VehicleVerdict

2017 Subaru Forester airbags problems

The 2017 Subaru Forester has 192 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 24% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

192

Airbags complaints

24%

Share of year

14

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

19V701000AirbagsOctober 3, 2019 · 366,282 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT WAS WHERE THE SUBARU WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOOR AND ALL PANELING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 40MPH AND THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 4, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2017 Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA has 192 complaints about the 2017 Subaru Forester airbags — 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Subaru Forester airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 19V701000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.