2017 Subaru Forester Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 164 Airbags complaints for the 2017 Subaru Forester, 28% of all complaints that year, tied to 14 crashes and 14 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 30,000. A related recall (19V701000) covers a loosening occupant detection sensor connection.
- Airbags complaints
- 164
- 28% of 587
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 14
- Median mileage
- 30,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-severe front-end collisions, even with substantial vehicle damage.
- Owners report side airbags not deploying in T-bone or side-impact crashes despite significant door and panel damage.
- Owners report airbags staying inactive during rollover events after being struck by larger vehicles like trucks.
- Some owners tie non-deployment to the passenger occupant detection system recall, saying the airbag still failed to fire even after the recall repair was performed.
- Owners report chest, rib, neck, and whiplash injuries in accidents where airbags did not deploy at all.
When 2017 Subaru Forester airbag complaints were filed
First complaint May 16, 2017, latest Aug 19, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2017 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 2017 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA lists 164 Airbags complaints for the 2017 Forester, which is 28% of all 587 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag-related recall for the 2017 Subaru Forester?
- Yes. Recall 19V701000 covers 2015-2018 Foresters with heated seats where an electrical connection in the front passenger seat's Occupant Detection System may loosen. Subaru dealers inspect and replace the ODS sensor mat harness free of charge.
- Did the 2017 Forester's airbag issues cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links this problem area to 14 crashes and 14 injuries, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 30,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 Forester compare to other years for airbag complaints?
- The 2017 model year's 28% share of complaints tied to airbags is the highest among Forester years listed, above 2016's 24% and 2018's 20%.