The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 169 of 594 complaints (28%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 416 in 2016 to 594 in 2017.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 594
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$3,100
- Combined MPG
- 24–28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–3,100 | 2,300–3,100 | 2,200–3,100 | 2,200–3,100 | 2,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–27 | 25–27 | 24–28 | 24–28 | 29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–24 / 27–31 | 22–24 / 27–31 | 22–26 / 27–32 | 22–26 / 27–32 | 26 / 33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 332–364 | 332–364 | 315–368 | 315–368 | 310 | |
| Complaints filed | 617 | 416 | 594 | 498 | 834 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 53 | 40 | 40 | 26 | 37 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | |
| Injuries reported | 34 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Forester have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Subaru Forester?
Airbags & Restraints: 169 of 594 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 24–28 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,200–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $3,100 (high) | 359 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 315 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 | 368 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 48 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 46 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 106 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 169 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 42 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 50 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 98 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- Consequence
- If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.