Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% | 1,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% | 13,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% | 49,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% | 73,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% | 86,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% | 29,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 154,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 76,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% | 27,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The airbag system has a sensor issue and I keep getting warnings from Subaru to get it fixed because it affects the seatbelts. The garage where I take my car says they are unable to get the part needed for the passenger sensor. And, Subaru says they need to replace the whole harness for $6000. Makes me wonder why a safety issue like this one seen in other Subaru's have been recalled but not my model... Also the start stop feature drains the battery excessively. I have had to replace the battery twice in less than a year. I push the button to stop this feature the minute I get into the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated the rear passengers seat belts were difficult to buckle securely. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kenny ross Subaru (11299 Lincoln hwy, north huntingdon, pa 15642, [phone]) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at 55 mph, the vehicle spun a couple of times, then crashed into the median wall. The median wall brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact's driver's side seatbelt did not lock the contact into her seat during impact, which caused injuries to the contact's right arm, wrist, and hand. No air bags deployed upon impact. The contact and passenger were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The passenger sustained injuries to her left foot and bruising to her chest from the passenger side seatbelt, locking her into her seat during impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and remained at the dealer, awaiting steering parts and cosmetic repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an inspector to investigate. …
There was a front-end collision into a stone wall. It appears the driver seatbelt failed and ripped upon impact. The driver died as a result of injuries sustained. There was a front passenger in the vehicle as well who was belted. The seatbelt for the front passenger worked correctly. That passenger had serious injuries but survived the collision. This fatal collision was investigated by Hillsborough, NJ Police, case # [redacted].
The contact's mother owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt warning light failed to illuminate and alert the passenger to fasten the seat belt. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that a credit towards the repair would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
THE ODS is not properly determining the status of the right front seat occupant. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the front passenger airbag is deactivated even with a person sitting in the passenger seat. The ODS is also unable to determine if someone is in the seat and triggers the seatbelt alert when anything (even a purse) is on the seat. This exact issue was part of a Subaru recall WUM-98R, for 2015-2018 Subaru Foresters produced between January 20, 2015 - August 01, 2017. Subaru is claiming my vehicle doesn't qualify as it was not part of the recall even though I having the same issues as the recall and I own a 2018 Subaru Forester. Furthermore, as listed in the recall if a vehicle is part of the recall and is brought in for inspection "The part identification label affixed to the yellow sensor mat wiring harness is the focus of this inspection. …
There was a recall on this vehicle from 2022, and we did not own this vehicle at that time. Recall passenger side airbag contact under seat can cause fire or electrical issues. I contacted Subaru and they said the recall was satisfied in 2022. If that's the case, the repair piece must have been faulty as the issue has come back. The dealership I took the car to said they have seen about 4 of this same issue within the last two weeks. Subaru is unwilling to assist in this, and I cannot pay the 1800.00 dollars the dealership wants to repair this vehicle. I've asked more questions of Subaru since their answer and have not received a response. I would like to know why their website says this was complete July 15, 2025, not 2022. It was not complete in 2025, or we would have had the repair done. …
Passenger air bag light on dash coming on, started off dinging even with no one sitting in the passenger seat. Now the Air bag light stays on constantly. I was told by the Subaru dealership near me that they found a B1650 in the system for occupant detection malfunction. Tested the seat with a human and the scan tool and they found the sensor is not picking anything up. The mechanic told me the seat appeared to be wet, which it was not and has never had water damage. The vehicle is garage kept and has low mileage so minimal exposure. The dealership told me I would have to pay $160 for diagnostic and $1200 before tax to have the seat base replaced. I know there was a recall for the passenger air bag in the past which I did take into the same dealership who says the replaced the defective part. I feel the Subaru company should stand behind their product and correct this issue. …
Related recalls (3)
Seat belts
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 forester vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2007, through March 13, 2012. The automatic locking retractor in the seat belt assemblies located in the rear center seating of the affected vehicles do not meet lockability requirements and fail to comply with federal motor…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a newly modified automatic locking retractor, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on March 26, 2012.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies were improperly manufactured.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies. Owner notification began February 19, 2003.
NHTSA investigations
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi has one complaint alleging the passenger's side safety belt anchorage, located between the seat and center console, became detached while driving.in addition, the owner inspected the driver's side safety belt anchorage and found that the bolt was partially backed-out.the complaint vehicle was equipped with leather seat covers and heated front seats.because of these options, the front seat belts were installed by…
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (10), 2018 (10), 2014 (9), 2015 (9) and 2011 (7) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester seat belt problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 22V-838 (seat belts, Nov 10, 2022); 12V-099 (rear/other, Mar 13, 2012); 03V-047 (buckle assembly, Feb 20, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (5 mentions), followed by the rear/other (3).
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.