About this problem
The front passenger seat has a weight sensor, called an occupant classification sensor, that tells the car whether an adult, a child or nobody is sitting there. The car uses it to decide whether the passenger air bag should fire in a crash. When the sensor or its wiring fails, the "passenger air bag off" light can come on with an adult in the seat, which means the air bag might not deploy when it should.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Subaru Impreza since 2012, 215 (15.6%) describe passenger air bag sensor and light, making it the most reported problem we track on the Impreza. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2014 model years, and the 2012 drew the most, with 91. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 19,000 and 70,000 miles. 4 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. One recall is related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Owners of 2012 to 2014 Imprezas report the passenger air bag light coming on or the passenger air bag switching off with an adult in the seat. The cause is the seat's occupant sensor.
How it gets fixed
The fix is replacing or recalibrating the occupant sensor, and Subaru extended coverage on some cars.
Typical cost: A sensor repair costs about $300 to $700.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Airbag fail, drivers side and passenger side. In november of 2016 the icon indicating "passenger airbag fail" starting coming on every time I picked up my son from school on a rainy day or after sports practice. He was not wet, just damp or hot."
2014 Subaru Impreza, 39,000 miles
"I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in august 2016. Over the last year, I've noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat."
2013 Subaru Impreza, 66,895 miles
"Falsification of recall service work performed for recall wqt-55 that is related to the air bag not deploying based on an issue w/ the occupant detection system. Waldorf Subaru states they performed that they didn't do."
2012 Subaru Impreza, 60,662 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Subaru of America, Inc.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Subaru has sent dealers 6 bulletins that mention this problem on the Impreza. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
A design improvement has been made to the warning box assembly for improved responsiveness.
This Service Information bulletin provides a new troubleshooting chart to use when diagnosing a DTC B1760 related to the Occupant Detection System (ODS).
Subaru OF AMERICA, INC.
Subject: update Subaru recall campaign: wqt]55 occupant detection system as previously announced, Subaru of america, inc.
Government investigations
Preliminary evaluation PE15012 · 2012 · opened Apr 2015, closed Jul 2015
Before you buy a Impreza
- Sit an adult in the passenger seat and check the passenger air bag 'off' light goes out.
- Watch that the air bag warning light goes out after start.
- Check by VIN for open air bag recalls.
Questions
Which Subaru Impreza years have passenger air bag sensor and light?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2014 model years. The 2012 drew the most, with 91 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 41,000 miles, and half reported it between 19,000 and 70,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A sensor repair costs about $300 to $700.