2017 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 586 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 40 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
164 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 22, 2025
Lately, Airbag warning light comes on intermittently often. Sierra subaru would not fix without charging me for inspection for 240 and then cost of rapair. Also cruise control is malfunctioning where it gets disengaged near the vehicle in front where I have to apply brake hard to avoid serious accident. Also the EyeSight NOT working warning has started showing lately. My forester 2017 at 44K miles showing airbag light at times along with cruise control disengaing near front car and eyeSight not available mentioned above. Detail on airbag fix at Sierra Subaru in Monrovia, California. On August 12, 2025, I want to get this intermittent error fixed under warranty. on August 12, 2025 Alexander in service told me that it will be 240 approximately of charge to inspect. Kindly let me know if the airbag warning light at such low milage not going to be covered for warranty. Please Note that I bought the Forester at Sierra Subaru Monrovia Ca and had every single service done there. Lately I have been charged in thousands of dollars at such low mileage to own the 2017 Subaru Forester
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Aug 20, 2025
The passenger airbag sensor often, but not always, malfunctions in my 2017 Subaru Forrester. Often it says PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF when there is a passanger. Occording to KBB Kelly Blue Book there IS a current RECALL in place for 2017 Subaru Forresters for EXACTLY this issue, including for my car - but when i typed in my liscnese plate in the NHTSA website, no unrepaired recalls showed up for my car.
Air bags, Aug 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the occupant detection system (ODS) had failed and needed to be replaced. The part was ordered 9 months ago; however, the part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and two cases were opened. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 6, 2025
The right passenger airbag sensor is malfunctioning. When a passenger rides in the front seat, the air bag turns off and the air bag warning goes on. I believe this could be related to the earlier Subaru recall for the seatbelt harness. I have been quoted 1,900 by Subaru for the repair. I've read on Subaru forums that this can be a problem for model years affected by the earlier recall. I have a video showing my husband is the passenger seat, the air bag warning light is on and the air bag is off. The problem happens intermittently.
Air bags, Aug 4, 2025
Passenger airbag light comes on saying off while passenger is in the car
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2025
I’m facing a really big issue here. I’ve been experiencing all the textbook issues in my vehicle for both of the recalls that did exist for my vehicle. I purchased my vehicle in [XXX], and I was just in to Walser Subaru in St. Paul MN where they said my recalls were completed in April 22, 2022. That is absolutely not true. I was at the dealership all day that day. So I called Miller hill Subaru in Duluth MN where it said it was done, and all they provided me with was the 2 dates I had brought it in for a general inspection and for an a/c issue. All I had done there was a transmission flush and both of those times were well after April 22nd. I purchased my vehicle from Anderson Auto in Rice Lake Township. So now I have my car with recalls that were falsified that they were done, but I am expected to pay for them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, May 20, 2025
The airbag warning light illuminates sometimes. I investigated the area under the passenger seat, related to the previous recall for the passenger seat occupancy sensor, and found that there were cut cable ties and no support for the wiring under the seat. I attempted to reseat the connectors and the warning light turned off for a while but turned back on later. It appears that either the previous recall didn't fix the issue or that the repair work was not performed correctly.
Air bags, Mar 31, 2025
I have been in contact with Michael Hohl Subaru for the last 1 1/2 years or more regarding airbag turning off while seats are occupied. I have continuously been told that the part to fix it is on eternal back order. Contacted to Shalana at Subaru of America and was told there is nothing they can do. They cannot give us a rental car or loaner car. Steve Dix at Michael Hohl said they cannot help us either.
Air bags, Mar 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags); but the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Air bags, Feb 19, 2025
A few years ago, our Subaru Forester had an open recall (WUM98-1) due to an issue with the passenger-side front airbag ODS, which caused the system to fail to detect a passenger, making it unsafe to drive. We had the recall repair completed at the time. However, about a month ago, the same airbag warning light came on again. After taking the vehicle in for service, we were informed that a different part (passenger front seat bottom assembly) now needs to be replaced due to code B1650. The dealership stated that this part is on a three-month backorder, leaving us with an unresolved safety issue. Since this appears to be the same underlying problem affecting the passenger airbag system, I am reporting it to the NHTSA to determine if other Foresters are experiencing similar failures. Additionally, this is an expensive repair, and I believe it warrants further investigation to determine if Subaru should take responsibility for addressing it.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2025
Over a year ago, the vehicle started reporting that the passenger side seat sensor was not working correctly, and would fail to register that the seat was actually occupied. The vehicle was taken to a Subaru dealer who told us that a replacement sensor was unavailable, and that the part would have to be made and shipped from Japan, and that it could take as a long as a year to be received. The sensor has intermittently worked or not since that time. When we had the vehicle in for service recently we were told that the part still was not available, and that it could still take a year for a replacement part to be available. This is a serious safety issue.
Air bags, Jan 12, 2025
The WUM-98 recall fix did not address the problem with the front passenger occupancy detection system. We, and many other Subaru Forester owners are continuing to experience problems post recall repair with the SRS Airbag light on, indicating error code B1760 "Occupant Detection Sensor Mat" failure. Subaru is not covering the cost of addressing this problem, and the entire seat frame and bottom cushion (that includes the sensor mat) are required to be replaced at the consumer's expense, with bills for repair in excess of 1.700. And, due to the high demand for this repair, parts are not available to perform the repair for as much as 6 months! This is jeopardizing the safety of occupants in the front passenger seat for extended periods of time while waiting for parts, whereby the airbag is not active due to the sensor mat problem. The original recall should have encompassed not only the harness cable component, but also the sensor mat. This is a very obvious Subaru Problem and they should take responsibility and not pass this off to their customers
Air bags, Seats, Jan 9, 2025
The passenger seat sensor intermittently turns on and off as indicated by the warning light on the dashboard and the "passenger airbag on off" light indicating it is off when an adult passenger is sitting in the seat. This put the passenger at risk of serious injury if a collision would have occurred or could occur. I took my car to the dealership on January 1, 2025 where they inspected the vehicle and said that the seat sensor needed to be replace costing 1,700. The above warning first occurred on December 19, 2024 and then on December 26, 2024, which both occurred on a 250-mile trip. The passenger airbag wiring harness was replaced under recall in August 2020 but failed to correct the problem. Internet searches have indicated that this is a continuing safety issue, but currently there is no recall on the seat sensor.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2024
The WUM-98 recall fix did not address the problem with the front passenger occupancy detection system. We, and many other Subaru Forester owners are continuing to experience problems post recall repair with the SRS Airbag light on, indicating error code B1760 "Occupant Detection Sensor Mat" failure. Subaru is not covering the cost of addressing this problem, and the entire seat frame and bottom cushion (that includes the sensor mat) are required to be replaced at the consumer's expense, with bills for repair in excess of 2,000. And, due to the high demand for this repair, parts are not available to perform the repair for as much as 6 months! This is jeopardizing the safety of occupants in the front passenger seat for extended periods of time while waiting for parts, whereby the airbag is not active due to the sensor mat problem. The original recall should have encompassed not only the harness cable component, but also the sensor mat.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 14, 2024
The Occupant Detection System (ODS) has failed in this 2017 Subaru Forester. The dealership tried replacing the wiring harness under a previous recall but it did not fix the problem. The ODS does not correctly identify when a passenger is seated in the passenger seat and therefore will not properly activate the passenger airbag. I ordered a replacement seat assemby in October 2023 but to date the dealership has been unable to obtain the part, and has been unable to fix the ODS malfunction in any other way.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 5, 2024
Passenger air bag light on dash coming on, started off dinging even with no one sitting in the passenger seat. Now the Air bag light stays on constantly. I was told by the Subaru dealership near me that they found a B1650 in the system for occupant detection malfunction. Tested the seat with a human and the scan tool and they found the sensor is not picking anything up. The mechanic told me the seat appeared to be wet, which it was not and has never had water damage. The vehicle is garage kept and has low mileage so minimal exposure. The dealership told me I would have to pay 160 for diagnostic and 1200 before tax to have the seat base replaced. I know there was a recall for the passenger air bag in the past which I did take into the same dealership who says the replaced the defective part. I feel the Subaru company should stand behind their product and correct this issue. I was told they would not guarantee the airbag would work, which is a HUGE safety issue.
Air bags, Lane departure, Jul 24, 2024
Airbag warning light and blind spot failure warning lights are on and staying on.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2024
Passenger side airbag alert for not working. Came on was repaired by dealer came on again. Dealer says part needed not currently available. Part needed is the passenger seat.
Air bags, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the SRS warning light illuminated when a passenger entered the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired from a previous recall with the OCS wiring harness. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the OCS Mat sensor/seat bottom which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 107,784.
Air bags, May 26, 2024
Front Passenger airbag sensor fault causing airbag to be turned off despite unit having been repaired under recall 19V-701. Occurs approximately 50% of the time after starting car and appropriate adult weight passenger sits in front seat. Has occurred on at least 3 occasions in last week.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2024, crash
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, the contact observed there was a vehicle coming towards the intersection at high speeds. The contact stated that the stop light was green, however, the contact stopped the vehicle, and the vehicle coming towards the contact, depressed the brake pedal causing the vehicle to swerve and crash into the contact's vehicle on the front passenger's side at approximately 50 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around about 90 degrees. The air bags did not deploy, and no warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained severe whiplash causing a concussion, crushed disc, ruptured at least 1 vertebrae, and spinal column nerve damage. The contact had been receiving medical treatment since the accident. The vehicle was towed to the tow company's storage lot. A police report was filed. The insurance company determined that the vehicle was a total loss. The other driver sustained severe burns when the air bags deployed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was in dealer mode, which did not allow warning lights to illuminate the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2024
For the last 2 yrs. our airbag light comes on and off saying we don't have air bags, some days it works and others it doesn't. I took the car into a Subaru dealership, and they said I had to replace the passenger seat at a cost of 1,200.00. I just saw that there is a recall about this and would like to get them to fix this issue at no cost. Subaru is supposed to be the safest car on the road, we'll I'm not feeling safe now.
Air bags, Feb 8, 2024
My passenger airbag light goes on and off while someone is sitting in the passenger seat. I've experienced this with people of different weight in that seat. I looked it up and found a TSB related to this issue (NHTSA ID: 19V-701, Number: [XXX] ) but my specific car is not covered even though it is having the same problem and is the same year, make/model. I took the car to the Subaru dealer on Monday [XXX] and they confirmed there is a faulty passenger occupant sensor but they will not cover the repair. This issue puts my wife or anyone else sitting in the passenger side at huge risk for loss of life. The light that goes on and off is just the sensor light, my error light in the dashboard does not go on even though the dealer has confirmed this issue. I am requesting that you recall all cars with my year/make/model since this issue is life threatening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 24, 2024, crash
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after driving into a parking space in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle jolted and veered to the right. The passenger's side of the vehicle hit the driver's side of another occupied vehicle. The other vehicle was scratched and there was no injury sustained. The contact stated she then reversed out of the parking space, and the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The vehicle then accelerated unintendedly while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal continuously but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then shifted into drive (D), and the vehicle accelerated increasingly. The contact swerved and hit another unoccupied vehicle; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate unintendedly. The contact stated that she then attempted to drive into a tree to stop the vehicle, but a high curb caused the contact to miss the tree, and the vehicle crashed into an unoccupied vehicle that was parked behind the tree. The vehicle then stopped. The unoccupied vehicle then hit another vehicle, which caused a train of reaction that involved 6 unoccupied vehicles. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that an unknown rear tire blew out, and the vehicle was severely damaged. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to another lot, where it was totaled. There was no police report filed. The contact sustained pain in the right SI joint and on the right leg. The contact stated that the incident might have intensified her pre-existing neck injury. The contact also sustained mental and emotional trauma. The contact received medical assistance and was undergoing physical therapy. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2024
In November 2023 I noticed a warning light indicating an issue with the passenger side airbag. Additionally I noticed that even when a passenger was sitting in that seat, the status light still displayed 'airbag off'. I took the car to a Subaru dealer who told me the sensor was bad and the whole seat assembly would need to be replaced. After waiting 2 1/2 months I was told by the dealer that they could not locate a part anywhere in the U.S., and they had no timetable for completing the repair. I was encouraged to contact Subaru Customer Service for help. I've done so, but have received no satisfaction. I've since learned that this exact same defect was part of an earlier recall of my vehicle (I bought the car used; see attached). As of now, I have a car with a defective airbag with no prospect of resolution from the dealer or manufacturer.