Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a vehicle coming from oncoming traffic was attempting to make a left, causing the contact to crash into that oncoming vehicle. The contact mentioned that during the impact, the front passenger side wheel was pushed into the radiator. The contact spouse sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact was taken to the local emergency room. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the knee air bags were deployed during the incident, which caused the contact to be injured. The contact sustained an upper chest injury and contusions to both of their legs, and the contact's left leg was also burned. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, went over a cement post, onto a sidewalk pavement, and crashed into a condo building. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact did not recall whether the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was informed by the emergency units who examined her at the scene that she had sustained high blood pressure. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop where it was repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing, the Back Over Prevention screen failed to display an image. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds, the front passenger's side seat belt and air bag warning lights would illuminate without an occupant seated in the seat. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 72,500.v
September 6,2018 the vehicle suddenly unintentionally accelerated. Came off the highway.Pulled in to a parking lot to turn around. Reaching for the shifter with my foot on the brake. The vehicle went 42mph in less than four feet, a woman was directly in the front center of vehicle when a loud roar happened. The woman jumped out of the way. As the 2014 Subaru Forester shot forward hitting a suburban and then bounced off a fence to stop in the road next to us. Had to fight to get towed to Gresham Subaru. Pulled dtcs and box information.Subaru denies SUA, has a recall on BLS. No airbag deployed, brakes did not work. Skid marks and chunks of tires.
While I was driving to work, with Cruise control set at 65, I hit a deer head on. All airbags deployed and engine ceased and I was able to brake car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Within minutes, the engine erupted in fire and thankfully I wasn't trapped inside and was able to get out, because by the time I got 4-500 feet from the car, it had been totally engulfed in flames. From the time I hit the deer to the fire starting was less than 10 minutes. Fire truck wasn't even on scene yet and I was still speaking with highway patrol on the phone. If I had been trapped or the vehicle had rolled i wouldn't be here today. It was that quick.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed that the ODS (Occupant Detection System) was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger's seat air bag sensor failed to recognize a passenger seated in the passenger's seat. The air bag off message remained off while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
My 2014 Subaru Forester has a defective passenger weight sensor in the passenger seat. This sensor has been subject to recall for the 2015-2018 model years. [redacted] Shouldn't that be extended to the 2014 model year? It appears to be the same problem and is widely reported online. 1. The airbag is set to not deploy when the weight sensor is not talking to the control computer. A clear safety hazard. 2. The Servco Subaru dealer confirmed it wasn't working and wants over $1k to repair it. 3. Not confirmed by any other entity. 4. There is a warning icon that appears in the display. Note that it may operate and then stop working, only to cycle through both states again. Thanks for looking into this. I'm hoping you will help all of the Subaru forester owners with this issue before any lives are lost. …
Front passenger seat air bag sensor, front passenger seat occupancy sensor, front passenger seat airbag computer, red air bag warning light, yellow passenger airbag "on/off" light, seat belt warning and chime. Air bag disabled warning intermittently comes on. Specifically, air bag warning (red) light occurs and yellow pass airbag active light will indicate passenger air bag inactive/off. Sometimes for days, then Ok-whether passenger seat is occupied or not. Sometimes moving the seat up and back will reset this warning. When front pass seat empty or with weight as light as 2 pounds on the seat, seat belt warning light and chime comes on when speed exceeds 5 mph. Sometimes this alarm can be reset by sharply striking seat, sometimes not, and trip must be completed with the seat belt buckled. The seat belt issue and airbag light has been happening for about 2 years, getting more frequent. …
About a year ago the passenger airbag warning light came on. Took it to the dealer who stated the passenger seat occupant detection sensor was malfunctioning. I was also told this meant the passenger airbags would not deploy in an accident. The dealer stated the replacement part was on back order and they could not get it. It has been 11 months and they have not gotten the part. Additionally this part has been recalled on the 2015-2018 models with heated seats due to the heated seats causing the malfunction. I have the 2014 model with the exact same heated seats and sensor and it was not included in the recall. For 11 months I have not been able to use the passenger seat for fear anyone in the passenger seat could be seriously hurt or killed due to the airbags not deploying. …
Airbag complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Subaru Forester, 14% of the model year's 403 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Subaru Forester airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2014 Subaru Forester, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Forester airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.