2017 Subaru Forester electrical system problems
105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2017 Subaru Forester — 18% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“There was a recall on this vehicle from 2022, and we did not own this vehicle at that time. Recall passenger side airbag contact under seat can cause fire or electrical issues. I contacted Subaru and they said the recall was satisfied in 2022. If that's the case, the repair piece must have been…”
filed Jan 13, 2026
“Two incidents happened first battery died, we replaced the battery. Then Battery died again, we replaced the alternator on June 5, 2025. Then on Saturday September 13, 2025; all system lights came on at once on the dashboard then the battery died again. Car locks up and is stalled out. Cannot…”
filed Dec 2, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 2, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 8 | 9% |
| 2024 Forester | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 Forester | 7 | 10% |
| 2022 Forester | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 Forester | 33 | 16% |
| 2020 Forester | 99 | 17% |
| 2019 Forester | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 Forester | 69 | 14% |
| 2016 Forester | 93 | 23% |
| 2015 Forester | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 Forester | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 Forester | 3 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.