2014 Subaru Forester airbags problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 24, 2025COAirbags

   Airbag warning light came on 1/25, took to Subaru dealership for diagnostic service. Was told the Passenger Front Seat Occupant Detection Sensor Assembly needs to be replaced, airbag system is not functional. Item has been on backorder, unable to replace as needed and told this is a known issue for Subaru. Have since contacted Subaru National Consumer Advocacy for assistance (case #250418-1700639). We have been waiting for 4 months to remedy this situation. Through no fault…

   NHTSA complaint #11656531 · source
2. Filed Apr 22, 2025103,000 miTNCrash2 injuredTowedAirbags

   The contact owned a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a vehicle coming from oncoming traffic was attempting to make a left, causing the contact to crash into that oncoming vehicle. The contact mentioned that during the impact, the front passenger side wheel was pushed into the radiator. The contact spouse sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact was taken to the local emergency room. The contact stated that…

   NHTSA complaint #11656114 · source
3. Filed Mar 27, 2025MTCrashFireTowedAirbagsBody & StructureElectrical System

   While I was driving to work, with Cruise control set at 65, I hit a deer head on. All airbags deployed and engine ceased and I was able to brake car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Within minutes, the engine erupted in fire and thankfully I wasn't trapped inside and was able to get out, because by the time I got 4-500 feet from the car, it had been totally engulfed in flames. From the time I hit the deer to the fire starting was less than 10 minutes. Fire truck wasn't…

   NHTSA complaint #11651125 · source
4. Filed Feb 7, 2025UTAirbags

   About a year ago the passenger airbag warning light came on. Took it to the dealer who stated the passenger seat occupant detection sensor was malfunctioning. I was also told this meant the passenger airbags would not deploy in an accident. The dealer stated the replacement part was on back order and they could not get it. It has been 11 months and they have not gotten the part. Additionally this part has been recalled on the 2015-2018 models with heated seats due to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11641408 · source
5. Filed Oct 17, 2024NJAirbags

   airbag inspection light comes on. Dealer verified vehicle has defective passenger harness and or seat cushion. Replaced harness under passenger seat in July 24, now Oct 24 airbag inspection light is back on. The 2014 has the same WUM 98 harness kit and seat sensor, so why isn't the 2014 Subaru Forrester included in the WUM 98 recall?

   NHTSA complaint #11620376 · source
6. Filed Feb 21, 2024HIAirbags

   My 2014 Subaru Forester has a defective passenger weight sensor in the passenger seat. This sensor has been subject to recall for the 2015-2018 model years. [XXX] Shouldn’t that be extended to the 2014 model year? It appears to be the same problem and is widely reported online. 1. The airbag is set to not deploy when the weight sensor is not talking to the control computer. A clear safety hazard. 2. The Servco Subaru dealer confirmed it wasn’t working and wants over $1k to…

   NHTSA complaint #11573240 · source
7. Filed Jan 18, 2024NJAirbags

   Occupant Detection System (ODS) system failure causes the front passenger-side airbag system to malfunction, which could mean that the airbag may not deploy during a collision. Although other model years have a product campaign bulletin for this issue (WUM-98R, NHTSA ID 19V-701), the 2014 does not. Numerous other consumers have complained about this same issue. The dealership indicates that the only remedy is to replace the seat cushion, which costs more than $1,000, at the…

   NHTSA complaint #11566396 · source
8. Filed Jul 10, 2023ILAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   The passenger side seat airbag sensor has quit sensing when someone is seating in the seat and turns off the airbag. After taking it in to the dealership and them running diagnostics they said, “it isnt working.” They quoted me a repair of $1182 to replace the whole seat. I know Subaru has issued a recall on certain models, but my car was not one of them. It seems like the same problem though. There appears to be a lot of people having the same faulty sensor system and…

   NHTSA complaint #11531384 · source
9. Filed Jul 1, 2023WAAirbags

   Since January, the occupancy airbag warning light would turn on and off. Also, even with no passenger in the passenger seat, I would have to engage the passenger side seatbelt so the reminder bell would stop dinging. On 15 June, I took my vehicle into the Subaru dealership. The diagnoses what that the occupancy senor in the passenger seat was defective. I was informed that this defect also disables the entire car's airbag system. To answer the other questions above: 1) Yes,…

   NHTSA complaint #11529890 · source
10. Filed Jun 27, 2023191,000 miSCAirbags

    The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed that the ODS (Occupant Detection System) was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11529127 · source
11. Filed Sep 20, 202272,500 miVAAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechSeats & Seat Belts

    The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing, the Back Over Prevention screen failed to display an image. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds, the front passenger’s side seat belt and air bag warning lights would illuminate without an occupant seated in the seat. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with…

    NHTSA complaint #11485551 · source
12. Filed Jun 22, 2022170,000 miORAirbags

    The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger’s seat air bag sensor failed to recognize a passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The air bag off message remained off while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11470433 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology