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 Oct 2, 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
Airbag light on on other Forester years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the warning light itself: an airbag or SRS light that stays on, or comes and goes, with no crash involved. The light is the car saying part of the airbag system may not work when it's needed.
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.
An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
The recall on the 2017 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Forester
Occupant detection system (ods) failure. Closed jan 22, 2020, led to recall 19V-701.
What owners paid
22 of the 63 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.
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
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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 114 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 46 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 39 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 25 reports