When operating the vehicle at low and high speeds, the EyeSight system intermittently turns off with a "check owner's manual" message and the system remains off until at least the next vehicle restart. Additionally, after the EyeSight system disengages, when making turns at low speeds (turning corners), the steering shudders (quick violent turns to the left and right), the EyeSight warning light disappears and then re-appears after the vehicle turn is completed. At the same time the vehicle steering shudders, some portion of the internal electrical system appears to be reset (any radio / music system turns off temporarily, and the user-selected display in the main instrument panel resets to its default setting. This puts the vehicle occupant(s) at risk as it introduces an unsafe driving condition due to the vehicle shudder, which may result in a driver panic-reacting, or the vehicle failing to remain in the intended lane.
2017 Subaru Forester steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 25 of 25, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Backed car out of the garage and was unable to turn the wheel properly. There was no power steering and a light on the dash indicated same. Called my son, who asked me to pull front, back, and then park and turn off engine and restart. This caused the power steering to work properly. Appt w subaru found failure of gearbox. They state, warranty only covers if box is cracked due to road salt. No outside damage seen. Cost $1637.26 to me . Only 34,744 miles on the car/garage kept
I am writing to inform you of the following problems with the steering system of my 2017 Subaru Forester: 1) When turning or changing car lanes, the steering wheel does not engage the wheels until the steering wheel is turned to about a 90 degree angle in the direction of the turn, left or right, 2) After making a turn, it takes more rotations of the steering wheel to come out of the turn than it took to make the turn. At other times it takes more rotations of the steering wheel to make the turn than it does to come out of the turn, 3) Constant adjustments to steering have to be made in order to stay in a lane regardless of whether the lane is straight or curved. It's like trying to maneuver a boat on water or like driving on a frictionless surface. It feels like the car switches to a different control system, either void of any driver control, or delayed response to driver input, and 4) The steering wheel has to be turned to almost a 90 degree angle before it engages the wheels while the car is running and stationary. With the exception of item 4, the steering problems occur when there are other cars in the vicinity of our car. On secluded roads our car drives fine, so far. The steering issues occur during city and highway driving. The steering problems occur even when the following car assistive technologies are all set to off: automatic braking, hill assist, lane change assist, X-mode, Eyesight, and cruise control. On May 4, 2021, we took the car to the Subaru Superstore of Chandler in Arizona. We showed the dealership a video of item 4 and they observed it. They described it as "egregious". The dealership stated that they could not find a reason for item 4 and they could not duplicate the other problems. They stated that they documented the problem. Having an unresponsive/delayed response steering system could prove disastrous when seconds count to avert a disaster. This has been an ongoing problem since October 2018, with no resolution from Subaru.
With engine running and shift lever in Park (CVT transmission) driver is unable to turn the engine off or remove the ignition key from the steering wheel. This occurs sporadically/unpredictably such that driver has no forewarning and cannot take proactive steps to avoid the problem, resulting in instances where driver is forced to leave the car running in situations that present safety concerns. (Examples: in a garage or enclosed area; when temporarily exiting vehicle necessitating leaving the doors unlocked; etc.). The problem is widespread in Subaru vehicles and consistent with problems exhibited/described in Subaru Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #16-112-18R for which no recall has to date been issued for corrective action by Subaru. Driver was told by Subaru of America that a diagnostics test is needed by a Subaru dealer to verify existence of the problem (which as stated occurs unpredictably) at driver's expense (locally approximately $140), with repair coverage of defective/poorly-designed shift or electrical components not being covered by Subaru beyond the standard warranty period for the affected vehicle. estimated cost of repair for defects as listed in the TSB (per on-line sources)...$400-$650 depending on dealer and geographical location.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru forester. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and turning right onto the highway ramp, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact pulled off the highway onto the shoulder, shut-off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering functionality returned. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rhett allen/mark miller subaru southtowne (10920 state st, sandy, utah 84070, (801)553-5200 where the vehicle was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacture was notified of the failure however, provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
After attempting to turn off the car and remove the key from the ignition, the key will not remove. After some manhandling of the shifter and turning the car on and off, eventually, I am able to get the key out of the ignition. This is occurring 80% of the time now. The vehicle has about 37,000 miles and is less than 4 years old.
While stationary, the key will get stuck. It will not allow you to turn the car off.in case of an emergency, I would have a problem. It has happen twice , I m sure it will happen again.
I was driving my forrester 2019, notice that it would slowly move once I stopped at a stop sign. But then it would jerk into a faster pace. Yesterday as I was driving, I stop at a bank atm. When I went back to the vehicle I put my key in the ignition and nothing happened. Not a sound. So tried it several more times with the same results. I had to call for roadside service. They came and gave me a jump. The vehicle started with no problem. I did as the service person told me to let the vehicle run for at least 30 minutes so the cells can build up in the battery, so I did as I was told. As I would turn the corners on the streets-the steering became very difficult, (in both directions). Especially after turning at a stop sign, so as I were driving I notice the dash board would keep blinking. I took a photo of the gages on the dashboard. The eyesight light stayed, but the others kept blinking off and on. I drove the vehicle home and tried to parallel park in front of my house but the wheels would not allow me to do so. So I parked the car across the street where their were a lot more space and I parked there. I set there for another 30 minute before turning off the engine. Once I turned the engine off and tried to start the engine again it fell to turn over. No sound or anything just like earlier. In 2018 they replace my battery, because I was having to call for roadside service up to 3-4 times a week because the battery would die out on me. All this took place in a period of 3-4 months. Now this battery is approximately 10-12 months old. When I took it in for the new battery, I was told the battery was to small for the car. So now I am stuck at home without a vehicle until the subaru shop opens on monday and hopefully they can fix the problem. I've never had a 2 year old vehicle that's given me this many problems.
I am writing in regard to fbi alert number 1-031716-psa. My husband and I believe that our 2017 subaru forester is being remotely exploited. Sep. 29, 2018 we purchased our forester from tucson subaru (4901 n. Oracle road tucson, az 85704). Oct. 3, 2018 we took car to tucson subaru because car was braking when the brakes were not applied, and there was a diagnostic code in the power-train system. Dealer kept car and returned it to us oct. 4, 2018 stating that they could not duplicate the problem. The brake problem increased after receivng our car back. The following anomalous vehicle behavior began to occur, intermittently and now daily. 1)car accelerates on its own and when brake is lightly pressed. 2) when turning, car stops momentarily and at other times accelerates into the turn from the rear wheels causing the car to almost fishtail. 3)car self accelerates from the rear like it's being pushed. 4)car brakes when no brakes are applied, and when gas pedal is lightly pressed. 5)speed does not register correctly on speedometer when car self accelerates and self brakes. 6)wheels lose traction at random times making it like driving a boat on water. It feels like all manual controls disengage. 7)during anomalies, something in car causes difficulty in concentration to near passing out. Exiting car decreases symptoms. 8)something at front floor in car causes feet to heat up, vibrate, go numb, swell, and form small blood clots beneath the skin surface making it difficult to hold on the brake or gas. 9)the anomalies occur when a car tails us or stays a specific distance behind our car. All anomalies have occurred when there are other cars in the vicinity of our car, during city and highway driving (cruise control is off). Nov. 17, 2018 and apr. 23, 2019, we took the car to tucson subaru. Dealership stated that they could not duplicate these anomalies.
The power failed in traffic on city streets without warning while driving and almost caused an accident. It first happened when my wife was driving in traffic and it happened to me also in traffic who was about to make a turn.the car is very dangerous to drive. Took it to a dealership and they are trying to find the problem.
Steering wheel completely locked, unable to turn on vehicle, wheel straight, took me many tries and lots of turning and banging before I was able to turn the key to start vehicle. Also, on going problem with the bluetooth with late pick up connection. Connection will start after one is half way into conversation making the purpose of having a bluetooth useless.
I was on the new york state thruway, route 90, in new york state heading east on august 8, 2017, going approximately 65-70 MPH. I was going straight in the right hand lane. I reached over with right hand to adjust volume knob on radio and noticed vehicle drifting slightly to right. I pulled steering wheel to left to adjust car and vehicle veered sharply into adjoining lane (on left side of travelling lane) and then I could not it steer back into the travelling lane. It seemed that the vehicle did not respond to the steering: it felt as though I had lost control of the car. My husband grabbed the steering wheel, steadied it, and I regained control of the car. There have been no further incidents. Luckily, there was no car in the adjoining lane when the my car veered into it. This was reported to national subaru on september 11, 2017.
Steering sticks while in a turn and resists the drivers input to straighten the wheel, causing either failure to straighten on demand or over-steering to opposite side while attempting to straighten. This is an intermittent issue and varies in both frequency and severity, and typically occurs during each use of the vehicle. The malfunction seems to occur more frequently during sustained left turns, and is most problematic on curvy roads where failure to straighten wheels or over-steering to opposite side could be catastrophic. The malfunction occurs while in a turning motion on city streets and on curvy highways, usually when wheel is turned more than ~20 degrees and sustained briefly. The issue was reported to the subaru dealer. They drove and inspected the car and were unable to fix or diagnose the problem. The car is new and was received on 06/09/2017.
The steering gets locked and the key will not turn. The wheels are not turned in and are straight. Dealer claims"this is normal" can not start the car without fighting with the steering and the key. Very scary and dangerous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru forester. While attempting to turn the vehicle into an intersection, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The vehicle was towed and received front end damage. The contact received neck and back injuries. The contact did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2017 Subaru Forester?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history