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2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
578 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2015–2019 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness.
Why caution?
Airbags problems dominate (28% of complaints, typically reported near 30k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#233 of 434Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness ranks #233, scoring higher than 45% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 17%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Speed control (33)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Airbags
28%160 complaints · typically near 30k mi · 39 in the last 2 years
“The recall repair for the ODS has failed again.”
Visibility & wipers
20%115 complaints · typically near 11k mi · 3 in the last 2 years
“the car driven to work from 6:05 to 6:25am and parked in a parking lot. when my wife went out to eat lunch around noon, she noticed a crack running from the mirror to …”
Electrical system
18%105 complaints · typically near 30k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“Passenger airbag safety intermittently turns on stating that the passenger airbag is not able to deploy. If I turn the car off and on it goes away and doesn't turn unt…”
Engine
8%46 complaints · typically near 30k mi · 2 in the last 2 years
“Forester in known for chronic exhaust leak into cabin through AC vents. Reported this to dealership and they "could not find the problem." Cabin of vehicle smells heav…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 3 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 578 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 45 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Air Bags · 19V701000
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Subaru before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report airbags problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 30k miles). Has this car shown any airbags symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report visibility & wipers problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 11k miles). Has this car shown any visibility & wipers symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Subaru FORESTER WILDERNESS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Forester Wilderness model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Subaru Forester Wilderness against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.