What 577 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Forester

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags); however, the failure recurred with the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s Occupant Detection System (ODS) and seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered a credit of $800 toward the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533665

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags), the passenger’s side air bags experienced intermittent functionality failure. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530691

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags); however, the contact stated that intermittently, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred more frequently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor mat harness needed to be replaced again. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522952

I have a problem with the recall issue that the service dealership said they completed but now its showing alert and it seems to be wasn't fixed good. Please help because I dont understand why it would have been completed when its an problem now. If anything happens to me when Im driving an the airbag dosent come out, its you guys fault because its not fixed good. I been calling Subaru Hawaii and letting them know this but they dont want to fix the recall now because its was done but still broken? I dont understand. The car services I have been going to and I been paying them but they dont seem to do a good work to fix it or completed it. They had so much mistakes on my car and I am so upset. I wish I never had this car. Please help me! 

NHTSA ODI 11510085

2017 Subaru Forester. Air bag sensor light for the occupant occasionally flashes on and off. We brought it to the dealer and was told the sensor was defective and would not deploy if an accident occurred. The Subaru service tech informed us that the air bags would not deploy in case of an accident. The car only has 55,500 miles. It is garaged and has had no front end problems or accidents. This is a safety hazard that could cause a death if the sensor is not working properly and the vehicle was in an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11486109

My vehicle had the WUM98 Safety recall completed on March 09, 2020. In July 2022, the SRS system started giving error messages that the system needed to be checked. It seemed to reset when the vehicle was turned off and restarted. When it happened for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, I took it in to the Subaru Dealership where they found this: B1650 Perform Diag TSB#07-108-16R. They claimed that the seat must have gotten wet to create this error code, but it seems to me to be the same problem as was reported in the :NUMBER: WUM-98R NHTSA ID: 19V-701 DATE: 10/14/19 REVISED: 12/13/19 documents that I found on the NHSTA site. I think the same issue is in this newer harness that was in the older one. On August 16,2022, we picked up the vehicle from its other repairs (60,000 mile service and AC condenser replacement). The dealer had just reset the B1650 code. We drove less than 50 miles before the “SRS airbag system needs to be checked” error message came back on. It only seems to come on at certain times when the passenger is over 190lbs. In addition, every once in a while the passenger seatbelt alarm goes off with no one in the seat. The only way to get it to stop is to engage the seatbelt. The Subaru dealer wants to replace the seat cushion with the harness and the ODS mat for a total of $1600.00. I believe that this was one of the options to do in 2020, but they opted for only replacing the cable, not the full sensor and seat.

NHTSA ODI 11480238

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11479728

The passenger seat air bag sensor failed. The seat cushion/ airbag sensor assembly was replaced under a recall at 43,000 miles. It was replaced with an identical assembly which has now failed at 113,000 miles. Subaru says they will not cover the cost ($1,150) of this 2nd replacement because the car is now out of warranty. I argued that the 1st part was defective and was replaced with an identical defective part. They (the Subaru customer advocate office) said the car was out of warranty so they were not responsible. The subaru tech who checked it said the seat may have been damaged by a spill since there were stains on the seat, tho he did note that the cushion was dry. It has worked correctly since he examined it. I think it is obvious that Subaru had a new design for this sensor and introduced it on the new model 2017 forester. The problem was limited to the Forester. I feel that they made a mistake on a vital piece of safety equipment and should own that mistake for the life of the car. Since I intend to keep this car for another 200,000 miles, and the part lasts an average of 56,000 miles, it will need to be replaced another 3 or 4 times and I do not feel that I should pay for Subaru's mistake. If the other 320,000 foresters that were recalled have the same part failure that I have and subaru charges them $1,150 each then subaru will be taking $368 million from their customers to pay for an engineering mistake. And then again. And again.

NHTSA ODI 11476705

My SRS airbag light came on and said it needed to be inspected. Notably, this issue is similar to a prior recall of this vehicle that I had repaired. The Subaru dealership indicated that the bottom of the seat needed replaced and that the airbag may not function properly until this is fixed; however, they also noted that the part won't be in stick until October/November. This seems like a huge safety issue to not have the part and there is potential that the airbags won't work.

NHTSA ODI 11473748

This is for a 2017 Subaru Forester. The passenger airbag sensor in the seat keeps turning off the airbag when a passenger is in the seat. The problem is intermittent. The dealer couldn't replicate the problem and it wasn't repaired. I believe this car had a recall about this, but the problem keeps happening. This car has had the issue dozens of times and the problem needs to be investigated. There are many, many complaints about this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11472200

2017 Subaru Forester - Passenger airbag seat sensor intermittent failure. Does not detect passenger when seated and thus does not arm airbag while in motion. Safety of driver, passenger, and other drivers at risk due to product failure. Problem has been confirmed by local Subaru dealer and Subaru of America, but part is back ordered with no timetable for fulfillment. Multiple owners facing same issue, should be investigated for a full product recall.

NHTSA ODI 11471827

Issue with passenger air bag. Issue was caught and detected by dealership as ods sensor error. Further research revealed recall in vehicles of the same year, make, and model as vehicle in question for that part. Dealership and corporate offices deny relation of problems with recall, claim no such recall exists for the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11470592

The SRS airbag light is on, airbags disabled while driving vehicle with passenger in front. Sensor within passenger seat cushion is defective. Dealer says to fix passenger seat cushion needs to be replaced. Previous recall for harness already complete. Quoted $1400 to repair. 2017 Forester Premium, 78,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11469614

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the "Air bag Off" warning light was illuminated on the passenger’s side of the instrument panel; indicating that the passenger’s side air bag was deactivated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11455692

Srs airbag system needs to be checked error. Airbag not going on sometimes when passenger is in seat

NHTSA ODI 11445728

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle causing substantial front end damage to the vehicle. During the crash no airbags in the vehicle deployed. The driver sustained chest and rib injuries and was transported to the hospital. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 33,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438409

My vehicle was involved in a five car accident where is was completely destroyed and flipped upside and the two front airbags never deployed which caused head, back, and neck injuries to the two passengers that were in the two front seats. There was a recall on the the passenger front air bag which supposedly got fixed by Palm Springs subaru on July 13, 2020. This recall air bag never deployed during or after the major accident. I contacted the Subaru of America which they supposedly did an investigation on why the two front airbags did not deployed and they stated that there was not malfunction on either airbags which is hard to believe because my car was unrepairable because of the severe damages due to the accident. I would like this to be taken into consideration.

NHTSA ODI 11434793

Vehicle was struck by a dump truck traveling approximately 50 mph that ran a red light. Impact was on the front passenger side. Although, the collision was violent and there was substantial frontend damage, no airbags deployed. Driver was only occupant.

NHTSA ODI 11417894

WHILE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, FOLLOWING THE ODS RECALL REPAIR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT OCCASIONALLY SAYS ON AND OCCASIONALLY SAYS OFF. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS LIT. I AM ABSOLUTELY UNSURE WHEN THE AIRBAG WILL BE ARMED AND DEPLOY. TRIED IT WITH SEAT BELT ATTACHED AND UNATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI 11408661

2017 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WAS DESTROYED. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11398372

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP THE CEMENT BUMPER AND THE BUSHES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REVVING WHEN TURNED OFF AND PLACED IN PARK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CREWS SUBARU OF CHARLESTON 8261 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406; (843) 820-4200) WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,050.

NHTSA ODI 11398519

MY NAME IS [XXX] ADDRESS: [XXX] E-MAIL: [XXX] CELL: [XXX] I AM THE FIRST AND THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR, SUBARU FORESTER PREMIUM, 2017. VIN [XXX] PURCHASED FROM REEDMAN TOLL SUBARU, LANGHORNE, PA, ON 03/2017, AS A BRAND NEW. CURRENT MILEAGE: 63000 MY CAR IS TOTALED, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS SERVICED BY SUBARU REEDMAN THIS SPRING D/T MANUFACTURER RECALL. I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH ON MAJOR ROAD, HAVING THE RIGHT OF WAY. A DODGE TRUCK CROSSED IN FRONT OF ME, SPEEDING FROM A CROSS ROAD. MY CAR HIT RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THE TRACK. MY CAR'S FRONT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, FRONT END PUSHED WELL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS WAS A FRONT TO SIDE IMPACT. ALL LIQUIDS LEAKED AWAY ON THE SPOT. BOTH HEAD LITES AND FOG LITES WERE TORN AWAY FROM MY CAR AND THROWN AROUND THE ROAD. BOTH RIGHT DOORS ARE HAVING DENTS, TOO. INSURANCE COMPANY, AAA, DECLARED TOTAL LOSS. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NONE OF THEM. I SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH INJURY REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND INVESTING IN REHABILITATION MEASURES..... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11390587

AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT COMES ON WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A 200+ LBS PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI 11365022

I AM LOCATING IN VILSECK, GERMANY ON DOD US ARMY MILITARY OFFICIAL ORDER FROM MAY 2018 TO PRESENT. NOW! I AM SCHEDULE TO PCS FROM GERMANY BACK TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WITH THIS RECALL I WILL HAVE PROBLEM OF SHIPPING MY CAR BACK HOME AND I CAN'T GET IT FIX DUE TO SUBARU, GERMANY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO GET IT DONE DUE TO LACKS OF SERVICE CONTACT WITH SUBARU USA.

NHTSA ODI 11341585

SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH NO OTHER PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327130