2017 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light stays on

63owner reports
35,000median miles
$1,400median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

63 of the 164 reports of airbag on the 2017 Forester describe airbag light on.

Part of Airbag warning light or recall (164 reports) · also: passenger airbag sensor faults, Takata airbag recall

Tick what matches of 63 reports

the light stays on constantly

the light turns on and off

a code was pulled for the light

the dealer replaced a module

there is no recall for it

the light came on after a repair

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (27 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the airbags covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

19V-701Oct 3, 2019

Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Forester

PE19-009opened Aug 6, 2019

Airbags · model years 2016 to 2018

Occupant detection system (ods) failure. Closed jan 22, 2020, led to recall 19V-701.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full-sized, small stature, a child seat or other object. The complaints reported the ODS failed to operate properly, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated, and/or the ODS incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied by a full-sized passenger. In a frontal crash that is sufficient to warrant deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On August 14, 2019 ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Subaru requesting information on the subject vehicles and MY 2014-2015 Subaru Forester vehicles.On October 3, 2019, Subaru submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the passenger-side front airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) harness of 366,282 MY 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with seat heaters.The DIR stated that over time, due to a decrease in contact pressure between the terminals in the ODS sensor mat harness, a temporarily unstable electrical connection may be possible. If the connection is temporarily unsta

What owners paid

22 of the 63 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $2,000.

$800$1,400$2,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.

718

2019

320

121

322

623

624

1225

526

What owners wrote

“SRS AIRBAG LIGHT continuously switches on in the car with a passenger present. The seat has been replaced, light is still coming on and issue is not resolved. The dealer is refusing to resolve the issue with the sensor/ wiring harness and saying it is not applicable for recall repairs. This is a Safety issue that Subaru of America is refusing to address that directly impacts the safety of passengers and consumers.”
Filed Sep 9, 2025

“Airbag warning light and blind spot failure warning lights are on and staying on.”
Filed Jul 24, 2024

“Passenger air bag warning light on dash does not turn off. Other warning light says air bagis off.”
Filed Aug 8, 2023

“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”
Filed Jun 16, 2022 · 78,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 63 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.