What 577 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Forester

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after driving into a parking space in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle jolted and veered to the right. The passenger's side of the vehicle hit the driver's side of another occupied vehicle. The other vehicle was scratched and there was no injury sustained. The contact stated she then reversed out of the parking space, and the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The vehicle then accelerated unintendedly while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal continuously but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then shifted into drive (D), and the vehicle accelerated increasingly. The contact swerved and hit another unoccupied vehicle; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate unintendedly. The contact stated that she then attempted to drive into a tree to stop the vehicle, but a high curb caused the contact to miss the tree, and the vehicle crashed into an unoccupied vehicle that was parked behind the tree. The vehicle then stopped. The unoccupied vehicle then hit another vehicle, which caused a train of reaction that involved 6 unoccupied vehicles. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that an unknown rear tire blew out, and the vehicle was severely damaged. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to another lot, where it was totaled. There was no police report filed. The contact sustained pain in the right SI joint and on the right leg. The contact stated that the incident might have intensified her pre-existing neck injury. The contact also sustained mental and emotional trauma. The contact received medical assistance and was undergoing physical therapy. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567531

When I pulled into a parking spot in a parking lot, the car seemed to go faster than I intended. I swiped a car next to me, which to me as it was not a tight space. I immediately, turned off the engine and dealt with the passenger of the other vehicle, exchanging information. After sometime, I got back in my car to move it to another location. As soon as the motor was running in reverse, in began to accelerate making a loud roaring noise. I stepped on the brakes, meanwhile going in reverse at an accelerating speed, trying to keep away from cars parked on either side. I also pulled up the emergency brake. At the end of the row, I felt I could move forward without hitting many cars and hoping that in doing so, it would now slow down. It did not. At that point, I thought the only way to stop it, was going to be hitting something. (I did not want to go out of the parking lot into traffic). I aimed for a small tree, not realizing that there was a high curb surrounding it. The car hit the curb and flew over it, missing the tree, blowing out a rear tire, and hitting another parked car. That car slid into another car causing a chain reaction with still another car. There were 6 cars that were damaged in all. My insurance company is involved, but I do have a cap on how much liability I can pay.

NHTSA ODI 11564881

The incident happened at my workplace parking garage. As I slowly turned left to park in parking spot at work, I heard the engine rev and my car unexpectedly lurched forward very quickly. I stepped hard on the brake but it did not seem effective at stopping the car. I recently replaced my brakes in late August, 2023. As far as I know, before today my car was in proper working order. My vehicle is equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and I don't believe that the warning collision activated even as the car plowed towards the wall. The car hit the concrete parking block/wheel stop and then the heavy wire barrier at front the parking spot. The wire barrier sits between the front of the parking spot and parking structure wall (I would guess about a 12 inch gap between wires and wall). The wire barrier probably prevented the car from hitting the wall and causing greater property damage or injury to myself. So far, damage looks cosmetic. The front bumper is scratched (some paint taken off) and scuffed from the wire barrier and the bottom half of my license plate frame broke off. I am feeling rattled and I'm unsure if I have injuries. I intend to contact my dealership and car mechanic for suggestions on next steps and will likely ask them to inspect my car.

NHTSA ODI 11557428

On May 20, 2022, I was attempting to back into a parking space when my car lunged forward and crashed into two parked cars. I suffered a cracked sternum. No one else was hurt but I was just a few feet from the ground-level windows of a motel. Much body damage to my car (in excess of $13,000) and the other two cars. Police report was filed. Insurance claim filed. No reproduction of problem sought from manufacturer or dealer. No warning signals from car. Assumption made of driver at fault accident. However, please refer to Detroit Free Press article printed 4/22/23: https://freep-mi.newsmemory.com/?publink=0dd2ac172_134ab3a

NHTSA ODI 11518420

After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle, a 2017 Subaru Forrester suddenly and without driver input surged forward. It crashed into a large garbage can directly in front of the vehicle, crushing it. It then continued forward crushing two whole-home air conditioning units and driving one of them into a brick wall, dislodging and breaking some of the bricks. The vehicle suffered considerable front end damage including the bumper, right front fender, and right headlight. The collision avoidance system should have prevented this occurrence as the flat sided municipal type garbage can was directly in front of the car. Furthermore the front air-bag did not deploy despite the considerable damage to the front bumper.

NHTSA ODI 11479243

Sitting in line to get gas and when I put car in Drive it went to full throttle and struck two vehicles in front of me. Car ended up on resting on driver's side and had to be towed.

NHTSA ODI 11473436

2017 Subaru Forester- I had arrived to work and stopped at parking spot. Before I could put car in park position.. I heard a car high pitch revving sound. The car throttles forward and hit a building. Now I’m scared of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11468814

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph and making a turn, the vehicle hydroplaned as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently accelerated while hydroplaning going across 3 lanes of oncoming traffic and hit a curve. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire detached from the vehicle. No one was injured, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot where it was deemed as a total loss. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,959.

NHTSA ODI 11436842

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP THE CEMENT BUMPER AND THE BUSHES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REVVING WHEN TURNED OFF AND PLACED IN PARK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CREWS SUBARU OF CHARLESTON 8261 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406; (843) 820-4200) WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,050.

NHTSA ODI 11398519

2017 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11258139

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11173400

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE THREE TIMES AND A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND LATER TOWED TO MCKENNA SUBARU (LOCATED AT 1880 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648, (888) 685-1421). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR1-36575883866. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 11154322

ACCIDENT 9/24/2017, 2017 SUBARU FORESTER, 11,000. MILES. DRIVING SLOWLY IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT, ON A DRY SUNNY MORNING, AROUND 10 AM, AFTER PUSHING ON THE BRAKES MY CAR ACCELERATED. MY CAR RAN ON IT'S OWN WHEN TURNED OFF, THEN I PUT IT IN PARK, IT LUNGED OVER A CEMENT PLANTER, ON OFF AND PUT IN PARK, IT HIT A TREE A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT STOPPED ITSELF. THERE WAS BUMPER DAMAGE. GEICO MY INSURER ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO PRESTIGE AUTO, IN MISSION VIEJO, CA THE BRAKES AND CAUSE OF CAR ACCELERATION WAS NOT WORKED ON, THE INSURANCE COMPANY ACTED UNETHICALLY, THEY DIDN'T CARE IF I GOT INTO ANOTHER ACCIDENT, THEY WITHHELD INFORMATION AND URGED ME TO TAKE THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM, THEY CHECKED AND WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND I AM WAITING ON THEM TO INSPECT THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI 11141018

ON 9/29/18, 1:35 PM WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE AND INITIATING A TURN TO THE RIGHT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM IDLE TO FULL THROTTLE UNINTENTIONALLY AND LAUNCHED ITSELF TOWARDS A 12' X 20' WOOD FRAMED OUTBUILDING ON OUR PROPERTY WHICH HAS AN ATTACHED DECK. BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHUT OFF IT HAD JUMPED UP ONTO THE DECK AND SMASHED INTO AND PARTIALLY PENETRATED THE FRONT OF THE OUTBUILDING. FORWARD PROGRESS WAS HALTED WHEN THE REAR PORTION OF THE CAR HAD BECOME HIGH CENTERED ON THE EDGE OF THE DECK. PRESENTLY THE CAR IS STILL ON THE DECK AND PARTIALLY IN THE BUILDING. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS I" OFF THE GROUND. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DUG ITSELF 3" DOWN INTO THE GRAVEL. - NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED BY ONLY THE DRIVER. - THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR EXPERIENCED TWO (2) SIGNIFICANT IMPACT EVENTS. 1ST WHEN IT HIT A TEMPORARY WOOD STEP AND THE EDGE OF THE DECK (18" ABOVE GRADE) AND 2ND WHEN IT STRUCK THE BUILDING. MOST OF THE BUMPER WAS TORN OFF THE CAR WHEN IT HIT THE DECK AND IS NOW PINNED UNDER THE CAR. THE IMPACT SHIFTED THE BUILDING APPROX. 3/8" ON IT'S POST & PIER FOUNDATION. - THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN & SUBMITTED ON 10/1/18. - A WRECKER IS SCHEDULED TO EXTRICATE THE CAR FROM THE OUTBUILDING ON 10/2/18. - THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKING AREA WHERE THIS OCCURRED IS CRUSHED ROCK/GRAVEL. - THE DISTANCE FROM WHERE THE CAR INSTANTLY ACCELERATED TO THE EDGE OF THE DECK WAS APPROXIMATELY 22 FEET. THE FACE OF THE OUTBUILDING IS 8 FEET FROM THE EDGE OF THE DECK. THE DISTANCE COVERED BY THE CAR DURING THIS ACCIDENT WAS APPROX. 30 PLUS FEET. - DURING THIS EVENT AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CONTROL/STOP THE CAR WITH EXTREME APPLICATION OF THE FOOT BRAKE AND HANDBRAKE AND ULTIMATELY THE STOP BUTTON. - IT WAS A DRY, SUNNY, EARLY FALL DAY IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS IN WASHINGTON STATE.

NHTSA ODI 11132690

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND STRUCK TWO VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. PLANET SUBARU IN HANOVER, MASSACHUSETTS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11099947

AFTER BACKING UP, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR (I WAS IN A SMALL PARKING LOT). THE ACCELERATOR LEFT MY FOOT AND FULLY DEPRESSED BY ITSELF WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11092294

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, IT SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT WRIST, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,120. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11084047

AFTER BACKING UP IN A GAS STATION, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL WITH THE INTENTION OF MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY. I FELT THE GAS PETAL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN ALL BY ITSELF - THE CAR TOOK OFF! I HIT A LANDSCAPE BOX TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI 11073997