2012 Subaru Impreza: airbag warning light

Filed Jan 5, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · OR

The Airbag warning light has been lit within the dashboard. The front passenger seat airbag is faulty and is not able to correctly sense when a passenger is within the seat or not, which disables the airbags. This can be deadly to the passenger if in an accident. The issue seems to be in the ODS passenger seat mat that determines when the airbag is active or not. If moisture is able to get within the mat, then it can short the circuit and cause airbags to not deploy. My car was "supposed" to already been fixed with the issue in 2015 on the recall #WQT55, the federal safety agency Campaign 15V419000, but I don't believe the underlying issue was fixed correctly or the same part has failed again. Looking further into recalls, the exact same issue is happening again with Subarus with #WRA-24 and the federal safety agency campaign 24V227. The dealer has asked me to pay over $1700 on to replace this part. Subaru America should fully cover the cost of any Passenger ODS issue especially when there have already been two recalls with the exact same issue.

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Airbags · 88,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that there was a defective gasket on the transfer case and the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. The contact stated that while a relative was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where a code reader determined that there was a defect with the front passenger’s side air bag sensor. A dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Airbags · VA

Over the past three months, the front driver and passenger airbag lights have been on in my 2012 Subaru Impreza while driving. Documented videos attached were on 01/11/23, 01/20/23, and 04/04/23. It has happened at least 6 times and possibly more. I contacted Subaru after it happened and took it to the local Subaru dealer, who advised me to bring the car in when the airbag light was on, as at my 1/17/23 visit, they could not figure out the cause of the airbag light. On 4/4/23, while driving on the expressway, the airbag light came on, and as advised, I drove it straight to the local dealership. Code B1650 was pulled off the airbag system, which I am told could be 3 different reasons. On 4/10/23, I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy and said the local dealer's solutions were unacceptable and to wait and see. Again on 4/12/23, while my daughter was driving on the expressway with my son in the passenger seat, the airbag lights on again for both the passenger and driver. As I told Subaru on 4/10/23, this Subaru Impreza is unsafe to drive, and the airbags would not deploy in the case of an accident with both airbag lights on. This is a very dangerous situation that could end up with some very dire consequences. The ODS system was previously replaced under the federal safety agency #15V419000, but it appears that the recall part may also be defective. The passenger seat has not been altered or wet to cause malfunctions. It is a defect in the Subaru airbag system.

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Airbags · VA

The passenger airbag light is off at all times. I am presuming it is not functioning. It used to turn on and off in the last few years and I was able to fix it following the manual instructions but now it is permanently off.

Filed Nov 6, 2020 · Seats · 122,000 miles · PA

When driving my vehicle the passenger airbag warning would go off with no passenger in the vehicle. When I have a passenger in my vehicle, the airbag sensor can't detect a passenger which is extremely dangerous. Also, for whatever reason the drivers seat isnt detecting a driver so the airbag light is on. After googling this issue I see that many other 2012 subaru impreza owners are having the same issue with no resolve.

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Airbags · 102,500 miles · WI

Passenger airbag indicator will show off even though a passenger is seated. This happens whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion.

Filed Oct 14, 2019 · Airbags · 52,000 miles · AK

Passenger side airbag is turned off with a passenger sitting in the seat when the seat gets wet when something is spilled, or when the passenger sits in seat with damp/wet clothes because they got wet because it is raining outside. The passenger air bag light works properly when the seat dries out in a few days. This has happened multiple times , most recently being a few weeks ago. The light does not work properly when the car is moving or stopped.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Airbags · 110,000 miles · NH

Passenger airbag will intermittently turn off and airbag warning light comes on when there is a passenger in the seat. Seat is not wet. My 2012 impreza was not part of the recall of the passenger seat airbag sensor but I believe it should be as this sensor fails quite often and the passenger airbag turns off even when someone is sitting in the seat.

Filed May 18, 2019 · Airbags · 79,000 miles · IN

The airbag symbol turns on at almost random times, indicating that there is an error with the airbag system. About 50% of the time I drive, the airbag system light will come on and stay on during my drive, with a passenger in the front seat. Sometimes if I turn off the vehicle and turn it back on, the airbag light will turn off - but there is no consistent pattern. Today the light came on, I parked the car for about 2 hours when I turned it back on the light was still illuminated.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Airbags, Seats · WA

The occupant detection sensor (ods) cannot detect a person when seated in the passenger. I have attempted to sit in the passenger seat with the engine on and off; while in motion and also when the car is stationary. The passenger air bag light on the center dash remains illuminated "off" also, the airbag symbol turns on at almost random times, indicating that there is an error with the airbag system. About 50% of the time I drive, the airbag system light will come on and stay on during my drive, whether I am driving alone or with a passenger in the front seat. Sometimes if I turn off the vehicle and turn it back on, the airbag light will turn off - but there is no consistent pattern.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Airbags · 102,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving 55 MPH, the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated while the front passenger seat was occupied. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v419000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to subaru of corvallis (located at 800 nw 5th st, corvallis, or 97330, (541) 754-1515) where it was diagnosed that the occupant detection system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2018 · Airbags, Seats · 130,000 miles · NY

Passenger seat airbag warning light shows passenger airbag disabled while a passenger is in the seat. This happens whether the car is moving or stopped. Car is a 2012 subaru impreza 5-door wagon, built 10/2011. I see 2012 impreza sedans have been recalled, but I am having the same issue as those, but my car is a 5-door wagon and isn't on the recall list. Please expand the recall.