What 577 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Forester

I've had to replace the battery three (3) times in a four (4) year old vehicle. I've had several calls to AAA for a jump start (to then get to Dealer to replace battery) and I had to purchase a rapid charger which I must carry in my car all the time in case the battery dies again. The problem with the battery began within the first year of purchase and has continued two times afterwards replacing the battery now 3 times Below I put the last time this happened. I've been stranded numerous times and I shouldn't have to keep jump starting my car. I've brought this concern to the Dealer (Sunset Subaru, Sarasota) and it is not taken seriously. In my opinion, this has been and continues to be a technical problem going back to the purchase of the vehicle in question.

NHTSA ODI 11425411

The issue is sudden battery drain. The risk is being stranded. Unfortunately the drain happens randomly. The battery has been been replaced twice since 2017. Last battery replaced 11/19. I noticed this is an issue with this car and there are many complaints.

NHTSA ODI 11425549

My new battery completely drained over a weekend in my garage. I had AAA jump the battery and drove to their service center to check the battery to see if it was damaged. They said it was in great condition, no problems they could detect. A few days after the battery drain I found the passenger side window will not operate from the driver side console. I have an appointment with the Subaru dealership to investigate the problem. This is the second time I have had a complete battery drain on this vehicle. I am now on 2nd battery and there is only 18,867 miles on the vehicle. We could not find any reason for the drains.

NHTSA ODI 11424946

Battery drain. I've replaced the battery once around 30000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11424643

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start due to battery drainage. The contact stated that the battery had to be connected to a battery charger after each use. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,375.

NHTSA ODI 11424681

The battery in my 2017 Subaru Forester was completely drained of power in 4 days of non-operation of the vehicle. The battery in question was installed on 10/4/2020 by my Subaru dealer to replace a battery that also had drained of power and would not take a charge. I presume the current battery was fully charged by my trip home to Arlington, VA from Philadelphia, PA on July 5, 2021. I tried to start this vehicle around noon on July 10, 2021 only to find that the battery was completely dead. The electronic key did not work. All internal screens are black. No response to key in ignition; not even a rattling noise. This is two dead batteries in less than two years of ownership. The current battery is only 9 1/2 months old.

NHTSA ODI 11424214

With engine running and shift lever in Park (CVT transmission) driver is unable to turn the engine off or remove the ignition key from the steering wheel. This occurs sporadically/unpredictably such that driver has no forewarning and cannot take proactive steps to avoid the problem, resulting in instances where driver is forced to leave the car running in situations that present safety concerns. (Examples: in a garage or enclosed area; when temporarily exiting vehicle necessitating leaving the doors unlocked; etc.). The problem is widespread in Subaru vehicles and consistent with problems exhibited/described in Subaru Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #16-112-18R for which no recall has to date been issued for corrective action by Subaru. Driver was told by Subaru of America that a diagnostics test is needed by a Subaru dealer to verify existence of the problem (which as stated occurs unpredictably) at driver's expense (locally approximately $140), with repair coverage of defective/poorly-designed shift or electrical components not being covered by Subaru beyond the standard warranty period for the affected vehicle. estimated cost of repair for defects as listed in the TSB (per on-line sources)...$400-$650 depending on dealer and geographical location.

NHTSA ODI 11420270

The vehicle does not recognize when it is park (a problem with a sensor down by the shifter) so it is nearly impossible to take the key out of the ignition. Although Subaru has created a TSB 16-112-18R that nhtsa is aware of, I want to report this happening to my vehicle. I believe it is a very dangerous situation to experience especially with children as passengers in the vehicle. I’ve had to bypass the sensor on my own due to the cost ($500+) of the repair ...

NHTSA ODI 11419194

THE BATTERY ON MY 2017 FORESTER HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THREE TIMES AFTER BEING FOUND DEAD. ALL THREE TIMES SUBARU HAS SAID IT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THE BATTERY COULDN'T BE JUMPED AND MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IF IT HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. LUCKILY IT WAS AT MY HOUSE ALL THREE TIMES SO ONLY A SIMPLE TOW. IF THIS HAPPENED 300 MILES OFF ROAD, IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11416767

BATTERY GOES DEAD AND MUST BE REPLACED IF NOT DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE.

NHTSA ODI 11416737

THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, LEFT STATIONARY, AND NOT IN USE, WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11416648

IN NOV 2019 WE LEFT THE CAR PARKED FOR A WEEK AT THE CRUISE TERMINAL WHILE STATIONED OVERSEAS IN ITALY. WE WE CAME BACK, THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD JUMPED. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS THE CAR HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING AND WE ENDED UP TAKING THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN FROSINONE, ITALY. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WE WERE NOT THE FIRST FORRESTER OWNERS TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11416651

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WHICH IS ROLLED UP COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THERE ARE NO CRACKS NO INDENTATION THAT THE GLASS WOULD HAVE BROKEN AT TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONLY ISSUE LEADING UP TO THIS THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP ALL THE WAY AT TIMES. WHICH IS WHY I PERSONALLY NEVER ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN ONCE I KNEW THAT WAS AN ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11414092

2017 SUBARU FORESTER BATTERY DRAINS POWER AND LEAVES CAR TOTALLY DEAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASE (1/2017). BATTERY DIED IN 2018 TWICE: ONCE DURING SUMMER AND ONCE IN NOVEMBER. (ONE TIME SUBARU SERVICE ROADSIDE ASSIST WAS USED, 11/18, AND ONE TIME A FRIEND CHARGED BATTERY). THIRD TIME BATTERY DIED WAS 3/19. BROUGHT CARE TO DEALER ON 4/29/19 WITH COMPLAINT OF BATTERY DRAIN. SUBARU TESTED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD AND WOULD NOT REPLACE BATTERY. IN 1/20 BATTERY AGAIN DIED AND ON 1/29/20 TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SUBARU DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF BATTERY DRAIN. SUBARU CHECKED THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND UPDATES. BATTERY FAILED TESTING AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/22/21 BATTERY AGAIN DIED. I CALLED SUBARU SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE MY CAR TESTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE CAR THAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE MANAGER REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING LEFT ON BY ME WHILE THE CARE WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11413541

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY OCCASIONALLY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE SHIFTER SENSOR OR THE KEY SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11406547

I'VE BEEN HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH TAKING MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT START OF HAPPENING ONCE IN AWHILE AND NOW EVERYTIME I TURN OFF MY CAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT. I SEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND READ ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY BRYAN SUBARU AND THEY SAID THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 11398849

THESE MODELS HAVE AMPLIFIER SOUND ISSUES THAT ROUTINELY CAUSE THE AMPLIFIER TO FAIL AND CUT THE SOUND. THIS COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE A CRASH BY DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. THE AMPS ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO FAILING AND CAUSE EAR DEAFENING TONES, NO SOUND, CRACKLING ETC. THE PROBLEM IS EXTREME AND DEALERS HAVE NO APPARENT WAY OF RECTIFYING THE ISSUE. THE INTERNET IS LOADED WITH CUSTOMERS REPORTING THIS INCLUDING MYSELF. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD FIXED. NORMAL DEVICE FAILURE IS FINE BUT THIS IS OVER THE TOP. MY CAR WENT TO THE DEALER ROUGHLY 4 TIMES DUE TO THIS. MY VEHICLE PRODUCED A EAR PIERCING SOUND IN MID WINTER WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO GAS STATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PROTECT MY EARS AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS SILLY BUT THE SOUND SYSTEM IS ROUGHLY 500W AND THAT MIXED WITH THE HIGH PITCHED TONES IS EAR DAMAGING. I'M LUCKY I DID NOT CRASH. THE ONLY WAY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY WAS PHYSICALLY UNPLUGGING THE AMPLIFIER. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11397613

THIS IS A 2017 FORRESTER. THE BATTERY KEEPS REPEATEDLY DYING. FOR EXAMPLE: HAD TO JUMP IN LAST NIGHT, DROVE IT FOR 45 MINUTES TO ENSURE IT SHOULD BE CHARGED BACK UP. IT WAS IN OUR GARAGE LAST NIGHT - AND TODAY, IT WON'T START AND WE CAN'T JUMP IT EITHER. AWAITING A TOW TRUCK. THIS BATTERY HAS REQUIRED A JUMP AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. TALKING TO MULTIPLE SUBARU OWNERS REVEALS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE - ONE SUBARU 'SOLVES' BY PUTTING IN A NEW BATTERY (AT MY COST) AND THEN IT WILL DIE TOO.

NHTSA ODI 11397114

PERIODICALLY UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS. KEY IS "LOCKED" IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO COMPLETELY "TURN OFF" KEY SWITCH AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. ONLY RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SHIFT THE GEARS AND REATTEMPT TO TURN CAR OFF AND REMOVE KEY. THIS IS ALSO, LIKELY, AFFECTING BEING ABLE TO USE THE REMOTE START FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11395156

INTERMITTENTLY, THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO TO THE "OFF" POSITION SO THAT I COULD REMOVE IT AFTER THE CAR WAS IN "PARK." I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE IT (THE KEY) BACK TO THE "ON" POSITION, THEN BACK AGAIN TO THE "OFF" POSITION (BEYOND THE "ACC" SETTING).

NHTSA ODI 11385772

INTERMITTENTLY, I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. RESTARTING THE CAR, TAKING IT OUT OF PARK, AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO PARK (SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ITERATIONS) EVENTUALLY ALLOWS THE KEY TO RELEASE.

NHTSA ODI 11366560

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65-75MPH AND WE WENT UP A GRADE (CUESTA GRADE) ALONG 101 FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA AND VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER WHILE CLIMBING UP THE HILL. ULTIMATELY, NO POWER WAS EVER REGAINED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND STOPPED. WE WERE STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO CALL 911 TO HAVE A CHP OFFER PARK BEHIND US SO THAT WE WOULD NOT BE HIT BECAUSE WE WERE PARTIALLY IN THE LANE. THE CAR COULD NOT MOVE SO WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. WE RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VEHICLE EMISSIONS CONTROLS, HILL ASSIST, AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING. SUBARU RECENTLY MADE A RECALL ON MODELS THAT HAVE HAD A LOSS OF POWER BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST BUT I DID EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CAN YOU ASSIST?

NHTSA ODI 11363958

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 ODI 11360997

FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ALL OF SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND, THE CAR PANEL WENT BLACK, NO LIGHTS OR INFO SHOWED. I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, IGNITION ON. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT WOULDN'T GO ON. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SECOND TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ALL OF SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND, THE CAR PANEL WENT BLACK, NO LIGHTS OR INFO SHOWED. I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, IGNITION ON. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT WOULDN'T GO ON. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND INTO PARK AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I ROCKED THE CAR SIDE TO SIDE AND THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY PRESSURE TESTED FUEL PUMP AND FOUND A SLIGHT PRESSURE DROP ONCE DURING THE TEST. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT 18,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11361001

AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE ON 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, AND PUTTING GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND IT WAS LOCKED IN ACCESSORY POSITION..AFTER MANY TRIES AND BY CALLING DEALER, PUTTING THE SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL THEN PARK ENABLED ME TO REMOVE IT. THIS OCCURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION. THE SHIFTER PLATE GUIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST WAS $662. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI 11355206