Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the diagnostic and repair procedures to be used when DTC B1760 (Occupant Detection Sensor Mat). The use of WUM-98 sensor harness kit should be used in place of the cushion assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Forester airbags problems
severe 86 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
86
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 86 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 86 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 model year Forester vehicles to replace the passenger-side front airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) harness. A total of 366,282 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Owner notification WUM-98 Forester Passenger-side Front Airbag ODS Recall.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The passenger-side occupant detection sensor is the dominant problem across these 85 complaints. Owners describe the sensor failing intermittently or permanently, causing the airbag to turn off while a passenger occupies the seat—exactly when protection is needed. The warning light appears, disappears after restart, then reappears without pattern. Dealers consistently blame moisture damage ("the seat got wet") despite no water exposure, then quote $1,200–$2,000 to replace the entire seat assembly because the sensor is molded in. Parts go on back order for months or into 2025.
Subaru issued recall 19V-701 in 2019 to replace the wiring harness connector, but many owners report this fix failed within months or years. Subaru then refuses warranty coverage, claiming the sensor itself isn't included in the recall. A few owners successfully escalated complaints to Subaru of America and got partial or full reimbursement, but others remain stuck. Separately, owners report that the replacement sensor uses an electrostatic design incompatible with seat cushions—including medical cushions for arthritis—a limitation not mentioned in the manual or recall paperwork.
Additionally, owners document crashes at highway speeds where airbags did not deploy despite severe impact, including one collision that bent all frame bolts 45 degrees. One owner hit a light pole with enough force to total the vehicle yet reported no airbag deployment and a lingering scar from lack of protection. These non-deployment cases remain largely unexplained in the narratives.
Same Subaru Forester airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Detection System (ODS) / Passenger Airbag Sensor Malfunction
The occupant detection system for the front passenger seat fails intermittently or permanently, causing the passenger airbag to deactivate while the seat is occupied, or to show warning lights unpredictably. Owners report the sensor fails to recognize an occupied seat, resulting in the airbag being disabled when passengers are present.
When: Intermittent failures noted from early ownership through later years; some occurring within warranty period, many beyond. Several reports cite failures years after initial recall repairs in 2019-2021.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator shows OFF when passenger is sitting in seat; SRS warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously; Warning message 'SRS Airbag System Needs to be Checked' appears while driving or at startup; Airbag sensor shows warning then clears after vehicle restart; Yellow or red airbag icon flashing on dashboard; Audible ding accompanying warning light
Codes mentioned: B1650, Occupant Classification System malfunction, Occupant Detection Sensor malfunction code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer remedy typically involves replacing entire front passenger seat assembly (not just sensor) at cost $1,200–$2,000+. Parts frequently on back order for months or into 2025. Some owners report dealers initially blamed moisture or external factors ('seat got wet') despite no evidence of water damage. One owner reported dealer quoted $1,500 for seat replacement; Subaru of America later covered the cost after complaint. Another owner had entire seat replaced at dealer cost after management override. Subaru issued recall 19V-701 with remedy of reconnecting/replacing wiring harness connector; many owners report this fix failed and problem recurred or persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V-701 issued (wiring harness connector remedy); Technical Service Bulletins issued but owners report recalls and TSBs did not fully resolve problem. Subaru of America initially told owners problem was out of warranty and refused coverage. Some cases reversed after owner escalation—partial coverage (50%), or full coverage negotiated. One owner with case #230314-1300095 noted conflicting guidance: 'Sam' recommended loaner car pending parts availability; 'Grant' denied loaner and required owner to halt front-seat use. Subaru informed owners that no expiration applies to recall but repair parts remain on back order. One owner reported VIN was excluded from recall list despite having defective supplier code identified in recall documentation.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Significant Crashes
Airbags fail to deploy during crashes of sufficient severity to warrant deployment. Owners report hitting poles, walls, other vehicles, or obstacles at highway speeds with minimal or no airbag activation despite severe structural damage.
When: Failures recorded during actual accidents at various mileages and ownership durations
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on driver or passenger side despite high-impact collision; Partial airbag deployment (e.g., curtain airbag deployed but seat-back airbag did not); Crash of sufficient force to total vehicle, bend frame bolts 45 degrees, yet airbags remain inactive; Owner injury (bruising, contusions, collar bone scar) despite safety systems being present
Codes mentioned: None reported by owners; crashes not investigated for diagnostic codes in narratives
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle typically totaled after impact. One owner reported repair cost estimate >$15,000 after deer strike. Owner stated 'there is no way that the entire airbags in the car shouldn't be deployed' given impact severity. Another owner reported all bolts bent 45 degrees but airbags non-functional. One collision resulted in owner hospitalization or significant injury; another resulted in airbag-free protection relying on seatbelts alone.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer statement recorded in narratives. One owner noted case under manufacturer investigation. NHTSA notified; manufacturer did not acknowledge or provide public recall for non-deployment issue.
Passenger Airbag Incompatibility with Seat Cushions (Electrostatic Sensor Limitation)
The replacement occupant detection sensor uses electrostatic technology that fails when a seat cushion is placed on the seat, preventing the sensor from detecting an occupied passenger. Owners report airbag disabled by thin seat cushions despite owner's manual not warning of this incompatibility.
When: Post-recall replacement (2021 onward) when new electrostatic sensor installed
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag turns off when a standard cushion is placed on front passenger seat; Airbag reactivates when cushion is removed; Driver-side airbag unaffected by seat cushions; No warning in owner's manual or recall paperwork about seat cushion incompatibility
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; owners directed to remove seat cushions. One owner reported spouse could not use vehicle with required arthritis cushion. Issue discovered only after complaint to Subaru; not disclosed at time of recall remedy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru told owner (after complaint) to not use seat cushions. No prior warning provided. One owner stated this should have been disclosed in manual and recall paperwork.
Intermittent SRS Warning Light with No Persistent Diagnostic Code
SRS/airbag warning light illuminates intermittently while driving or at startup, but clears before dealer can capture diagnostic codes. Owners unable to get permanent diagnosis; dealers unable to confirm underlying failure.
When: Various ownership durations; some starting shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light comes on, then turns off after vehicle restart; Light reappears days or weeks later unpredictably; No diagnostic codes present when vehicle brought to dealer; Passenger reports warning light while driving; driver unable to recreate at dealer appointment
Codes mentioned: No codes captured when vehicle inspected
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer performed system reset free of charge but could not confirm success. Owners report inability to proceed with repair due to intermittent nature; multiple dealers perplexed. One owner stated 'every time I start to head over, the fault goes out.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers performed resets with no lasting effect. No manufacturer involvement reported in these cases.
Steering Wheel Airbag with Broken Clockspring
Clockspring mechanism controlling the steering wheel airbag and horn breaks, disabling horn function and creating safety hazard if airbag system is affected.
When: At unspecified mileage during vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not work when button pressed; Multiple steering wheel controls affected; Clockspring failure creates safety issue for airbag deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement required; owner stated replacement part has been updated by manufacturer but update not proactively provided to consumers. Replacement cost owner responsibility.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Updated part available but not offered retroactively; owners must pay for replacement.
Right-Side Seat-Back Airbag Triggered but Failed to Deploy
During accident, right-side seat-back airbag was triggered by the airbag module but did not physically deploy, necessitating replacement despite not firing.
When: During accident at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light remains on after accident repair and airbag module reset; Right seat-back airbag confirmed triggered but did not deploy; Airbag must be replaced despite being triggered
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag replacement required. Owner questioned whether manufacturer should cover cost since airbag was triggered but failed to deploy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No statement provided in narrative.
Synthesized from 86 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2016 Subaru forester. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger side airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js
On november 7, 2020 around 630pm, I was driving on city street going nw on sunset in fair oaks, ca in a far right lane. I was driving about 35 to 40 MPH with one other cars infront or besides me. Certainly while I was driving, I heard a loud boom. Immediately after the loud boom, I could not see and realized my steering wheel airbag deployed. Then I looked to my right I saw a deer limping. So I…
Received recall notice about seat sensor and airbag defect. Need to,get,this repaired as a recall, but parts supposedly not yet available. Error messages since august when dealer told me that it was an air bag issue.
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2016 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 86 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,000 and 51,550 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 51,550. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.