2017 Subaru Forester: Lower control arm bushing worn causing wheel bounce
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2017 Forester report: lower control arm bushing worn causing wheel bounce. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 59,100 miles.
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints for the 2017 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772202 (filed 10/19/2026): “I am filing a formal complaint regarding repeated, costly, and premature failures on my 2017 subaru forester, as well as the outright refusal by subaru consumer advocacy to provide financial relief or goodwill reimbursement. between 2024 and 2026, reaching und…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766024 (filed 09/22/2026): “Within 30k miles, front passinger control arm bushings required replacement due to bushing failure resulting in uneven tire ware. by 35k miles, the front driver lower control arm also had the same issue effecting steering and uneven tire ware.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace lower control arms with new bushings installed (3 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Shocks/struts can be DIY with proper spring compressors; air suspension diagnosis needs a scan tool. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,130 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Lower control arm bushing worn causing wheel bounce (2017 Forester)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2017 Forester
Estimated repair cost: control arm replacement (one arm, bushings and ball joint included in the arm)
Average shop cost
$240
Range $100–$415 (labor)
1.0–3.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$360
Range $150–$625 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Page last updated .