2017 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 579 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“THE VEHICLE'S EYESIGHT SYSTEM EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAPPENED OFTEN DURING FOGGY AND RAINING DAYS.”NHTSA complaint 11193715 — filed 04/03/2019
“PASSENGER AIR BAG SWITCHES TO "OFF" DESPITE PASSENGER SITTING IN SEAT. SUBARU DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED FAULTY SENSOR, SUSPECTED CAUSE BEING SEAT COVERS. REMOVED SEAT COVER, SENSOR…”NHTSA complaint 11184544 — filed 03/06/2019
“SCREEN BLACKED OUT EVERYTHING WENT OFF, NO LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NO DASH BOARD VISION. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 11150690 — filed 11/10/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2017 Subaru Forester have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Subaru Forester: 101 of 579 complaints on file (17.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2017 Subaru Forester have in total?
579 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 39 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 27 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
