The 2017 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 366,282 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 789 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 13, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS19V7010002019-10-03366,282 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
158
14crashes14injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
103
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
101
2crashes1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
96
6crashes2injuries
ENGINE
46
4crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
41
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
33
18crashes7injuries
SEATS
31
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
25
STEERING
24
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints789
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The shift guide plate in my 2017 subaru forester failed, causing the ignition key to become stuck and not release when the engine is off. The component is available for inspection upon request. The failure was confirmed by a subaru dealer, who diagnosed the defective shift guide plate and provided…”
“The passenger airbag occupant detection system (ods) has failed on my 2017 subaru forester (vin: [xxx]) at 78,255 miles. This failure completely deactivates the front passenger airbag, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard for any front-seat passenger. This vehicle previously had federal…”
“I own a 2017 subaru forester with approximately 55,324 miles. The vehicle has experienced repeated rear wheel bearing failures at relatively low mileage. On october 1, 2024, at 48,877 miles, the passenger-side rear wheel hub assembly, including the wheel bearing, was replaced by a subaru…”
“Had recall completed for passenger airbag prior now srs airbag on since 6/7/2026 per dealer code b1650 & b1760 as history codes. States found passenger side airbag sensor has erratic operation, recommended replacing seat bottom with integrated sensor for $2015 at spreen subaru of san bernardino.…”
“Had recall completed for passenger airbag prior now srs airbag on since 6/7/2026 per dealer code b1650 & b1760 as history codes. States found passenger side airbag sensor has erratic operation, recommended replacing seat bottom with integrated sensor for $2015 at spreen subaru of san bernardino.…”
“My 2017 had the passenger airbag sensor recall in 2020. It went into for repair. It began going off again where the passenger seat airbag is off when a passenger is in the seat in 2023 on and off. It consistently began going off again in august 2024. I spoke to subaru corporate and they said they…”
“My windshield cracked significantly after shutting the passenger side door. I chalked that up to maybe a possible chip was put under stress, until a few months later, my driver's side window burst spontaneously right in front of my eyes as I was shutting the trunk door. The pieces went half inside…”
“2017 subaru forester with 40,000 miles, rear wheel bearings and plate are bad. $2100.00 to fix. Seems a little early in mileage for such an expensive repair. I have read about bad rear wheel bearings and plate from several people.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE19009 Opened 2019-08-06 · closed 2020-01-22
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a…
InvestigationPE19009 Opened 2019-08-06 · closed 2020-01-22
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a…
InvestigationPE19009 Opened 2019-08-06 · closed 2020-01-22
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a…
InvestigationPE19009 Opened 2019-08-06 · closed 2020-01-22
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2017 Subaru Forester as of
July 13, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.