17 Front Passenger SRS Frontal Airbag (ODS) Indicator Light Information (SUSTIPS 0811-03)

17 FRONT PASSENGER SRS FRONTAL AIRBAG (ODS) INDICATOR LIGHT INFORMATION

TECHNICAL INFORMATION TIP

SERVICE INFORMATION

Occasionally, smaller adults may have a concern that the passenger frontal airbag in their Subaru will not activate when they sit in the passenger seat (the OFF indicator on the dashboard illuminates or the indicator goes back and forth from OFF to ON). The following can be used as talking points when responding to a customer with this complaint.

REMEMBER:  Additional information is available in the Owner's Manual:

1. All 2006 MY and later Subaru vehicles come with an advanced frontal airbag system that complies with the new advanced frontal airbag requirements in the amended Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208.
2. Unquestionably, airbags have proven to be effective in preventing injuries and saving lives. But, due to the force with which they must deploy, airbags have the potential to cause injuries to children and small adults. With this in mind, the front passenger SRS frontal airbag system is equipped with a feature that is designed to deactivate the passenger's front seat airbag when that seat is occupied by a child or a small adult.
3. This type of passenger SRS system is widely used in the automotive industry.
4. The total load on the passenger seat is monitored by an occupant detection system weight sensor under the seat. This sensor (along with the seatbelt tension sensor) determines whether the front passenger's SRS frontal airbag should or should not be inflated.
5. When a child who has outgrown a child restraint system or a small adult is seated in the front passenger's seat, the Subaru advanced frontal airbag system may or may not activate the passenger frontal airbag depending on the occupant's weight or seating posture.
6. If the OFF indicator is illuminated and the seat is occupied by an adult, the system may be operating as designed. Owners can consult the Owner's Manual for a list of actions that can be taken to check they are using the system properly: set the seatback to the upright position, sit up straight in the center of the seat cushion, correctly fasten the seat belt, position legs out forward and adjust the seat to the rearmost position. An additional checklist can be found in the Owner's Manual. A Subaru dealer can also provide an inspection of the system.