VehicleVerdict

2018 Subaru Forester airbags problems

The 2018 Subaru Forester has 116 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

116

Airbags complaints

17%

Share of year

2

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

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A CAR T-BONED MY PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND WE SUFFERED INJURY AS A RESULT. THE OTHER CAR THAT HIT US HAD ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE SUBARU I DRIVE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN MOTION GOING 40MPH AND A CAR HIT ME AFTER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 31, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2018 Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA has 116 complaints about the 2018 Subaru Forester airbags — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 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.