2017 Subaru Forester

2017 Subaru Forester recalls (1)

• AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

  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.

  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.

2017 Subaru Forester safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2017 Subaru Forester owner complaints (15)

• SUSPENSION

  The front lower control arm bushing were breaking apart at 53,156 miles. Shop reported significant play in the wheel while on the stand. Sounds like a safety hazards.

• AIR BAGS

  My 2017 had the passenger airbag sensor recall in 2020. It went into for repair. It began going off again where the passenger seat airbag is off when a passenger is in the seat in 2023 on and off. It consistently began going off again in August 2024. I spoke to subaru corporate and they said they needed to replace the whole seat and wouldn't cover the cost of the whole repair of 1600. The part had a long backorder because so many cars are affected. I didn't receive a new part until June 2025. The local dealer replaced the seat. Now not even a year later the passenger airbag sensor is off with a passenger. This is our only car that fits our whole family and my family has to sit in the seat. This is a massive safety issue that Subaru is not taking responsibility for ongoing repairs even after the 2020 recall. I'm extremely concerned for the safety of my passengers.

• AIR BAGS,SEATS

  The recall repair for the ODS has failed again.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I own a 2017 Subaru Forester with approximately 55,324 miles. The vehicle has experienced repeated rear wheel bearing failures at relatively low mileage. On October 1, 2024, at 48,877 miles, the passenger-side rear wheel hub assembly, including the wheel bearing, was replaced by a Subaru dealership. Subaru provided goodwill assistance for that repair. At approximately 55,324 miles, both rear wheel bearings were diagnosed as failed and required replacement. The failure was confirmed by a Subaru dealer and an independent repair facility. Manufacturer was contacted regarding assistance but declined coverage support. Consequently this most recent repair was performed by independent repair shop. Prior to replacement, the vehicle exhibited increasing humming, roaring, and grinding noises from the rear, which worsened with vehicle speed. No warning lights were illuminated. I am concerned about repeated premature rear wheel bearing failures and the potential safety risk associated with wheel bearing deterioration, including loss of wheel stability and vehicle control if the condition progresses while driving.

• AIR BAGS,SEATS

  Had recall completed for passenger airbag prior now SRS airbag on since 6/7/2026 per dealer code B1650 & B1760 as history codes. States found passenger side airbag sensor has erratic operation, recommended replacing seat bottom with integrated sensor for $2015 at Spreen Subaru of San Bernardino. Why is the sensor failing again? Unable to drive vehicle due to potential of airbags not deploying, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. No other issues with vehicle no one in front passenger seat when SRS airbag illuminated on dashboard, no spills, have seat covers to protect from ant fluids. No accidents that would cause this issue.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  My windshield cracked significantly after shutting the passenger side door. I chalked that up to maybe a possible chip was put under stress, until a few months later, my driver's side window burst spontaneously right in front of my eyes as I was shutting the trunk door. The pieces went half inside the car and half outside the car. Even though most of it was chunks of glass, I have been sliced and cut up trying to remove it from the driver's, passenger and rear seats, carpets, doors, etc. The entire thing shattered completely, like it almost exploded. The car was parked in the shade on a relatively cool day (it was about 75 degrees) and had not been running.

• AIR BAGS

  2017 Subaru Forester with heated seats. Recall WUM-98 / NHTSA Campaign 19V701000 was completed in 2020 by previous owner, replacing the ODS sensor mat harness. The same passenger airbag OFF condition has now returned. Dealer has diagnosed failure of the ODS sensor mat (seat bottom subassembly), quoting $1,800 for repair. This is the same safety defect — same system, same symptom — that the recall was intended to fix. The vehicle has approximately 17,000 miles and has been garage-kept. Subaru of America (Case #260512-1901206) offered $1,000 goodwill toward the repair, acknowledging partial responsibility, but has not responded to further communications in over two weeks. I am filing this complaint to document that the WUM-98 remedy was incomplete and that this safety defect remains unresolved.

• AIR BAGS

  The passenger airbag sensor does not sense when I have a passenger in the vehicle. This was a recalled issue and was fixed. However, the fix did not work and Subaru dealership says that they already fixed it and it is because water probably got on the seat. I have not let water get on the seat, and even if I did that would be a very poor design for a safety feature. I imagine people would spill or get rain on the seat very easily. Subaru also refused to fix it under the recall because my car was written off for cosmetic hail damage. So I asked if they could fix it and I pay for it -they quoted me to replace the entire passenger seat, but said there are no parts coming in so they couldn't fix it anyway. In many online Subaru forums, other owners have said their passenger airbag recalls were not sufficiently fixed and other dealerships also blamed the customer and a potential water spill.

• POWER TRAIN

  2017 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 40,000 MILES, REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND PLATE ARE BAD. $2100.00 TO FIX. SEEMS A LITTLE EARLY IN MILEAGE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE READ ABOUT BAD REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND PLATE FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE.

• AIR BAGS

  Within months of purchasing this car new in 2017, the passenger airbag warning light came on indicating there was something wrong with the airbag (and presumably that it would not work in the event of an accident). The issue was assessed at multiple Subaru dealerships over a few years and no one could figure out what the problem was. They tried many superficial solutions but the light remains on. The car is now well beyond the warranty period, but I am sitll concerned about as I feel less safe knowing that we will continue to drive this car for years to come.

• AIR BAGS

  My 2017 Subaru Forrester has experienced a second failure of the front passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor mat, error code B1760. This system controls whether the passenger airbag is active — when the warning light is on, the airbag will not deploy, creating a serious safety risk for passengers. This is the second occurrence of this failure. The first repair was completed approximately six years ago. The vehicle has now been quoted 2,800 for repair at an authorized Subaru dealership. This appears to be a widespread and recurring defect across multiple Subaru models. I am concerned that a single repair does not resolve the underlying issue, and that many owners may be driving with a non-functional passenger airbag without realizing it.

• STRUCTURE

  I was driving around the city at about 25mph and the hood flew open, almost entirely blocking my view out the front of the car. I was able to pull off into a parking lot and reclose the hood and get home. A couple of days later, I set out on a longer road trip and I carefully checked that the hood was closed securely, even texting my partner about it when I checked. 3 or 4 hours into the drive, while going 65mph on the interstate, the hood flew open again, shattering through the windshield. Thankfully I was able to avoid any collisions and pull over to the side of the road, but the windshield, hood, fenders, sunroof, and some interior pieces (rearview mirror, console on the roof) were dislodged. My passenger and I could easily have been killed.

• SEATS

  The driver’s seat in my 2017 Subaru Forester suddenly became loose and moves left to right while driving. The vehicle has only 27,000 miles, has never been in an accident, and has been meticulously maintained. The Subaru dealer diagnosed failed seat frame rail guides and replaced the entire seat undercarriage at a cost of $1,742 because the guides cannot be replaced individually. The dealer stated they had never seen this failure before. Because the seat moves laterally while driving, I believe this represents a potential safety defect.

• AIR BAGS

  My 2017 Subaru Forester [Touring] (VIN: [VIN]) has a recurring front passenger airbag deactivation problem even when an adult is seated and belted. The console shows “Passenger Airbag OFF” with an adult occupant. The seatbelt chime recognizes a passenger, but the airbag remains OFF. In many cases, the airbag will only enable if the passenger sits after engine start—classic Occupant Detection System (ODS) misclassification behavior. The ODS recall WUM‑98 (NHTSA 19V‑701) for 2015–2018 Forester was completed before I purchased the vehicle in April 2020, but the same safety condition has returned. On 02/25/2025 at Subaru of Sterling (VA), the dealer wrote: “Seats: occupant detection sensor mat circuit code. passenger side seat sensor mat has failed causing air bag light. recommend replacing passenger side seat bottom in the amount of 2,276.51.” I was also told the recall was “voided” because it had been completed before my ownership, and I must pay 2,276.51 to restore airbag function. I opened a case with Subaru of America: 25‑982548‑811. This is the same hazard identified in NHTSA 19V‑701 (Subaru WUM‑98)—the ODS may misclassify an occupied seat and deactivate the passenger airbag, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. I am requesting NHTSA to record this as a post‑remedy recurrence and to follow up with Subaru to ensure a permanent corrective action (e.g., seat cushion/ODS sensor replacement) without shifting cost to owners. I can provide the dealer RO/estimate and photos/video upon request. Dates & Dealer: Subaru of Sterling (VA), 02/25/2025; RO amount 2,276.51 SOA Case: 25‑982548‑811 Recall Reference: Subaru WUM‑98 / NHTSA 19V‑701 (Forester 2015–2018 ODS misclassification)

• LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  My 2017 Subaru Forester Touring (VIN: [XXX] , 118,200 mi) has a recurring EyeSight failure where the system becomes disabled and will not complete camera registration or calibration. Subaru of Sterling (VA) diagnosed active code B28A0 “Vehicle Model Judgment” and noted that the EyeSight stereo camera would not accept vehicle model registration. The technician documented: “Error for camera adjustment incomplete. When attempting to relearn UI for Eyesight camera, system is not taking vehicle registration; suggests camera replacement and perform recalibration.” This occurred after a confirmed DCM/STARLINK parasitic draw had caused repeated low‑voltage conditions until the dealer reset the DCM to factory mode (per the RO: “No further draw present at this time”), suggesting EyeSight registration may have failed due to prior voltage instability rather than true hardware failure. Subaru's service flow for B28A0 indicates this code can occur when the model write/registration is incomplete, interrupted, or mismatched—not necessarily when a camera has failed. Subaru lists causes such as: CAN communication issues, incorrect model registration, incomplete write due to ignition timing, or power/fuse issues during aiming (EyeSight diagnostic manuals). I am reporting this to NHTSA because EyeSight is a safety-critical system that governs adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking. My dealer is recommending camera replacement without documenting that Subaru’s required pre‑replacement steps (model registration inspection, CAN/LAN re-scan, voltage and fuse verification, genuine-part verification, etc.) have been completed. I request ODI review because EyeSight should not fail to register unless hardware is defective or a procedural/voltage issue exists. I want this documented in case this represents a broader pattern of EyeSight registration/calibration failures on Forester models using the same stereo camera platform. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)