2018 Subaru Forester seats & seat belts problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 18, 2026NCAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   Airbag light came on - dealership confirmed it is an occupant detection system failure - wiring harness has gone bad. No history of moisture exposure, which would leave faulty part as the problem. Similar to Subaru recall from 2020 on heated passenger seats - this vehicle was not included in that recall, but is in the same year range and has heated seats. Entire bottom piece of front seat must be replaced, including wiring harness and seat mounting bracket; otherwise air…

   NHTSA complaint #11757637 · source
2. Filed Jul 19, 2026OHAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   I brought my vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealership (Byers Imports, LLC in Columbus, Ohio) to diagnose the reason for the airbag warning lamp illuminating. The dealer had the manufacturer's WUM-98 Safety Recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 19V701000) performed to remedy a defective Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor harness.Despite the recall remedy being completed, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag warning light re-illuminated on the dashboard, completely…

   NHTSA complaint #11751355 · source
3. Filed Mar 10, 2026MEAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   Passenger front seat. Airbag light is on when someone is sitting in the seat and seatbelt indicator dings when nothing is in the seat.

   NHTSA complaint #11723419 · source
4. Filed Sep 4, 2025MAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   The passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor failed, turning off the airbag and illuminating the SRS light. This is a known safety defect covered by Subaru recall 19V701 / WUM-98 for 2015–2018 Foresters built through August 1, 2017. My vehicle, a 2018 Forester XT Touring (VIN [XXX] ), has the same defect but Subaru and NHTSA do not list it as part of the recall. I waited nearly a year for the replacement seat to arrive, and Subaru of America only offered $500…

   NHTSA complaint #11685044 · source
5. Filed Jul 1, 2025MTAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   My airbag warning light comes on intermittently. My mechanic found it is due to a recalled part but my vin number is not listed on the recall even though it meets the criteria. Subaru Safety Recall WUM-98 NHTSA Recall ID 19V 70. The person in the passenger seat's safety is at risk if the airbags don't deploy in the event of a crash.

   NHTSA complaint #11670418 · source
6. Filed May 30, 2025PAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   Subaru recall WUM98 was issued in 2019 to replace the ODS harness on my 2018 Subaru Forester. The part replacement was completed in in April 2020. The harness failed again in Oct 2024. It was replaced for the 2nd time. Now, my passenger air bag light is on for the 3rd time, and the dealership is indicating that the ODS mat is the culprit (not the harness). Subaru is not covering this under any open recall. Note that Subaru currently has an open recall WRA-24 for certain 2020…

   NHTSA complaint #11663998 · source
7. Filed Mar 19, 2025CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   THE ODS is not properly determining the status of the right front seat occupant. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the front passenger airbag is deactivated even with a person sitting in the passenger seat. The ODS is also unable to determine if someone is in the seat and triggers the seatbelt alert when anything (even a purse) is on the seat. This exact issue was part of a Subaru recall WUM-98R, for 2015-2018 Subaru Foresters produced between January 20, 2015 –…

   NHTSA complaint #11649359 · source
8. Filed Oct 2, 2024GAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   The sensor in the seat has been intermittently working for years and finally quit. It costs close to $2000 to fix and there is no way to switch the air bag to stay on. It seems this is an issue with other 2018 Subaru foresters and for some reason the recall did not apply to my VIN.

   NHTSA complaint #11617755 · source
9. Filed Aug 9, 2024VAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   My 2018 Subaru Forester has a faulty passenger air bag sensor, which has been diagnosed by my local Subaru dealer, with a repair cost of $1,500+ for labor and parts. It has intermittently turned on and off again, but after getting a separate issue fixed by my dealer, they diagnosed this problem, and every time the car is turned on, the warning light is constantly displayed, and the passenger seat airbag light shows "OFF" even when someone is in the passenger seat. Upon…

   NHTSA complaint #11607542 · source
10. Filed Jun 22, 2024ORAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    The passenger seat, passenger air bags, and occupant detection system are failing. YES! Available for inspection. Passenger occupants are put at risk riding in my passenger seat as the seat does not detect if the seatbelt is on, or even if someone is sitting in the seat. The AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN INTENDED! Issue was first brought to [XXX] at Subaru in Pasco WA, where they “could not do anything because it was not YET a recall.” As of [XXX], it has been confirmed by an…

    NHTSA complaint #11595920 · source
11. Filed Mar 28, 2024DEAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    Not sure why my car is not being recalled for occupant detection harness. Subaru telling me it’s the vin number, that’s not the problem it’s I have a defective harness according to Subaru product bulletin wud-98r harness with date prior to 18074 is defective and needs to be replaced free of charge. My harness has a date of 17293. My car has all the criteria of the recall. This started back in April 2020 with warning light on and off same with airbag indicator. Now the…

    NHTSA complaint #11579887 · source
12. Filed Dec 5, 2023MOAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    Around 83,000 miles my passenger safety air bag warning sensor started coming on and off intermittently. It would happen both when a passenger was in the seat and when no one was in the seat. There have been no previous issues. I immediately scheduled my car to be diagnosed at the Subaru dealership and they notified me the passenger occupancy sensor pad is faulty and that it would cost $1,483.47 to replace. The dealer stated that the passenger airbag might not deploy if the…

    NHTSA complaint #11558493 · 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