2011 Subaru Forester Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  120%
• 25k–50k
  360%
• 50k–75k
  120%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I have received multiple letters to fix my Subarus air bag. It was fixed once after a long wait for parts. The second required fix is proving hard to set up. I called a Subaru fix line, waited an hour while they try to schedule, then was disconnected. I called back, same long wait and they can not call you back if disconnected (I asked if they could as I was just disconnected and had to start over). I tried to explain to them in Hawaii we live on islands and cannot drive to other ones so it must be scheduled on my (Maui) island. They said they knew that (I even gave them the address of Subaru Maui). I waited on hold another 1/2 hour then got an email. I was scheduled a month later on - another island. I called back, waited again (they seemed more concerned with canceling my appointment the getting me a new one). After a very long series of transfers I was connected with Subaru Maui. …

I have tried to get the recall on airbag replaced to no avail, just alot of lip service and never any follow-up on repair of air bag. I am extremely ticked off that the very last current notification by mail this july 2022. I included a copy of it where it states DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN FRONT-PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON YOUR VEHICAL. This say to me that Subaru is covering the butts by telling me it will be my fault if injury occurs yet subaru skirts around not repairing on Recall Code TKB19. Relieves them of no responsibilty. Also this notification clearly states alternative transportation options- loaner car, round trip towing, shuttles. I have yet had anyone call or address this issue other then telling me to text "FIX" or call 800 number which I have done quite a few times. …

Vehicles horn started alarming and would not shut off. Vehicle was moving through a parking lot when this happened. Passerby attempted to help the driver but was unable to do so. The car was shut off and the horn still sounded. A second person helped remove a fuse which finally stopped the horn. We then had to drive without a needed horn. A dealer was notified for repair. The repair, to our great surprise, required a new airbag installed as well as the airbag-horn switch. This repair was to be very expensive. Many calls were made including to our own dealer in the ne. All agreed to the repair diagnosis given. The airbag had to be truck shipped to our location, requiring an extended stay at a lodging. The actual repair was very speedy. To our grateful surprise, Subaru did not charge us for the replacement air-bag or horn-switch. …

Pulling out of a parking space at the cvs drug store, pine island rd and del prado blvd in cape coral fl., put the car into drive and the car accelerated on its on across the parking lot, hitting a parked car head on. My air bag deployed and my car hit the parked car so hard it drove it over a concrete barrier out of the lot. The damage to my car alone was $10,000. The other car was destroyed. I have had Subaru cars for 33 years. This Forester was my 8th Subaru. When the car accelerated, I was thrown back, my foot was not on the brake or gas pedal. The car kept running after the accident until I turned it off. State farm insurance sent a safety director over to check the car (after it was fixed), the body shop also had an inspector check the codes on the computer. I got rid of the car even though it had it have 11 months on the lease because I did not trust it.

Takata recall. I was notified of this recall several weeks ago and told that the parts are not available. The notification told me not to use the front passenger seat until whenever the parts might become available (when? Months? Years?). Meanwhile I cannot use the vehicle as intended as a 5 seat family car. Is this not a violation of implied warranty of merchantability? I want to use the car for the purpose for which is was sold and not be told that I have to stop using it for that purpose with no indication of when, if ever, this problem will be solved. Subaru needs to step up and get this taken care of.

This is an older car but still serviceable. The passenger side airbag warning light comes on sometimes accompanied by a seatbelt warming, whenever a passenger is seated and the car is moving. Also a message light indicates the passenger airbag is off. We took the car to a Subaru dealer to see what could be done. The only remedy offered was to replace the entire seat at a cost exceeding $2000. Not cost effective for what amounts to defective weight sensors. We have noted that newer subar's have had the sensors recalled. We request that the recall be extended to all affected Subaru vehicles.

Takata recall I received a recall notice from Subaru regarding my front passenger airbag. The notice included a note that the front passenger seat is unsafe for use until the airbag has been replaced. However, the notice also stated that no replacement parts are currently available. I have tried several times to reach Subaru 'corporate customer care' about this issue and am unable to reach any representative by phone. I have emailed the same office and, so far, have received no response. When I called the local authorized dealer from whom I purchased the car and was told they have no update on when replacement parts might be available but they anticipate it could be "a few months". In the meantime I have a car that is unsafe for normal use, and a manufacturer that is both unable to replace defective parts and seemingly unwilling to answer questions regarding the issue.

Takata recall several months ago we received a recall letter about airbags letter said Subaru would contact us about scheduling appt to replace no notice came and I called dealership they said parts were in short supply and that I would be put on long wait list I asked why we were not told to get on list dealer said Subaru was supposed to provide list of recalls and did not do that if I had known I needed to get on list I would have called months ago now I face another several months of not being able to use the passenger side of my car I understand parts shortages but if I had not called I never would have gotten on list Subaru sold me a car that will only allow the driver to sit in the front seat and now says there will be more months before this is remedied somebody has failed in this process and I am disappointed in Subaru

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V009000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called two local dealers: grand prix Subaru (500 s broadway, hicksville, ny 11801, [phone]) and hassett Subaru (3520 sunrise hwy, wantagh, ny 11793, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were on backorder until August 9, 2019. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19V008000 (air bags) and 14V830000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. John howard Subaru (1730 mileground rd, morgantown, wv 26505, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Forester years