Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello, this is the second 04 Subaru Forester I have owned that has a faulty solder airbag connection causing the airbag light to be on and likely disabling some or all of the airbag system. That is very high likelihood that most of these 03-04 vehicles are affected. Why is there not a recall to address this safety failure? Below is the documentation for the lack of response from Subaru of America. Attached is a pdf of the TSB for this issue. Hi [redacted], thank you for contacting Subaru of America. I appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance. I can confirm that I have documented the concerns you have related to your vehicle, including your request to have a recall issued concerning the problem described in TSB 17-07-04. Should you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us by replying to this email or calling us at [phone]. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 55mph the vehicle was involved in an accident. The air bags did not deploy. Although seatbelts were worn the two occupants sustained injuries. A police report was filed. As a result of the accident the vehicle was totaled.
Having seen the complaints from other users regarding the reliability of airbag deployment in this model vehicle. Relevant to let the proper authorities know of a rollover accident in which no airbags (nor front nor side) deployed with a resulting fatality.
Pulling into parking space. Had foot on brake. Approximate speed of car 10 MPH. Car accelerated on its own with my foot on brake. Looked down saw that gas pedal was to floor. Car accelerated into brick building. As quickly as it accelerated it stopped. Was able to reverse car into parking space. Hole in building damaging electricity for building. Entire building without electricity for entire day. Building has a 5' x 5' hole in wall and cracks doing up and down and around corner of building. Car was towed to repair shop since Subaru(Forester 2004) does not do repairs. Car was inspected by mechanic who said he could see no visible reason why gas pedal stuck. Frame of car in tack, estimated damage $3600. Car will be repaired and shipped to Subaru for inspection prior to repossession of car. Airbag did not engage during accident. …
The airbag light randomly goes on and off for periods of days at a time. This has been happening for many years. I brought it in to the Subaru dealer but they claimed it did not light up for them during their inspection. It then lit up for me on the way home and when I called the dealer from the road they would not look at it again until I made another appointment. Unfortunately I cannot assure that it will be on for them when they get the car. I later discovered that there was a Subaru technical service bulletin for this problem #17-07-04. They should have at least checked to see that this is a common problem. Further my mechanic said that when the light is on the air bags will not deploy upon impact.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised that one of the air bag plugs that was connected to the air bag wiring was not contacting. The contact was concerned with the possibility of being involved in a crash and the air bags potentially would not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated there was a technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer (NHTSA item number: 10015705: air bags) but there was not a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,500.
The air bag system will not function in the event of a collision due to an electrical connector malfunction. The connector is located under the driver's seat and is constantly stressed by seat movement or contact by the driver's feet. As a result, the air bag warning light is chronically but intermittently on. This has been a problem since first identified when this vehicle was approximately 1 year old. The repair of the connector was eventually ineffective. When the air bag warning light is on the air bags are inactive and will not deploy in the event of a collision.
The driver side front air bag light has lit up on the dashboard. It stays on every time I start the car and drive it. I have taken it to the local Subaru dealer in rochester, mn (clements). They say it will cost $3000 to install a brand new air bag system. I disagree. This is an inherent , serious safety flaw in the car. In my opinion, Subaru should fix it free of charge. I have not received any safety advisory from Subaru of America. Your guidance would be appreciated. [redacted]
For three years, there has been a problem with the airbags light staying illuminated. According to Subaru service, the airbags will not deploy if the light is illuminated. On the last visit to the dealer, I was told that the under-seat connections for the airbags were corroded and had to be replaced at considerable expense. Since these connections are not exposed to the outside environment they should not corrode unless the equipment is defective. Since this defect represents a major safety risk, there should be a corrective recall.
The airbag light stays illuminated for weeks at a time and then will randomly turn off. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they could not identify the problem. I have continuously had the problem off and on for the past year. I see several people have had the same problem with this model and year Subaru, this should be taken care of by Subaru- [redacted]
Airbag complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Subaru Forester, 10% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Subaru Forester airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Subaru Forester, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Subaru Forester airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.