2017 Subaru Forester: false forward collision warnings

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · VA

My 2017 Subaru Forester Touring (VIN: [XXX] , 118,200 mi) has a recurring EyeSight failure where the system becomes disabled and will not complete camera registration or calibration. Subaru of Sterling (VA) diagnosed active code B28A0 “Vehicle Model Judgment” and noted that the EyeSight stereo camera would not accept vehicle model registration. The technician documented: “Error for camera adjustment incomplete. When attempting to relearn UI for Eyesight camera, system is not taking vehicle registration; suggests camera replacement and perform recalibration.” This occurred after a confirmed DCM/STARLINK parasitic draw had caused repeated low‑voltage conditions until the dealer reset the DCM to factory mode (per the RO: “No further draw present at this time”), suggesting EyeSight registration may have failed due to prior voltage instability rather than true hardware failure. Subaru's service flow for B28A0 indicates this code can occur when the model write/registration is incomplete, interrupted, or mismatched—not necessarily when a camera has failed. Subaru lists causes such as: CAN communication issues, incorrect model registration, incomplete write due to ignition timing, or power/fuse issues during aiming (EyeSight diagnostic manuals). I am reporting this to the federal safety agency because EyeSight is a safety-critical system that governs adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking. My dealer is recommending camera replacement without documenting that Subaru’s required pre‑replacement steps (model registration inspection, CAN/LAN re-scan, voltage and fuse verification, genuine-part verification, etc.) have been completed. I request ODI review because EyeSight should not fail to register unless hardware is defective or a procedural/voltage issue exists. I want this documented in case this represents a broader pattern of EyeSight registration/calibration failures on Forester models using the same stereo camera platform. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 14, 2022 · Acceleration · IL · crash

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.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Driver assistance · NY

We have a 2017 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium with Eyesight with 58,582 miles. During the first week in June, 2022 the Eyesight System failed and displayed an error message that stated to “See Owner’s Manual “. The Owner’s Manual stated ”take the vehicle to Subaru dealer for servicing” which we did on June 9, 2022. The Subaru servicing dealer’s statement from the diagnostic invoice states “Checked for codes in all systems found code B2809 VDC Malfunction in Eyesight module. Checked code in VDC module found C1742 wheel cylinder pressure sensor ran test for code lead to needing VDC module replaced “. Subaru parts stated to the dealership that the part would not be available until July 30, 2022 when that date came I was notified that part would not be available until Aug. 8, 2022. I was notified again on Aug. 9, 2022 of another delay only this time indefinite as to when it may be available. Without the Eyesight System the following safety functions that I am aware of do not work 1) Adaptive cruise control, 2) Emergency front braking, 3) Lane departure and Lane keeping assistance, 4) Forward collision warning, and there may be other safety features that are connected to this system that I am not aware of.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Visibility · CA

Spontaneous windshield crack occurred while car was parked (i.e., no collision or pebble impact). Crack originates at lower portion of passenger side in black-colored perimeter of windshield glass with windshield deicer and spread upward and across middle of entire windshield. Crack obstructs driving visibility and poses risk to integrity of entire window including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning system calibration. No previous impacts to windshield. Suspect defect in windshield consistent with those found in 2015-2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy models related to materials used in deicer area of windshields in recent class action settlement against Subaru. Took to Subaru dealer who confirmed origin of crack in originates in deicer region of windshield, but denies any liability for weakened material at sight of deicer as determined for other models.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Visibility · 25,000 miles · WA

Without apparent cause the windshield cracked. This occurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not struck by anything and was never in a collision, but the windshield cracked approximately 14 inches in length beginning at the bottom edge about 1 foot from the lower right hand corner and angling up and leftward. The vehicle required an expensive ($425) replacement as the crack was too long for repair. This vehicle is equipped with lane departure and collision avoidance, which the repair shop cited as the reason for the very high price. Notable at the shop was that the car before mine and after mine were the same make, model and year.

Filed Oct 20, 2018 · Brakes · 11,000 miles · CA · crash

9/24/2017 pressing on brakes to slow down the car speeded up, I tried parking in front of a cement planter hoping the pre-collision brakes would stop me, it didn't it lunged after hitting the cement divider in the parking space, I turned the car off and put it in park, the wheels turned in the dirt hitting a tree, the car bounced back then went forward hitting the tree again, the car ran on it's own turned off, until it came to a stop.