B1650 on Subaru

Occupant detection/classification system malfunction (Subaru, Toyota)

Severity: Inspect soon

The airbag light means the system has found a fault, and Honda and Toyota owner's manuals say to have it checked promptly because the airbags may not work as designed. Subaru and Toyota tie B1650 to the system that decides whether the passenger airbag deploys.

Safety-critical system: explanation only, no DIY steps. Source: how we rate severity

This page covers only what differs on Subaru. For what B1650 means, the ranked causes and the test order, see the B1650 guide.

What's different on Subaru

Subaru

2014–2016 · Forester
Supported by vehicle data
Subaru's bulletin covers B1650 with B1760 on these Foresters. Separately, recall WUM-98 (19V-701) replaces the sensor mat harness on 2015–2018 Foresters with heated seats; it does not name B1650, so ask the dealer to check it. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2015–2018 · Forester
Possible — needs testing
Recall 19V-701 (WUM-98) for Foresters with heated seats: the passenger occupant sensor harness connection may loosen and switch the passenger airbag off. It does not name B1650, so treat it as something to check, not a confirmed cause.
2010–2014 · Outback
Supported by vehicle data
Subaru's 07-84-14R gives a revised B1650 chart and ODS rezeroing. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2010–2014 · Legacy
Supported by vehicle data
Subaru's 07-84-14R gives a revised B1650 chart and ODS rezeroing. Whether it is still current is not verified.

07-108-16RStatus unverified
ODS diagnosis for B1760 and/or B1650
2014–2016forester · issued June 26, 2017 · NHTSA 10117531
Diagnosis procedure for occupant detection system DTCs B1760 (sensor mat abnormal) and B1650 (occupant classification system malfunction).
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
07-84-14RStatus unverified
ODS rezeroing and revised B1650 chart
2010–2014legacy, outback · issued June 7, 2019 · NHTSA 10163000
Clearer ODS rezeroing (calibration) steps and a revised diagnostic chart for B1650 (ODS failure).
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Sources and review

Subaru 07-108-16R: ODS diagnosis for DTC B1760 (sensor mat abnormal) and/or B1650 (occupant classification system malfunction) — Subaru of America , June 26, 2017
NHTSA complaint ODI 11265760 (2016 Subaru Forester) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA complaint ODI 11184937 (2017 Subaru Forester) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Recall 19V-701 (Subaru WUM-98): 2015-2018 Forester passenger occupant detection sensor harness — Subaru of America , October 3, 2019
Subaru 07-84-14R: ODS rezeroing procedure and revised diagnostic chart for DTC B1650 (ODS failure) — Subaru of America , June 7, 2019
2023 Accord Owner's Manual: Airbag System Indicators — American Honda Motor Co.
Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

What's different on Subaru

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Sources and review

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