2017 Subaru Forester: Shuddering and jerking
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2017 Forester report: shuddering and jerking. CarComplaints.com lists 20 owner complaints, average mileage 4,650 miles.
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints for the 2017 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770820 (filed 10/13/2026): “Valve control assembly failure. a known tsb. disables safety features of the car. should be a recall.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770954 (filed 10/13/2026): “Transmission light over heating comes on…”
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 torque converter, lockup solenoid & change cvt (1 reports) transmission software adjustment solved problem (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .