Problems · by component

2015 Subaru Forester air bags problems

102 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Subaru Forester cite air bags, 17% of all 616 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
102
17% of all complaints
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The passenger seat belt went off when my beagle was jumping around on the front seat and I had made an appointment to bring it into the shop the dealer and the light was off but I had the appointment so I brought it in anyway and now the lights on all the time now and it's coming up on the screen too they just made the whole problem even worse and it did have the initial fix for the harness already but that did not work”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2026Air bagsODI 11767237
“The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag module warning light was illuminated. The air bag occupant classification system was not operating as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and an occupant detection system malfunction code was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,684.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026Air bagsODI 11747820
“Codes for B1760 and B1650 present, intermittent SRS light for the passenger airbag. Passengers put at risk in event of crash. SRS sensor issues seem to be common for this vehicle according to online databases and dealership technicians.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2026Air bagsODI 11746865
“Passenger airbag sensor intermittently works and turns off when passenger is in the seat. Dashboard light for airbag is constantly on and passenger airbag is constantly off. Issues with seat sensor going off when no one is sitting in the passenger seat. Abs system error message. All identical to recall symptoms.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, SeatsODI 11703165
“Airbag light intermittently turns on to indicate that airbag may not deploy even if there is someone in the passenger seat. This is a known safety issue with a recall in 2019 but for some reason is affecting a much larger set of vehicles than in the recall, including mine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11693312
“Getting an SRS Airbag system needs to be checked. Took the 2015 Subaru Forester to Williams Subaru in Lansing MI and they stated the code B1760 for the occupant detection system Mat was determined. The seat has not been wet and nothing spilled on it and was also determined dry by the repair specialist at time of service. They were able to reset sensor and did a test drive. Less than a week later when a passenger was in seat the warning SRS Airbag needs to be checked is back on. They stated if this happens then part cost will be approx 1000 not including service/repair (approx total 1700) They also state this part is on backorder. I have Concern for previous recall completed in 2019 for the passenger seat sensor matt harness. Is this a continuation of a problem that should be recalled with the sensor harness. Service states passenger front cushion frame and assembly needs replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2025Air bagsODI 11692561

Showing 6 of 102 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: occupant classification

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 3, 2019NHTSA 19V701000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.