The pre-collision breaking system activated while I was driving 35mph on a straight road with no cars or obstacles present. There was enough force generated in the abrupt stop that the seatbelt locked and unsecured items were thrown to the floor.
Subaru Forester seat belt problems
31 of the 6,544 owner complaints about the Subaru Forester describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,100
- typical mileage
- 36,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20261
- 20221
- 20193
- 20183
- 20171
- 20161
- 20154
- 20145
- 20122
- 20111
- 20101
- 20042
- 20031
- 20012
- 20001
- 19992
Often reported together
Airbag light 6No deployment 3Sudden acceleration 2Whining noise 1Fire or smoke 1Knocking 1CVT failure 1Collision warning 1
What owners say
My drivers side seatbelt broke in a minor fender bender and was replaced.
Airbag/seatbelt system failure August, 2024. Passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) failure. Detection system fails to correctly detect passenger in the seat. Sometimes it thinks there is no passenger, when there is one (will fail to deploy airbag in a crash); sometimes it thinks there is a passenger when there is none (requires seat belt to be buckled with no one in the seat). Recall (19V‑701 -- ODS harness replacement) repairs were done to this vehicle Feb. 2020. New solution is different than for the 19V‑701 recall. For this issue, dealer recommends replacement of seat frame bottom (seat sensor). The seat sensor is failing. Repairs can not be made because replacement seat sensors are NOT AVAILABLE. Backordered. Subaru USA estimates July, 2025 first availability. This means critical safety issue for passengers in this vehicle will exist for nearly a year--even if parts become available in July.
Passenger airbag says to be checked. Was a recall previously fixed in 2020. Same issue is arising and dealership will not fix for free Passenger airbag is off even with person sitting in it with seatbelt buckled
There was a front-end collision into a stone wall. It appears the driver seatbelt failed and ripped upon impact. The driver died as a result of injuries sustained. There was a front passenger in the vehicle as well who was belted. The seatbelt for the front passenger worked correctly. That passenger had serious injuries but survived the collision. This fatal collision was investigated by Hillsborough, NJ Police, case # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Seatbelt locked with a passenger in the seat. Fire department was called and was forced to cut the locked and failed seatbelt.
We heard a new rattle, not uncommon in a Subaru. However, it bugged me to the point I looked into it. I determined it was a loose bolt that holds the female end of the seat belt buckle. I called Subaru of America on 5/4/23 at 3:17pm and was told I would receive a call back within two business days. As of this moment I have not heard from Subaru whatsoever. I checked every seat belt buckle in my other seven Subaru's (including my 1978 Brat) and none or them were loose. I find it unacceptable that Subaru refuses to acknowledge this safety issue. Not to mention its the only vehicle my wife can drive (automatic) and we have a 5 day old child.
Since purchase in 2019, Subaru indicates that front passenger seat air bag will not turn on unless passenger is 65 lbs or more. My passenger seat air bag registers "on" if I place any item such as 1 gallon Milk (full bottle from store) in the passenger seat and furthermore, the Warning chime for passenger seat belt (not buckled) will sound continuously until I buckle the seat belt? Our local Subaru dealer will not look at issue unless we are willing to pay $100-$200 for diagnostic test? And then warns us we will have to pay labor and parts costs if sensor is found defective.
The contact's mother owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt warning light failed to illuminate and alert the passenger to fasten the seat belt. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that a credit towards the repair would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
With no one sitting in the passage seat the warning light will not turn off unless the seat belt is buckled The CVT transmission is making a high pitch whining sound The dealership informed me the transmission is going out. There is a manufacturer extended warranty for up to 100,000 miles that I have not received. My car started to make the sound at 110,210 miles Subaru was fully aware of the CVT problems and are not being held accountable for the repairs. I have been quoted I’ve $7000 from the dealership for a replacement The CVT is not repairable My car is now unsafe to drive. The CVT transmission can fail and not shift or not stop while braking
Related recalls
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
Recall number 22V838000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 forester vehicles manufactured from november 26, 2007, through march 13, 2012. The automatic locking retractor in the seat belt assemblies located in the rear center seating of the affected vehicles do not meet lockability requirements and fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, occupant crash protection. specifically, the assemblies may not permit proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint in that seating position.
- Risk
- An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a newly modified automatic locking retractor, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on march 26, 2012. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 12V099000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies were improperly manufactured.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in personal injury to the seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies. Owner notification began february 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 03V047000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Forester seat belt
Which Subaru Forester years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (5 complaints), 2015 (4 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix seat belt won't latch or retract on the Subaru Forester?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,100 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Subaru Forester?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history