B1760 Occupant detection system sensor mat abnormal (Subaru)

Passenger seat occupant detection sensor mat fault

B1760 in short

On Subaru, B1760 means the occupant detection sensor mat in the front passenger seat is reporting a fault. The airbag light comes on and the passenger airbag may not be managed correctly. Subaru's bulletins cover moisture, the sensor harness and the seat cushion. Have a dealer check it soon and never probe airbag wiring yourself.

Subaru's occupant detection system (ODS) uses a sensor mat inside the front passenger seat cushion to tell the airbag computer who, or what, is in the seat. B1760 means that mat is reporting something abnormal, so the airbag light comes on.

Subaru has several bulletins for it. 07-108-16 and 07-108-16R give a diagnosis procedure on 2014–2016 Foresters and say liquid, rain or high humidity can set it; 07-134-18 gives a new chart for 2012–2016 Impreza and 2017–2018 WRX to avoid replacing seat cushions that are not faulty. In 2024, with cushions in short supply, Subaru's 17-19-24 told dealers to use the WUM-98 sensor harness kit instead of a new cushion on 2014–2018 Foresters.

Recall WUM-98 (19V-701) replaces the sensor harness on 2015–2018 Foresters with heated seats because its connection may loosen and switch the passenger airbag off. The recall does not name B1760, but a dealer should check whether it applies.

Pick your make

B1760 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Loose or faulty occupant detection sensor harness connection

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Subaru's 17-19-24 bulletin repairs B1760 on 2014–2018 Foresters with the WUM-98 sensor harness kit instead of a new seat cushion.
    What would change this
    Rises on a Forester covered by recall WUM-98. Falls if the harness has already been replaced and the code returns.

  2. Sensor mat or passenger seat cushion assembly faulty

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Subaru's bulletins diagnose the sensor mat for B1760, and owners report dealers stating the passenger sensor mat was not working and replacing the seat bottom.
    What would change this
    Rises if Subaru's chart faults the mat after the harness checks out. Falls if a harness repair clears the code.

  3. Liquid, rain or high humidity reaching the sensor mat

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Subaru's bulletin summary names liquid, rain or high humidity as a way B1760 can set.
    What would change this
    Rises if the seat was wet before the light came on. Falls if the seat was dry.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Have the airbag codes read with a scan tool that can talk to the airbag module, and note every code stored.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with airbag (SRS) access

    • IfB1760 is stored, with or without B1650

      It meansSubaru links these to the passenger seat sensor mat.

      Go to step 2

    • IfOther airbag codes are stored as well

      It meansA technician should work through them in the order the service manual gives.

      Go to step 4

  2. Give your VIN to a Subaru dealer and ask whether recall WUM-98 or bulletins 07-108-16R, 07-134-18 or 17-19-24 cover the car.

    Low risk

    • IfThe recall or a bulletin applies

      It meansThe dealer repairs it under that procedure.

      Go to step 4

    • IfNothing applies

      It meansRule out moisture on the seat first.

      Go to step 3

  3. Dry any liquid on the passenger seat and remove anything on or under it, then see whether the airbag light still comes on after the next restart.

    Low risk

  4. Have a dealer or trained technician run the airbag system diagnosis from the service manual.

    Best left to a shopTool: maker's diagnostic tool

    Warning:Never probe airbag connectors or wiring with a test light or meter, and never unplug them yourself. Nissan warns that airbags and pretensioners can still deploy after the ignition is off, and that test equipment must not be used on airbag circuits unless the service manual calls for it. Leave this to a dealer or trained technician.

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning light stays on after the engine starts
  • Passenger airbag status light shows the airbag off with an adult in the seat

How to fix

This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.

Parts and cost context

  • Passenger seat occupant detection sensor harness (WUM 98 kit):Subaru uses this kit instead of a new cushion on 2014–2018 Foresters; recall coverage may apply. Dealer work. Labour varies; get a quote.
  • Front passenger seat cushion with sensor mat:Subaru's newer chart is designed to avoid replacing cushions that are not faulty. Dealer work. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Subaru

  • 2014–2018 · Forester

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru's bulletins cover B1760 on these Foresters, and 17-19-24 repairs it with the WUM-98 sensor harness kit. Whether the bulletins are still current is not verified.

  • 2015–2018 · Forester

    Possible — needs testing

    Recall 19V-701 (WUM-98) for Foresters with heated seats replaces the occupant sensor harness. It does not name B1760, so treat it as something to check, not a confirmed cause.

  • 2012–2016 · Impreza

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru's 07-134-18 gives a new B1760 chart for these years. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2017–2018 · WRX

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru's 07-134-18 gives a new B1760 chart. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 07-108-16Status unverified

    ODS diagnosis for B1760 sensor mat abnormal

    2014–2016forester · issued · NHTSA 10140503

    Diagnosis procedure for B1760; liquid, rain or high humidity can set it.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 07-108-16RStatus unverified

    ODS diagnosis for B1760 and/or B1650

    2014–2016forester · issued · NHTSA 10117531

    Revised diagnosis procedure for B1760 (sensor mat abnormal) and B1650.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 07-134-18Status unverified

    New B1760 troubleshooting chart

    2012–2018impreza, wrx · issued · NHTSA 10133520

    New chart for B1760 to avoid unneeded sensor/seat cushion replacement.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 17-19-24Status unverified

    B1760 repair while seat cushion supply is limited

    2014–2018forester · issued · NHTSA 10252544

    Diagnosis and repair of B1760 using the sensor harness kit while passenger seat cushions are in short supply.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • B1650Occupant detection/classification system malfunction (Subaru, Toyota)

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru diagnoses B1760 together with B1650 (occupant classification system malfunction).

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B1760 questions

Does B1760 mean I need a new passenger seat cushion?

Not always. Subaru's newer chart is meant to avoid unneeded cushion replacement, and on 2014–2018 Foresters Subaru repairs it with a sensor harness kit. Ask the dealer about recall WUM-98 first.

Sources and review

  1. 2023 Accord Owner's Manual: Airbag System Indicators — American Honda Motor Co.
  2. Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  3. Subaru 07-108-16R: ODS diagnosis for DTC B1760 (sensor mat abnormal) and/or B1650 (occupant classification system malfunction) — Subaru of America ,
  4. Subaru 17-19-24: DTC B1760 diagnosis and repair while passenger seat cushion supply is limited — Subaru of America ,
  5. Subaru 07-134-18: new troubleshooting chart for ODS DTC B1760 — Subaru of America ,
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 11443895 (2015 Subaru Forester) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  7. NHTSA complaint ODI 11748930 (2017 Subaru Forester) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  8. NHTSA complaint ODI 11265760 (2016 Subaru Forester) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  9. Subaru 07-108-16: ODS diagnosis for DTC B1760 sensor mat abnormal — Subaru of America ,
  10. Recall 19V-701 (Subaru WUM-98): 2015-2018 Forester passenger occupant detection sensor harness — Subaru of America ,
  11. Nissan Supplemental Restraint Systems: damage analysis and repair using Diagnostic Trouble Codes (TechNews, Summer 2016) — Nissan North America ,
  12. NHTSA complaint ODI 11278887 (2013 Subaru Impreza) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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