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2017 Forest River ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2017 Forest River Forester, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-336 the manufacturer reports only 69% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 69%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage2kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2017 Forest River Forester has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system20
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Engine10
Equipment10
Lane departure10
Structure10
Visibility10
Visibility/wiper10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2017 Forest River Forester recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

73%repaired · 2022 Q3

Exterior lighting: back up lights

Recall 16V-465 · Jun 27, 2016 · 1,999 vehicles · 1,452 repaired

Risk. If the rear brake lights fail to illuminate, following motorists may not realize that the vehicle in front of them is stopping.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

69%repaired · 2018 Q3

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 16V-336 · May 23, 2016 · 13 vehicles · 9 repaired

Risk. Failure to meet the flammability standard of FMVSS 302 could enhance the spread of a flame in the event of a fire, increasing the risk serious injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Forest River.

Best & worst years

2017 vs. every other Forester year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

2017 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS DEFECTS EXPERIENCED WITH THE MOTORHOME. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF DEFECTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HVAC SYSTEM, LEVELING JACK, SLIDE OUT, SPEAKERS, ELECTRICAL WIRING, ENGINE LOSES POWER,…
Complaint 11112700 · Aug 1, 2018
THERE IS A BLIND SPOT THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER. THE MIRROR IS TO SMALL AND DOES NOT REACH OUT ENOUGH. THE CAMERA SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE AND INADEQUATE. TO LONG OF TIME DELAY WHEN DIRECTIONAL IS USED. THE ELECTRICAL SHORE CONNECTION IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD.
Complaint 11022181 · Sep 7, 2017 · 1,500 miles

Own a 2017 Forester?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.