Front Air Bag Sensor Control problems of the 2014 Subaru Impreza

The passenger seat occupancy sensor continually malfunctions and turns off the airbag while a front passenger is in place. This is the same issue for which a NHTSA recall was placed on 2013 Subaru Imprezas, so the problem is not limited to only that one model year. In fact, this appears to be common across all Subarus' electrostatic capacitance sensor. This recall must be expanded for the protection of passengers in these cars.

My front seat passenger airbag turns off sometimes even when I have passengers sitting there. I took the car to carmax, where I purchased it and they said the seat sensor was malfunctioning due to a wet seat. The seat was not wet to my touch and no liquid had soaked it. Since then, the airbag has continued to turn off with a passenger in the seat when driving. This has happened more than 5 times in a 6 months timespan. I have a video documenting one of the times this has happened.

Passenger airbag sensor deactivates with passenger in seat. Has occurred during in-town and highway driving. Does not always correct when vehicle has been stopped, restarted, etc. Dealership suggested telling passengers to refrain from cellphone/tech use in the passenger seat, as if that is a solution.

We have noticed that the airbag sensor light will come on at random times while we are driving. We noticed this issue soon after our lease began, in early 2014. We have been unable to establish if there is a pattern or reason that the light goes on. Once the light comes on, it does not go off until the engine is turned off. Initially, this happened maybe once a week or so, but we have noticed that lately it happens more frequently. We have discussed this problem with our local Subaru dealer (wayne NJ Subaru). Although we brought the problem to their attention, they never advised us that there had been a recall for this exact issue with previous year Imprezas. It was only when we researched this problem on-line that we discovered that there was in fact a recall for this exact same issue, with earlier year Imprezas. The dealer has told us that it would cost approximately $1,000. 00 to have the problem fixed, as it involves replacing the seat. This car is a lease. We do not feel that we should have to pay for a repair of something that is a widespread problem among Subaru Imprezas. We feel that our car should be repaired under this recall. Needless to say, this problem is alarming, as we are concerned about whether the air bag would function properly if the car was involved in an accident. Please advise how we can resolve this issue.

The passenger occupancy sensor is faulty and it causes the passenger air bag to be disabled when a person is sitting in the seat. Often, if the person is sweating or if any part of their clothing is moist the air bag will be disabled. I had it fixed under warranty and it never really did much. The problem persists. Sometimes the person can be totally dry and it will still be disabled. There was a recall of this exact problem in previous years and models, and it is plain to see that the same issue exists for the 2014 Impreza. Just have a look at the number of complaints. It is criminal (literally) that a recall has not been issued.

I am presently traveling 60mph on the freeway. I am sitting in the passenger seat. The passenger airbag off light is on. I can only assume this has to do with my bottom being slightly damp after snow sports. I assume this because the previous times that this happened and I took it to the dealership in aurora colorado I was told "the sensor will turn the airbag off if there is any moisture on the seat or if electronics are set on or near the seat. I was told not to do those things. I cannot see how this can be considered safe.

Sensor for the air bags isn't working right. It turns the passenger air bag off when people much heavier than 80 pounds are in the front seat. When no one is in the seat, sometimes the passenger air bag comes on. This happens both in park and when I am driving.