2015 Subaru Forester Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 101 airbag-related complaints for the 2015 Subaru Forester, 16% of all complaints for that year, including 17 crashes and 12 injuries. A related recall (19V701000) covers a front passenger seat Occupant Detection System sensor mat harness that can loosen.
- Airbags complaints
- 101
- 16% of 613
- Crashes reported
- 17
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 12
- Median mileage
- 59,900 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed parking-lot collisions, including impacts into walls or poles.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed side-impact and t-bone crashes, sometimes resulting in head, neck, chest, or rib injuries.
- Airbags fail to deploy in rear-end and red-light-runner collisions at highway or intersection speeds, occasionally with occupants striking the steering wheel.
- Side or curtain airbags do not deploy when the vehicle is struck on the side door or fender.
- In one report, the driver seat back and headrest broke loose and moved backward during a rear-end collision, separately from the airbag non-deployment issue.
When 2015 Subaru Forester airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 3, 2014, latest Jul 1, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester
- NHTSA 19V701000Oct 3, 2019Airbags366,282 vehicles
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: 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.
Airbags complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA lists 101 airbag-related complaints for the 2015 Forester, which is 16% of all 613 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2015 Subaru Forester airbag system?
- Yes. Recall 19V701000 covers 2015-2018 Foresters with heated seats, where an electrical connection to the front passenger seat Occupant Detection System sensor mat may loosen. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- Did the 2015 Forester airbag issues cause injuries or crashes?
- Owners reported 17 crashes and 12 injuries connected to airbag complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,900 miles.
- What do owners describe happening with the airbags?
- Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in low-speed parking-lot impacts, moderate-speed side and rear collisions, and higher-speed crashes involving other vehicles.