Follow us today...
Subaru can’t seem to catch any breaks and is stung with a new lawsuit over 2015-2018 Subaru Forester models. The lawsuit alleges the compact SUV has a defective passenger-side airbag sensor that can put the passenger at risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.
Torque News reported this problem in August when the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) a division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating the 2016-2018 Subaru Forester compact SUV. Over 500,000 fourth-generation Forester models were being looked at.
2018 Subaru Forester
Torque News reported in October, Subaru Corporation issued a recall of 366,282 2015-2018 Subaru Forester U.S. models equipped with heated seats. In the recall report, The NHTSA said the Occupant Detection System (ODS) for the Subaru Forester front passenger-side airbag may malfunction causing the passenger side airbag to not operate as intended. Subaru told the NHTSA they have received 220 Forester passenger airbag complaints.
The new lawsuit filed by plaintiff Janelle Kassien, says she purchased a new 2018 Subaru Forester with this same passenger-side airbag defect and has tried to have the problem repaired by a dealer and they have not fixed the problem. The class-action lawsuit contends her Forester airbag sensor is still not working properly after repeated attempts by the Subaru dealer to fix it. She was charged $55.78 and told not to place any electronic items on the front passenger seat.
Are there any other complaints about this defect?
Kassien is represented by attorneys Michael Weinkowitz, Nicola Serianni, and Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman, a Philadelphia law firm. The NHTSA Office of Defects investigation reported they have received 51 complaints from customers, and the plaintiff in the lawsuit claims numerous other class members have experienced the passenger airbag indicator turning on and off while driving their vehicles even if there is not a passenger in the seat.
What should I do if I have this problem?
If you own a 2015-2018 Subaru Forester, you will be notified by Subaru about the recent recall which began on November 29, 2019. Subaru of America says they are waiting on parts that are on backorder and you will be contacted again once they are in. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98. Forester owners can also contact attorneys Levin Sedran & Berman here.
You Might Also Like: Another Huge Recall For Subaru Forester And Crosstrek is Coming
Denis Flierl has invested nearly 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates!
Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!
Photo credit: Subaru USA
Follow us today...
Comments
Having this problem with my
Permalink
Having this problem with my 2010 Forester. With a passenger in the seat it says the passenger airbag is off. With no passenger the seatbelt warning comes on or the dash airbag warning light is on. Dealer said it was probably the airbag sensor and said they don't see that problem often. Probably a $300-400 repair. This all showed up after they did the replacement of the recalled passenger side airbag. Said no connection (?).
Betting there will be no recall for me!
I am having this issue…
Permalink
In reply to Having this problem with my by William Safreed (not verified)
I am having this issue currently with a 2010 Subaru Forester. When no one / nothing is on the passenger seat it will beep and tell you to put on the seatbelt. If I start my car, and then someone sits down it will not turn on the air bag unless I restart the car with them in the seat. Took it to the dealer, they told me it wasn't a recall issue and they had to replace the ENTIRE seat for $2,000+. I see they have a recall going for the exact same issue but its 2015 and up? How does that work? I don't think this should be something we should have to fix as having a working air bag is a life saving device, but I guess if you're poor you aren't worth saving? I bought a Subaru because I heard they are the safest & most reliable but clearly that isn't the case. Any advice? I can't afford to buy an entire new seat...
Subaru needs to buy back any
Permalink
Subaru needs to buy back any effected vehicle that falls within the lemon law. It may cost them a billion dollar, but it will be far cheaper than going through another VW, fiasco. People think auto manufacturers have a printing machine in the back office. Americans want to kick all foreign manufacturers out of the county. We want to return to an issullationist country that got us involved in a couple of wars. We can be so closed minded.
I have a 2015 forester and
Permalink
I have a 2015 forester and having the same problem but dealer says their is no recall for my Vehicle and will cost me up to $2k to fix