2017 Subaru Forester electrical system problems
106 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2017 Subaru Forester, which is 13% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 106 13% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 38,000 miles 49 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 15 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 49 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 38,000 miles, and 84% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
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.
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.
Other problems reported for the 2017 Subaru Forester
- Air bags 199 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 116 complaints
- Engine 48 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 43 complaints
- Seats 34 complaints
- Cruise control 33 complaints
- Steering 25 complaints
- Body & structure 16 complaints