2017 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Takata airbag inflator recall
- 67owner reports
- 26,618median miles
- $1,600median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
67 of the 164 reports of airbag on the 2017 Forester describe Takata airbag recall.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (164 reports) · also: passenger airbag sensor faults, airbag light on
Tick what matches of 67 reports
Takata airbag recall 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, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for complaints about inflator recalls, Takata's above all. Many owners here aren't describing a failure they've seen. They're describing a recall notice, a dealer who doesn't have the part, and the question of whether the car is safe to drive in the meantime.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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
27 of the 67 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,150 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 17,933 and 63,000 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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
“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
“Issue with passenger air bag. Issue was caught and detected by dealership as ods sensor error. Further research revealed recall in vehicles of the same year, make, and model as vehicle in question for that part. Dealership and corporate offices deny relation of problems with recall, claim no such recall exists for the vehicle.”
Filed Jun 23, 2022
“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. 2 of 67 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
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