Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% | 47,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 29 | 6% | 14,000 miles |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% | 49,000 miles |
| 2015 | 22 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% | 85,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 76 | 29% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% | 69,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% | 91,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% | 73,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | 15,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The front passenger seat and the seat belt attached to that seat suddenly started making creaking noises as if the seatbelt or the seat itself are not properly secured whenever a passenger is sitting and seatbelt fastened while the vehicle is moving (no noise exists when the seat is empty). The noise is loudest and most prevalent when the weight of the passenger is lower, when outside temperature is cooler, when the vehicle is driven on roads that are not smooth, when the vehicle breaks and is going uphill. The vehicle has not been in any accidents and the noise appeared suddenly without any warning lights or any indications. the vehicle was bought brand new about a year ago and has just under 5000 miles. Since the noise first appeared it has been regularly occurring. …
Driver and passenger seats are collapsing to the point we are sinking into the seats unevenly and we can feel the hardware in the seats. We have bells that ding intermittently while driving. The dealership stated this is due to the airbag sensors located in the seats. Both seat manufacturer covers are splitting extensively. Due to the defective breakdown/collapsing seats the airbag timing in an accident and deployment in an accident can be affected and/or the airbags could spontaneously deploy. The passenger seat foam and cover was replaced once, vin specific, and is collapsing worse than before. Subaru of America will not acknowledge this defect as it is very expensive and will likely not be a lasting fix as it has happened previously. The seat quality is defective and poses a serious danger to occupants.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 35-38 MPH in cold weather, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle temperature was cold. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the Forward Collision Avoidance system, the Lane Keep Assist, the Auto START/STOP feature, the cruise control mode, and other unknown features no longer operable messages were displayed. Additionally, the vehicle shifted into Sport (S) mode. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the thermal control valve needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there was an inch-long slice like cut in the front passenger's seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via mail. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
I bought a 2020 Subaru in March of 2020. I had reported an issue with the seat to the dealer Orange Coast Subaru and they had failed to diagnose or repair the issue. The issue was brought up to them several times and they only came to the car and looked quickly at the seat and told me it is fine without any in debt diagnostics. Looking and sitting in a seat wasn't in any shape or form diagnostics of the seat. Nobody looked under the seat or did a inspection beyond just looking and seating on it. Over the years the seat became woobly, unstable, it has cracked. I went for another issue to another dealer this time, Timmons of Long Beach, and paid a diagnostics fee to be told the frame needs to be replaced and it is a safety issue and has to be done asap. I had reached out to Subaru who advised the car is out of warranty. …
1) The seat is cracking on the drivers seat. The vehicle only has 64,000 miles on it. No word from Subaru. 2) Parking collision warning system works part of the time. Dangerous when the system does not detect a person or vehicle in the blind spot.
Primarily driver's seat is not comfortable. Back pain starts already after 30 min drive, get legs cramps when you step out of the car. Seat configuration does not allow to adjust it for comfortable seating position due to poor design. Forester 2019 has the most adjustable seats from all Subaru line, but looks like worse configuration overall. All existing adjustments still do not allow to seat comfortably even for a pretty short period of time. If you try to support the bottom part of the back, then upper part is not touching the seat and in case of rear accident injury chances are higher than average. If you adjust to support upper part, then lower part does not have any support and back hurts already after 5-10 min drive.
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.
My 2018 Subaru Forester should be included in a recall and subaru is denying that this recall exists. My SRS air bag light is on. The dealership wants to charge $1216.73 to replace the passenger side seat occupant detection sensor mat Information from https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/SUBARU/FORESTER/SUV/AWD#recalls October 3, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 Occupant Detection System May Deactivate Airbag 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. NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 Manufacturer Subaru of America, Inc. Components AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected 366,282 Summary Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (76), 2017 (34), 2018 (29), 2016 (23) and 2015 (22) model years. Seat complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for any Subaru Forester model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (3 mentions), followed by the front assembly › head restraint (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.