2018 Subaru Forester Complaints

The passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS), including the occupant detection sensor system in the passenger seat, has malfunctioned. The SRS/airbag warning light is illuminated. The vehicle produced diagnostic trouble codes B1650 and B1760. The affected passenger seat and components remain installed in the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request. As the SRS light is on, none of the airbags may not deploy as intended in a crash because the occupant detection system is incorrectly classifying an adult passenger as “Empty or CRS.” With an adult seated normally and wearing the seat belt, the system continues to display “PASS AIR BAG OFF.” This could prevent or improperly control deployment of vehicle airbag during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Yes. The problem was confirmed by a Subaru dealership. The dealership diagnosed the passenger Occupant Detection System/SRS issue and confirmed that the passenger occupant detection system is malfunctioning. The vehicle...

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 bags may not deploy in case of accident. Quick online search reveals this problem has been prevalent in other 2018 Foresters not included in the original recall.

Discovered (06/08/26) that the engine would not turn over without the accelerator being pushed down when warm from driving after resting 30-60 minutes. Car was taken to Capital Subaru. No codes were triggered. The throttle body was cleaned. No change. The Crankshaft Position Sensor was replaced, the ECU was reprogrammed, then the EVAP Purge Valve was replaced. A bottle of fuel injector cleaner was added to the gas tank by the dealership mechanics. No improvement. Then both CAM sensors were replaced. No improvement. All with no effect. Finally the injectors were pulled and a rail pressure test was conducted. The injectors were not holding pressure for more then 2-3 minutes. The warm start issue was fixed when the injectors were replaced on July 31, 2026.

- The passenger-side Occupant Detection System (ODS) sensor, which is part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbag system, has failed. This component was previously replaced under a Subaru safety recall completed in May 2020. The SRS airbag warning light is now illuminated again, indicating a failure of the same system. The vehicle and failed component are available for inspection upon request. - The failure of the ODS sensor directly impacts the functionality of the passenger airbag system. This creates a significant safety risk because the airbag may not deploy correctly—or at all—in the event of a crash. This puts both the driver and any passenger at increased risk of serious injury or death. Since this is a critical safety system, its failure compromises the overall crash protection of the vehicle. - The issue is indicated by the illuminated SRS airbag warning light and has been identified as related to the Occupant Detection System. A dealership has confirmed that the OD...

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 disabling the front passenger-side airbag.The dealership confirmed that the passenger-side airbag remains completely disabled and inoperable due to a hardware failure of the internal occupant detection sensor mat. Because the initial WUM-98 recall was previously marked as "closed" in Subaru's automated system, the manufacturer refused to cover the repair under the recall. I was forced to pay $1,258.34 out of pocket up front to order a replacement front passenger seat cushion assembly (Part #64139SG061LL) to restore bas...