2017 Subaru Forester air bags problems
162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2017 Subaru Forester — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Airbag sensor does not work. It is not activated when someone sits in the passenger seat. This was recalled in other Subaru Foresters but for some reason our specific vin number is not eligible for repair.”
filed Aug 1, 2026
“My 2017 Subaru Forester is experiencing the exact component failure and severe safety hazard outlined in NHTSA Recall 19V-701 (Subaru Campaign WUM-98R). The front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) is failing continuously, which illuminates the "Passenger Airbag Off" indicator and…”
filed Jul 18, 2026
“The passenger airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) has failed on my 2017 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX]) at 78,255 miles. This failure completely deactivates the front passenger airbag, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard for any front-seat passenger. This vehicle previously had Federal Safety Recall WUM-98…”
filed Jul 7, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System…Campaign 19V701000 · Oct 3, 2019
Air Bags problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 Forester | 6 | 21% |
| 2023 Forester | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 Forester | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 Forester | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 Forester | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 Forester | 94 | 19% |
| 2016 Forester | 96 | 24% |
| 2015 Forester | 101 | 16% |
| 2014 Forester | 57 | 14% |
| 2013 Forester | 13 | 17% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.