2010 Subaru Forester Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  19%
• 25k–50k
  545%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  218%
• 100k–150k
  327%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

On 5/24/2023 while driving with a front passenger, the passenger seat belt warning light, chime and airbag warning came on for no reason. Stopped the car at a red traffic light and turned ignition off and then on to hopefully clear the warning. There was no power to any system. The ignition switch did not work and I could not get the transmission out of park to push the car off the road. Could not activated anything on the dash including the hazard warning. Being in a single lane road, traffic was traveling around us on both sides. We could have been rear ended. I opened the driver's door and all power to the dash came back. It took 4 attempts to start before the engine started. All settings and radio had to be reprogrammed. Stopped at the dealer and they ask if this was the first occurence. (It was) They said if it happened again to bring the car in. The car has been normal since.

Takata recall, the car was driving and hit a parked car in the city, and the airbag deployed to the size of a soccer ball, popped, and just sat there. The curtain never opened or came down.the airbag never reached my face nor did it do anything for me. I received several injuries because of it.

Had a collision with another vehicle and my airbags never deployed. The other vehicles airbags did deploy.

Takata recall. I received a letter from my Subaru dealer about the passenger front airbag recall. The letter instructed me to call the dealer as well as not allowing a front seat passenger. I called and was told that replacement parts are not available so they wouldn't make an appointment with me to have the airbag checked without having the replacement part. The service person did not know when the replacement part/recall resolution will happen. I am complaining because of the issue of not using my passenger front seat without a time limit on the resolution of this problem.

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, he lost consciousness and the vehicle traveled into an embankment, crashing into a tree. Upon impact, the air bags deployed in shards, failing to protect the driver. The driver sustained a concussion, seizures and bruising. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 42,000. Updated 3/13/13 05/09/2013

The airbag tension pens broke at 31,583 miles, requiring a replacement of the airbag module at. After pressing on the horn, the horn remained engaged. I removed the fuse, took the car to don beyer Subaru in alexandria, virginia and was informed the airbag tension pens had broken. Subaru of America will not classify this as a covered repair - even under their gold plus warranty plan. I find it troubling that 2 critical safety mechanisms (horn and driver's front air bag) can be so easily compromised with no concern from Subaru of America.

Gallatin Subaru in bozeman montana refuses to do the recall repair on the air bag because I had a mouse trap in my vehicle. The manager refused to let me record why they would not in the end I did say great you are willing to risk my f-ing life in the past we have purchased 3 new vehicles from them. They now have on file do not work on my vehicle or allowed on the property. Personally I do not want them to work on my vehicle now.

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, it erroneously accelerated while still in park. The vehicle then crashed into a building. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer diagnosed that the occupant restraint module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Takata recall. Today is 23 March 2019. The first date for a service appoiontment for a Takata bag recall is in October 2019. Is a 7 month repair delay acceptable? The manufacturer recommends not using the passenger seat in the front of the vehicle. 7 months is a long time to put me or my wife in the rear seat.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Forester years