sep 29, 2021This bulletin announces a change made to the wheel lug nuts.
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 13 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 4% |
| 2015 | 20 | 3% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 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 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsSuspension
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