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severe Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester have filed 85 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 15,130 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 53 |
| 2015 Forester | 92 |
| 2016 Forester | 86 |
| 2017 Forester | 147 |
| 2018 Forester (this page) | 85 |
| 2019 Forester | 14 |
| 2020 Forester | 9 |
| 2022 Forester | 4 |
Of the 85 airbags complaints filed for the 2018 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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.
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 ↗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.
Owners report the passenger-side airbag warning light illuminating intermittently or continuously, with the dashboard indicating the airbag is deactivated even when an adult occupant is seated. The issue occurs randomly while driving, parked with the engine on, and at various speeds. Some owners describe the airbag toggling on and off unpredictably, requiring workarounds—getting out of the vehicle and back in, or moving to a different seat position—to temporarily restore function. Others report the system failing to recognize that a passenger is present, or conversely, activating false seatbelt warnings when items like purses or cushions are placed on the seat.
Dealers have attributed the problem to a faulty occupant detection system (ODS) harness or seat cushion assembly, with part numbers and date codes matching those referenced in Subaru recall WUM-98 (NHTSA 19V-701). However, many owners report their vehicles fall outside the recall's production date range (January 20, 2015–August 1, 2017) even though they have the identical symptoms and matching component date codes. Owners note Subaru has refused to repair vehicles under recall coverage citing VIN-specific exclusions. Parts have been consistently back-ordered for months, leaving owners without safe passenger-seat use and forced into rental vehicles. A small number of owners report the problem began immediately after dealer-performed repairs for other issues, raising questions about service quality.
Same Subaru Forester airbags reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019
The wiring harness connecting the passenger seat occupancy sensor intermittently fails, causing the airbag to deactivate even when an adult is seated. The failure is unpredictable and often resolves temporarily when the vehicle is restarted or the passenger exits and re-enters.
When: Random; occurs at all speeds, while parked with engine on, and while driving. Often begins within the first few months of ownership (June–October 2018 for vehicles purchased new in August 2017).
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or constantly; Dashboard displays 'Passenger Airbag OFF' even with occupant seated; SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminates; Airbag toggles on and off without clear trigger; Temporary restoration after restarting vehicle or moving passenger; System eventually fails to respond to restart/reseating workarounds
Codes mentioned: B1650, ODS module fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend replacing the ODS harness, seat cushion assembly (part numbers 64084SG020, 64139SG200VH cited), or entire front passenger seat. Costs reported: $1,100–$1,483.47. Parts have been consistently back-ordered; wait times cited as months to over a year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru recall WUM-98 (NHTSA 19V-701) addresses this defect but covers only vehicles manufactured January 20, 2015–August 1, 2017. Affected vehicles manufactured after August 1, 2017 (including many 2018 model year Foresters) are excluded from recall coverage. Owners with excluded vehicles report Subaru refusing free repair even when their ODS harness date codes (e.g., 18019, 17346, 17321) fall within the defective range outlined in the recall bulletin WUM-98R. Subaru has stated the repair is not their responsibility and owners must pay out of pocket. Subaru also issued a subsequent recall (WRA-24) for 2020–2022 Forester and Outback models for the same issue, suggesting the problem persists across multiple model years. Owners report long parts lead times and Subaru declining to provide rental assistance while vehicles await repair.
The ODS sensor fails to properly detect whether the seat is occupied, activating false seatbelt warnings when objects (purses, cushions, shopping bags, newspapers) are placed on the seat, or failing to recognize actual passengers. The system may also treat passengers using seat cushions for medical or comfort reasons as unoccupied, disabling the airbag.
When: Intermittent; occurs regardless of vehicle speed or driving condition. Can occur immediately upon vehicle startup or develop over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt warning chime activates continuously when passenger is seated or when items are on seat; Passenger airbag disables despite adult occupant being seated; System fails to detect passengers under a certain weight threshold; System disables airbag if passenger uses a cushion for back support or comfort; False positives: seatbelt alert when only objects are on seat
Codes mentioned: ODS sensor malfunction codes
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of ODS sensor mat or entire seat cushion assembly required. One owner reported $1,100 cost under warranty; non-warranty costs higher. Dealers sometimes blame water damage or owner negligence (spilled liquids, seat covers) despite no evidence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledges the design challenge in its owner's manual (section 1-56), which advises passengers to remove unnecessary items from the seat and avoid seat covers/cushions to ensure airbag activation. No manufacturer solution has been offered to accommodate passengers with legitimate medical or physical needs for cushioning. The issue appears design-related rather than defect-based in Subaru's view, but many owners dispute this characterization given the widespread complaints and existence of the recall.
Following dealer service for unrelated issues, the passenger seat airbag system malfunctions. One owner reported the dealer incorrectly reinstalled the seat belt after replacing the airbag sensor, missing a critical anchor part, leaving the seatbelt loose and non-functional.
When: After dealer service; within days to months following repair work.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates after service completion; Seat belt incorrectly anchored or loose after sensor repair; SRS warning light persists despite parts replacement
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required replacement of missing seat belt anchor part; dealer ordered wrong part initially, delaying repair further. No cost data provided for this specific failure mode.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru did not formally respond in the narrative; the owner was managing the issue through the dealer service center.
Vehicles with ODS harnesses bearing date codes and supplier codes that fall within the defective range specified in recall bulletin WUM-98R are denied recall coverage because the vehicle's VIN was not included in the original recall population. Multiple owners have provided photos of harness labels showing date codes (e.g., 18019, 17346, 17321) and supplier code 6578, all meeting the 'NG (No Good)' criteria outlined in the bulletin, yet Subaru refuses to replace them under recall.
When: Identified during or shortly after diagnostic inspection; often discovered by owners comparing their harness labels to the recall bulletin.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates; ODS sensor malfunction confirmed by dealer scan; Owner discovers harness date/supplier codes match recall bulletin 'defective' criteria
Codes mentioned: Part number 64084SG020 (matching defective harness specified in WUM-98R)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have been charged $140–$1,483.47 for repairs that appear to fall within recall scope. One owner paid $900 out of pocket after Subaru offered only $500 goodwill assistance. Dealers state they cannot perform the repair at no cost because the VIN is not flagged in the recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru has stated recalls are VIN-specific and set by NHTSA, offering no expansion of recall coverage despite owners providing documented evidence that their harnesses meet the defective criteria. Subaru customer advocacy has refused further assistance once the vehicle's initial recall period expired. Owners believe Subaru failed to identify all affected vehicles and that the recall should be expanded to include 2018 model year Foresters manufactured after August 1, 2017.
Replacement ODS harnesses and seat cushion assemblies have been on backorder for extended periods (months to over a year), leaving owners unable to use the passenger seat safely and forcing many into extended rental arrangements.
When: Parts ordered Fall 2018 through 2024; wait times range from months to over 12 months with no firm delivery date.
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer informs customer part is backordered; Estimated delivery dates are repeatedly pushed back; No firm delivery date provided; ETA listed as 'maybe' or 'TBD'
Repairs/costs cited: Part numbers 64084SG020, 64139SG200VH cited as backordered. One owner waited 6 months unable to drive the vehicle; another waited nearly a year. Dealers advised customers not to allow passengers in the front seat pending repair availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledged parts were on backorder and stated they would attempt to expedite delivery, but provided no timeline or commitment. One owner noted that even current recall WRA-24 (2020–2022 models) lacks parts for many vehicles waiting to be repaired, suggesting systemic supply issues. Subaru initially refused to provide rental assistance in at least one case, telling the owner the vehicle could simply not be driven with passengers.
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
NHTSA recall 19v-701 (Subaru recall wum-98) includes only foresters with seat heaters manufactured from 1/20/15 - 8/1/17. My forester was manufactured on 6/6/18 and is not currently included. Page 3 of product campaign bulletin wum-98r revised 11/20/19 (copy attached) states if the date code on the front passenger seat cushion wiring harness is 18074 (74th day of 2018) or before and the…
The airbag SHOULD automatically turn on and off when someone is in the passenger seat. Most of the time when there is a passenger in the seat the airbag won't turn on, so we're driving around with no airbag in the passengers seat This sounds like the issue with NHTSA 19V701 but we are not covered in that vin range. This vehicle was also equipped with heated seats.
When my husband shuts off the car, gets out and refuels, I remain seated in the passenger seat. He starts the car and drives off. The passenger airbag light reads that the airbag is off even though I am seated in the passenger seat. The first time it happened starlink told us to take the car in to be checked,but the didn't find anything wrong with it. This has happened so many times that I get…
Our Subaru began experiencing intermittent issues with the warning light for the occupant detection wiring harness (ODS) in October 2023. The vehicle was inspected by Duteau Subaru of Lincoln NE on October 19th 2023 who determined the issue was a malfunctioning of the seat sensor for the occupant seat and was told I would have to replace the entire seat base to correct the issue. I understand…
It's a meaningful issue. 85 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 8,300 and 29,670 miles, with the median around 15,130. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,300; a quarter make it past 29,670. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.