general problems of the 2016 Subaru Forester - part 2

In March 2020, I took my 2016 Subaru Forester to the dealership to fix the issues associated with the Subaru safety recall wum-98 / NHTSA recall 19v-701 (unstable electrical connections causing issues with the occupant detection system in determining the correct status of the right front seat occupant, which would prevent the front passenger-side airbag from deploying in the event of a crash). Service was performed and the ods harness was replaced. In August of 2021, I took my Forester back into the Subaru dealership (where previous service was performed) because the “airbag warning” light and the “passenger airbag off” indicator began to illuminate, however this occurred somewhat inconsistently. Sometimes both warning lights illuminate when someone sits in the front passenger seat, sometimes they do not illuminate at all and everything seems fine. Other times, the lights illuminate when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat. Additionally, sometimes the seatbelt alarm sounds when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat. However, this is also inconsistent. In August 2021, the Subaru dealership told me that the issue is likely caused by water damage (a spill) on the front passenger seat that has caused the sensors within the seat to malfunction. I told them that I did not recall spilling any liquids on the front passenger seat. Now the dealership is telling me to replace the passenger seat bottom assembly sensor for $1,211 usd.

While returning home from a trip in our 2016 Subaru Forester the driver’s side airbag warning light remained on; additionally, a srs warning appeared briefly on the screen indicating that the airbag/seatbelt safety system could not be relied upon. This all occurred after restarting the Forester following a brief rest stop. Adhering to the Subaru owner’s manual guidance we went to our hendricks southpoint dealership. The dealership scheduled an appointment for one week later. The occurrence of this problem without a timely resolution by Subaru creates a unnecessary safety situation for owners.

The recall on the occupant detection system was performed in 2019, but the passenger srs light still lights up intermittently with no obvious indication of what is causing it. Sometimes the front passenger seat has no one in it, sometimes it appears as soon as someone sits in it, sometimes after it has been occupied for some time, and sometimes I can complete a long trip with the light never appearing. The seat has never been soaked and the diagnostic fee alone is $200. All indications are that only replacing the entire seat at a cost of over $1500 will remedy the situation.

Problem: recall for passenger side airbag malfunction in heated seats for my model year. Manufacturer has said they addressed the recall but they have not. My car and thousands of others are unsafe for passengers to ride in because the airbag system does not work. Warning light is the airbag symbol and message that alerts driver that srs system is not working. Manufacturer and dealers want to charge $200 to look problem over and then tell you its off warranty. My car has 96000 miles and this has been a problem since they “did the recall”. Subaru tells owners that passenger should ride in back seat. How does that work with two car seats. Subaru needs to take responsibility for their engineering design and fix this safety defect. These cars are death traps.

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA recall number19v701000 (air bags). The vehicle was not taken to the manufacturer for repair. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded an reasonable amount of time to complete the repair. Bh.

On October 2nd 2019 I was traveling on the express way at highway speeds when I was involved in an accident. Damages to my car were so bad that the claims department deemed it as a total loss. The front of my car was completely smashed in. Neither of my airbags deployed. I always thought that Subarus were supposed to be safe so this is very disappointing. I'm not sure where to go from here about this but it is scary that this happened.

Passanger airbag is off no matter if someone is sitting in the seat and will not turn back on. This happens if it is sitting still or moving so not safe for passangers.

Intermittent dash light saying the passenger seat belt and air bag is turned off with passenger in the seat and when car is being driven. Comes on in city and highway driving both. .

I purchased this vehicle early 2016, currently under 40k miles. The side passenger airbag warning suddenly came on stating the srs system needs checked. The warning comes and disappears sporadically. I tried wiggling and tightening the connection underneath the seat and the light was gone for over a month but it came back again.

Tl- the contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the srs light illuminated. The contact called the flatirons Subaru dealer (877-464-2714, located at 5995 arapahoe Ave, boulder, CO 80303) and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle checked. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. Fe.

The car has had intermittent srs errors starting shortly after buying the car in summer of 2016. We have had it checked out and nothing was ever found. There does not appear to be any consistancy as to when the "srs airbag system needs to be checked" message appears. Sometimes weeks go by with no errors. Sometimes it will go on and not appear the next time the car is started. My concern is the srs airbag system is not function when needed. I am listing the most recent date this has happened below but as stated it has been intermittent for years.

Took suburu in for 30,000 mile check a couple of months ago. Told dealership that the passenger airbag was inactivated (caution light on) while my wife sat in the seat. Dealer said "it probably got wet". I told dealer rep we always garage our cars and we haven't spilled anything on the seat. They told us it would cost over $1000 to fix it. As we left they said the caution light went out, but it was on again before we got home (about 40 miles). At this time the caution light stays on almost continually. Seems like a safety/recall issue to me.

The vehicle constantly shows a warning that passenger seat air bag is off while I am sitting in the car riding in that passenger seat. The issue was brought to manufacturer attention multiple times. Videos and pictures of the issue have been recorded for years. The manufacturer refuses to fix the issue and continues to ignore it which places my life at risk every time I drive in that passenger seat of the vehicle.

Keep getting message "srs airbag system needs to be checked" while driving. The passenger airbag turns off when message displays. When the message comes up, it will stay for a few hours to a few days. My passenger is left without protection in case of an accident.

My accident involved hitting a tree head-on traveling at least 10-15 mph. I would have thought at least 3 airbags would have deployed (side curtain, steering, and dash for knees) preventing me from hitting my head.

Front end total collision traveling approximately 30mph on a residential section of a main street. Hit, and broke, a telephone pole. Car deemed totaled. No airbags deployed.

Passenger detection system to turn on airbag has been intermittent since shortly after purchasing. Will turn off passenger air bag with an adult present in the seat, or not turn it on initially. Now it is almost always off at some point in a driving experience. Several attempts to get it checked out were made but required too long and no loaner was available. After getting a second car, it was taken to the dealer where it was purchased be tested October 2, 2018 and parts were ordered. When I tried to find when the part may come in after about 2 weeks, no information was available. The system acknowledges the presence of a passenger because it gives a warning on the display that it needs service but it leaves airbag off anyway. I believe it has been too long waiting for parts for a safety system problem. This has obviously been a known issue for several model years according to complaints to NHTSA and on Subaru owner's forums.