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 the federal safety agency 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.
2015 Subaru Forester: airbag warning light
42 of the 617 complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 42
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,200
- typical mileage
- 89,000
- recalls
- 1
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
Passenger air bag warning light goes on and off even if there is no one sitting in the seat
I am reporting a recurring safety defect in my 2015 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX] ) that directly relates to Recall WUM-98 / the federal safety agency Recall 19V‑701 (Occupant Detection System wiring harness). Original Recall (2019–2020): The Occupant Detection System (ODS) failed, disabling the passenger airbag. Subaru performed the recall remedy at that time. Reoccurrence (August 2025): The exact same defect reappeared. The SRS airbag warning illuminated and the passenger airbag was disabled while my wife was seated in the passenger seat. Subaru of Lancaster County (PA) initially reported no error, but when I retrieved the car, the warning illuminated immediately. Repair: On August 28, 2025, the dealer replaced the ODS wiring harness at my expense ($440.73). Since then, the issue has not reappeared. Concern: This is the same safety defect already subject to Recall WUM-98. I believe the original recall remedy failed to permanently correct the defect, leaving owners vulnerable to reoccurrence and forcing them to pay out-of-pocket for a known recall-related safety failure. I request the federal safety agency’s review to determine whether Subaru’s recall remedy is adequate and to ensure owners are not unfairly charged for repeat repairs of the same defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SRS air bag system needs to be checked Alert on
I own a 2015 Subaru Forester that was involved in the federal safety agency recall ID 19V‑701 - Subaru safety recall WUM-98 in 2020. My VIN is [XXX] and my dealer is Lancaster County Subaru in Lancaster, PA. For about four months in the end of 2019 until February of 2020 we were unable to use the passenger seat due to the air bag problem which was intermittent. This required either my wife or I to ride in the back. We could correct this error on a restart by moving the yellow ODS wire harness under the seat and restarting the car. But our dealer and Subaru of America could not assure us that the air bag would deploy properly if we were in an accident because the system only does a system check when first starting the car, not while driving. Two weeks ago, about [XXX] my airbag issue has returned, again it's intermittent. I opened a case with Subaru of America, Case # [XXX] and they say there is no further recall for this issue. This is the same issue that was resolved by the federal safety agency recall ID 19V-70. When it faults an orange SRS image appears on the screen then it shows an orange "i" on the top part of the center screen along with an orange image of the airbag error in the tachometer area and shows the airbag system is off. Once we aren't using the front passenger seat because of the safety concern about air bag not deploying properly if we were in an accident, because the system only does a system check when first starting the car, not while driving. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SRS airbag system not registering that there is a passenger in the passenger seat and therefore the airbag is not turning on.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the message "SRS Air Bag System Failed" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Passenger Air Bag Off" was displayed while the front passenger's side seat was being occupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V701000(Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.
This year, an error message indicated that the SRS system has ceased functioning on the passenger seat. According to the Subaru Service Center, a sensor within the seat has malfunctioned. This issue appears to be common, based on online research. The failed sensor poses a risk to the front passenger, as it may disable the SRS system and potentially the airbag. Despite this, the dealer has informed us that the repair will not be covered under warranty due to the vehicle's 2015 model year. The dealer has recommended replacing the entire seat, which seems to be an unusually premature failure for a part expected to last the vehicle’s lifetime.
My issue (which started a week ago) is that the Occupant Detection System (ODS) shows the passenger airbag as OFF and gives an SRS Airbag warning when my spouse is sitting in the passenger seat. When I sit in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag shows ON. But then when the car is driven with no passenger, the system dings until the driver hooks the passenger seatbelt--it thinks the passenger is still there. (I weigh 190; my spouse weighs 125). The consequences are that if the vehicle is involved in a crash and my spouse is in the passenger seat, her airbag will fail to deploy. If anyone is driving without a passenger (after I have been in the passenger seat) the passenger airbag may deploy unnecessarily, should a crash occur. My ODS harness was replaced in Feb., 2020 as part of NTSA Safety Recall ID 19V‑701 (Subaru Safety Recall WUM-98) to address faulty ODS issues. (I was not having an issue then). Yesterday my local Subaru dealer recommended "Seat frame bottom replacement and ODS harness DTC B1760, 17067" to address this "ODS Internal Failure." "Part is on back order" so repair is pending.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 model year Forester vehicles to replace...
- Owner notification WUM-98 Forester Passenger-side Front Airbag ODS Recall.
- Interim Owner Notification WUM-98 Forester Passenger-side Front Airbag ODS Recall.
- To assist with customer inquiries regarding the ODS recall, please use the attached list of answers to...
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 model year Forester vehicles to replace...
- To support our retailers partners currently stocking certain 2015-2018MY pre-owned Subaru Forester vehicle...
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Recall number 19V701000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2015 Subaru Forester airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
42 of 617 owner complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester (7%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Subaru Forester
Stalling 43Loss of power 40Coil spring 38Check engine light 30Sudden acceleration 28Adaptive cruise 23Jerking 23No deployment 21Oil consumption 21Warning lights 21ABS 20Hesitation 20CVT failure 19Engine failure 16Fuel gauge 14Won't start 14Windshield crack 13Ball joint 10Fuel pump 9Shudder 9Battery drain 8Fire or smoke 8Door locks 7Power steering loss 6Misfire 5Won't shift 5Transmission failure 5
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