Model year guide

2017 Subaru Forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2017 Subaru Forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 42 on record.

2017 Subaru Forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2017 Subaru Forester at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints576
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$19,535

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2017 Subaru Forester recalls 1

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #19V701000 · 03/10/2019

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2017 Subaru Forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Lane Departure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2017 Subaru Forester MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2017 Subaru Forester worth?

Low
$14,950
Typical price
$19,535
High
$25,998

From 34 comparable 2017 Subaru Forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2017 Subaru Forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,050
Total$17,050
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($19,535) with the same model 5 model-years older ($15,503), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2017 Subaru Forester trims & engines on record

Trims
Premium + CWP · Premium ES · Base + · Touring ES+Navi(H/K)+AP · Limited · Base · Touring +H/K · Limited + Navi(HK) · Premium
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 250 hp

2017 Subaru Forester vehicles on record

2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJGEC8HH432626 2017 Subaru Forester LimitedJF2SJAJC8HH541204 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJAEC2HH560843 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJGEC9HH512954 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGC8HH586876 2017 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC7HH524412 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJAEC7HH401199 2017 Subaru Forester Touring ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJGWCXHH510581 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Touring ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJGWC5HH537039 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGCXHH808687 2017 Subaru Forester Touring ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWC7HH495941 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGC5HH465190 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJGEC1HH494997 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGC1HH531802 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC9HH560960 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Limited + Navi(HK)JF2SJALC8HH455551 2017 Subaru Forester00000000000426630 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester Base +JF2SJABC3HH442644 2017 Subaru Forester Base +JF2SJABC7HH592840 2017 Subaru Forester Premium + CWPJF2SJAEC5HH543793 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGCXHH453147 2017 Subaru Forester Base +JF2SJABC6HH591131 2017 Subaru Forester 2017 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC2HH807543 2017 Subaru Forester Premium ESJF2SJAGC4HH502052

Other Subaru Forester model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2017 Subaru Forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2017 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Forester?

Based on 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, seats, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Forester at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2017 Subaru Forester worth?

Comparable 2017 Subaru Forester listings run roughly $14,950–$25,998, typically around $19,535 (from 34 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.