At random times the front passenger airbag would turn off even though it was occupied by an adult. This happened while the vehicle was in motion on the highway.

- Manchester, CT, USA

Seat bottom occupant detection system failed to work. Notice that the air bag system needed to be serviced appeared on dash message. Notice occurred both when stationary and when moving. Dealer replaced seat bottom sensor under a B1760 code. Part(s) used:64139sg140vh. This is a leased vehicle (private).

- New Castle, DE, USA

SRS airbag light came on while driving with a passenger in the front passenger seat. At the same time, the passenger airbag turned off. This happened twice, 4 days apart. Took car to the dealer and they told me the sensor must have gotten wet. I don't believe the sensor was ever wet. Happen again twice in the next 2 weeks while driving. I had also previously had the passenger seatbelt like come on when there was no passenger in the seat while driving. Went back to the dealer and they replace the passenger seat due to a bad sensor.

- Arlington, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. While driving various speeds, the SRS warning indicator randomly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to R&G Subaru (1140 highway 59 S, detroit lake, mn) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure has been repaired and resolved. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 12,606.

- Nevis, MN, USA

Passenger airbag sensor malfunction of some sort causes airbag system to be switched to "off" even when a passenger is in the vehicle. I had taken it to the dealer the first time, and the code was "reset" in the memory and I was instructed to bring the vehicle back if it happened again. It did happen again, and this time they said "the code wasn't in the memory" and that "when it happens, bring the car right in while the light is still on." That however, is impossible as it was random and had been happening on a long drive. They kept the car overnight in this case, and tried to reproduce the problem. I myself drove around with the weights on the seat and seatbelt engaged for about 1 month in an attempt to reproduce the problem to no avail. This has not recurred since the 2nd instance described above, however I have experienced what seems to be an extremely sensitive sensor of which even the weight of a cell phone on the passenger seat could set off the occupancy detection system. The first occasion happened at about 30,000 miles, with the 2nd happening at about 35,000 miles. It has not recurred over the course of 10,000 miles since then. The news of the recent NHTSA investigation into this exact issue prompted me to submit my own complaint in an effort to be on record.

- Edgewater, NJ, USA

The SRS airbag system warning light turned on while the vehicle was in motion, without a passenger sitting on the front passenger seat. After parked the vehicle at a safe place, I turned off the engine and then re-started it, the warning light was still on. Also tested with a person sitting on the front passenger seat, and SRS airbag system warning light and passenger air bag is off. This SRS airbag warning light kept on since then, the passenger air bag is always off no matter whether there is a front passenger. This vehicle is 2-year old with 2,3000 miles.

- Fremont, CA, USA

The passenger air bag light comes on showing that it is turned off when someone is riding in the passenger seat. This has occurred several times. Sometimes it will go off if you check the connections under the seat to the unit. It has also occurred when no one is riding in the vehicle.

- Princeton, WV, USA

Front passenger seat occupancy sensor not turning on the air bag.

- Ozark, MO, USA

Previously the passenger occupancy sensor was overly sensitive. Sometimes even an ipad on the front passenger seat would be detected as a "passenger". but recently it's just gone to the opposite extreme. The passenger air bag light will still be "off" even if a real passenger sits there.

- Chester Springs, PA, USA

When a passenger is sitting in the front passenger seat, the airbag will turn off on it's own saying that the system need to be checked. The vehicle is less than 2 years old and has 40,000 miles. This happens when the vehicle is in motion intermittently.

- Manteca, CA, USA

While 2017 Forester in motion (both instances occurred at highway speed) SRS red warning light in drivers dashboard comes on. Also airbag indicator at middle top information section changes from passenger airbag on to passenger airbag off. This happens even though there is a passenger in the seat. This event has occurred on two occasions - Nov 2018, and Jun 2019. In both instances the issue resolved after a few days but before Subaru service could be scheduled to review the issue. Subaru service dept said the issue was caused by electrical interference from a cell phone on the seat. However, no electronic devices were on the seat at the time of incidents. The seat have never gotten wet either.

- West Springfield, MA, USA

The airbag light warning keeps going off randomly stating that the air bag is off when there are passengers in the car.

- Arvada, CO, USA

The passenger air bag systems shuts off when a passenger is in the seat on our 2017 Subaru Forester. We've tried several things to getting out of the vehicle and back in, shutting the car off and starting it back up to see if the air bag system would reset itself. It does not work. We have not gone to the dealership yet as this just started. Will be calling them soon.

- Lacona, IA, USA

2017 Forester SRS airbag sensor defective two years after purchase, the SRS airbag warning light appeared. This light flickers on and off, at random, whether or not a passenger is in the seat. (no passenger will be driving with me until this is repaired.) my Subaru dealership service manager told me that there was a recall (he misspoke, perhaps he meant 'should be') and said that he "sees this all the time". he immediately knew (prior to testing it) that they would be replacing the passenger seat bottom, for a new sensor pad. He said they are usually backordered. Backordered indicates to me that there is a high demand to correct this error in this critical safety system. At this point, I have Subaru corporate involved; I've emailed and spoken at length with kris drechsel, a supervisor in customer service, and charles hosier, a customer service advocate. While they both were superb in their interactions with me, I learned nothing about what Subaru is doing or intends to do about this reprehensible situation, other than pass along my complaint. I was emailed that they are "not aware of any trending issue with the passenger side seat sensor". Subaru is clearly aware there is a problem and is neglectful in not being fully transparent with owners that there is the potential that an airbag may not deploy in a collision due to this sensor defect. Subaru noted that they rely on customer feedback and that the appropriate protocol will be followed for such complaints. Considering the gravity of this issue, I assume, then, that I am the only customer who has provided this complaint and that they are now going to discover the 'trend' and provide notice of this SRS airbag defect to the public. There are 25 complaints on this site alone (of how many that "may appear"?), countless online forums, and apparently law suits pending. Is a death what's prerequisite here?

- Asheville, NC, USA

Passenger air bag switches to "off" despite passenger sitting in seat. Subaru dealership diagnosed faulty sensor. Air bag light switches to "off" at random times even when passenger is seated in seat. On the dashboard, next to the odometer, a red square with a lower case "I" appeared and below to the left the red airbag indicator lit. The system says to check SRS airbag and bring to dealership. This often occurs when car is stopped/parked and passenger gets out while car is still running. Dealership agreed to replacing sensor but the part has been unavailable for 6 months now. We keep being told "it's on order, can't say when it will arrive. " vehicle is unsafe to drive with a passenger as a result. See more complaints here:

- Olathe, KS, USA

My 2017 Forester began having the passenger airbag light switch off when there was a passenger in the seat and the vehicle was in motion. On the dashboard, next to the odometer, a red square with a lower case "I" appeared and below to the left the red airbag indicator lit. Also on the upper dash, the passenger airbag on light switched to off. In order to rectify this, I had to pull over, shut off the engine and restart it. This happened several various times during normal city street driving. Returning from a 1200 mile trip recently, it occurred near the end of my trip about every 40 miles. Very distressing! took to dealer and they said no codes were in the computer showing any problems. Said the seat might have had something spilled on it which never happened! they said that the red square with the white "I" in it meant the eyesight was malfunctioning which was ridiculous!! why would the airbag light make the eyesight malfunction" I have never had a problem with the eyesight and I use it all the time. When I looked online, I discovered that there were many people who had the exact same problem with exact same symptoms!! surprised that Subaru has not had a recall for this. Are they waiting until someone dies in an accident before they do anything" I recently had a person turn in front of my my 2015 Forester and all the airbags deployed reducing injuries. If my 2017 Forester airbags are not working in an accident, my passenger could be severely injured and Subaru would be responsible!! they need to fix this problem now!!!

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

The upper dashboard passenger air bag warning light above the steering wheel is going off and on weather there is a passenger in the seat or not. It may stay on after starting the engine and continue during driving. The last 45 minute trip I took it stayed on the entire time. Other times it has come on while a passenger was in the seat in the middle of a trip @ 45mph. The dealer on 2/28/19 says it's a "B1650 occupant detection system malfunction" and that the passenger seat bottom needs replaced but there is no replacement available at this time. Said they would call when it was available, but don't hold my breath. This is a safety issue as the air bag will not deploy in a crash if the light is on. I find many complaints about this issue online but no recalls. Why not. How many people will need to be killed before this safety issue is quickly resolved? this vehicle has 25,437 mile on it.

- Westerville, OH, USA

Passenger air bag switches to "off" despite passenger sitting in seat. Subaru dealership diagnosed faulty sensor, suspected cause being seat covers. Removed seat cover, sensor is still faulty. Air bag light switches to "off" at random times even when passenger is seated in seat. Dealership agreed to replacing sensor but the part has been unavailable since Sept. 2018 (6 months now). We keep being told "it's on order, can't say when it will arrive." Vehicle is unsafe to drive as a result.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The front passenger airbag sensor system is defective. I was informed on 9/1/18 that parts would need to be replaced and it was recommended that no one use that seat. I have been waiting over 6 months now for the replacement parts. The Subaru dealership says they have no way to determine when the parts will be in. I have had several other issues with this car as well. They have made multiple attempts to resolve a rattle sound in the dashboard, had the air conditioning knob replaced, and a loud squeak in the driver's seat requiring a part to be replaced. This is my first Subaru and I have not been impressed!

- Edina, MN, USA

The front passenger air bag sensor is defective in the seat cushion. Light on the dash shows passenger air bag is turned off even when someone is sitting in the seat.the problem occurs intermittently while driving. There is no predicting when the light will turn on or off.the problem began in July of 2018 when the forrester was one year old. The seat has not been wet.the problem began in July 2018. The new seat cushion was ordered in August 2018.the new seat cushion did not arrive until February 2019. 5 1/2 months later. Does it take this long for Subaru to replace safety equipment under warranty ? kelly Subaru, in chattanooga, tn. Scheduled the repair to be done 2/22/2019. We live approximately 75 miles from kelly Subaru. The appointment was scheduled for 10:00am eastern time. At around 9:45 am ben carter ( service representative) called stating the service department was "swamped". the appointment was cancelled and now is scheduled for March 4th.my wife had driven from our home in mcminnville tn., and was within 5 minutes of the dealership when the appointment was canceled. This is apparently a fairly common problem with Foresters per carcomplaints.com.

- Mcminnville, TN, USA