2017 Subaru Forester engine problems

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · CA

the TGV valve metal flap screw came undone and came loose with the intake manifold. piece of metal about 1 in x 2 inch (flap) fell down to cylinder 2 intake and rubbed against the intake valve nipping pieces off and those pieces of metal along with loose screw fell chipping corner of cylinder 2 top edge. at my shop they had to replace cylinder 2 and TGV valve and rebuild the damaged cylinder head. REASON WHY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP There was small vibrations at a idle at about 800 rpm (stationary) and already replaced the spark plug and fuel injector and it still shook little bit. since i couldn't figure out what was the issue decided to take it to a mechanic. about a week prior to dropping the car off at the mechanics I heard a metal clinking in the engine for a minute and went away. after that the Miles per gallon went from 27 down to 25 miles per gallon. before taking the car to the shop there was a warning light on cylinder 2 on my OBDII reader ( not a full check engine light). a screw shouldn't be loosening in a internal combustion engine part where if not taken care of it can detonate an engine and cost user thousands of dollars and it was not their fault. I researched on this same issue and I found few online where they were showing videos of them moving the loose part with a screw driver. Have not found any one where the part came off completely and went down into the intake valve.

Filed Mar 7, 2025 · Engine · 156,774 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being started, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,774.

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and several safety features failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated intermittently for over a month prior to a diagnostic test. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where DTC code: P0420 was retrieved, and the vehicle was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The contact researched Warranty Extension: 09-84-22; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any warranty programs. In addition, the contact stated that the case manager provided false information and stated that the Warranty Extension document did not exist. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2024 · Engine · CA

My subaru forester started smelling and rattling loud. My mechanic told me it could be the muffler. I took it to the muffler shop and it was the catalytic converter. I had to pay $800 to fix it but my friend who had the same exact car had it replaced at Subaru for free. My car is under 8 years old and 100,000 miles. I read that it should be covered by Subaru. I called them and they never replied and wanted to charge $299 just for a diagnostic check. There should have been a recall notice on the Subaru Forester 2017. It's catalytic converter is faulty. I had to smell the fumes and so did my grandson.

Filed May 3, 2024 · Engine · PA

need new engine keeps burning oil

Filed Dec 4, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MT

Forester in known for chronic exhaust leak into cabin through AC vents. Reported this to dealership and they "could not find the problem." Cabin of vehicle smells heavily of exhaust. Driver gets headache from smell/gas while driving. Internet forums show this is a common unaddressed issue by dealerships. Car is a 2017 and should not be leaking exhaust into the cabin.

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MT

After driving the vehicle I will arrive at my destination. I will stop, continue pressing the vehicle break while moving the shifter from drive to park. Then, I turn the key to the off position in an attempt to remove my key from the Ignition. About 40-50% of the time, the key can not be removed. In order remove the key I will have to do one of the following: Option 1. Let my foot of of the break, pause, then press my foot hard on the break peddle, move to shifter from park to drive, while continuing to press my foot down hard on the break peddle, move the shifter back from drive to the park position. Often I will have to repeat this process several times to remove the key form the ignition or attempt Option 2.. Option 2. When Option 1 above does not work, with the vehicle turned off and I park, I will release my foot from the break, pause, press down on the break, start the ignition, place my vehicle in drive or reverse (depending how I am parked) and drive the vehicle 2-3 feet, stop and repeat step 1 above. Again, I many have to try this procedure several times. Option 3. After 5-10 minutes and several attempts, I will give up, turn the vehicle off, place it in park, and leave the car unlocked with keys in the ignition. I'm not sure why this has not been addressed prior as I have found several articles from 2008 to 2020 on the same issue, specifically on Subaru's.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CO · crash

On July 31,2023, approximately 8PM, I was driving my 2017 Subaru slowly as I made the 90degree turn into my driveway. Midway up the driveway, the car suddenly —on its own—spontaneously accelerated , burst through the half open garage door, across the garage, and crashed through the garage wall into my family room—bulldozing through two sheets of plywood and large pieces of firewood in the garage, and then destroying heavy antique furniture in the family room before coming to rest. The jagged remains of the wall prevented opening either the passenger or the driver’s side door. My adult son, [XXX] , was my passenger in the front seat. He climbed to the back, but the hatch has no handle on the inside, so we were trapped in the car. I called 911. Police and Fire departments arrived. Miraculously, we were not hurt, but had anyone been in the family room at the time, they would have been seriously injured or killed. I made an insurance claim with Allstate Insurance Company the next morning. They determined that the car is "repairable" but will not pay for it to be examined and repaired at a Subaru dealership or Subaru certified body shop . They tell me I have to use at shop in their "preferred network" and pay the extra cost that a Subaru facility would charge. A non-Subaru affiliated mechanic theorized that it was a computer problem that caused the malfunction. Doing a "google" search, I find that hundreds of drivers have had this sudden, unexpected acceleration problem,(Subaru Forester years 20120-2018) but that Subaru dealerships are unable to discover the cause. There have also been two "class action" lawsuitsI I called Groove Subaru dealership,(5300 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO, 80113, and the service department man that I spoke with seemed not at all concerned about the spontaneous acceleration issue, and casually recommended a body shop. The UNKNOWN cause needs to be found before someone is killed !!! PLEASE HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN

Filed May 24, 2023 · Engine · CA

Cam carrier leak-unreliable car-detected and confirmed by Subaru dealership-no warning lights-appears to be an issue for many Subaru vehicles

Filed May 23, 2023 · Engine · NJ

While driving on the highway at 65 MPH another vehicle cut me off causing me to apply my brakes. Car came down to about 20 MPH. Then I attempted to accelerate and the car would not accelerate. I pulled off on the shoulder to check. Everything seemed okay. There was no error codes on the dashboard. I pulled back on the highway and the car accelerated fine. I went in to talk to Subaru service in Jersey City. He said maybe the computer needed to reset itself. Doesnt sound right to me. Something wrong if a defect exist where the computer needs time to reset itself in an emergency braking esp if you have to accelerate on the highwway