Subaru Forester Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  68
• Frontal
  31
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  31
• Side/window
  5
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  5
• SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
  2
• On-off switch assembly
  1
• Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  9929%
• 25k–50k
  10531%
• 50k–75k
  5316%
• 75k–100k
  3811%
• 100k–150k
  3711%
• 150k+
  72%

What owners report

I was involved in a front-end motor vehicle collision while driving straight through an intersection. Another vehicle entered perpendicular to my path and stopped directly in front of me, resulting in a collision primarily impacting the front-left (driver's side) of my vehicle. The impact appeared significant, and the front airbags did not deploy. Additionally, there appeared to be a partial or unclear deployment of the passenger-side airbag system, which did not resemble a full and typical deployment. The vehicle sustained substantial front-end damage, particularly on the driver's side. I am concerned that the airbag system may not have functioned as expected for the severity and nature of the crash. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed to determine whether the airbag system, sensors, or deployment logic performed within appropriate safety standards. …

I was involved in an accident. My car was moving at less than 10 MPH and the other driver hit the front drivers side, at the driver side wheel area, at about a 90 degree (t bone direction) angle while traveling an estimated 30-35 MPH. The front end of my automobile was obliterated, grill was gone, and my vehicle was turned 90 degrees to the right after impact. The passenger front door could barely be opened due to the bend in the hood and front end, but no airbags deployed. Emergency response was quite surprised the airbags did not deploy due to the high rate of speed and area of impact. The accident just occurred and my car hasn't been looked at by insurance adjusters but it seems that airbags likely should have deployed and/or the car's Starlink system should have registered the impact. …

While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side. It destroyed the headlight and damaged the fender and quarterpanel lightly and slightly bent the hood. I was able to pull over safely. When I got out to look at the damage, I could not open the hood but I could see a small flame on the passsenger side of the engine (this would be on the other side of the engine from where I hit the deer.) I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of my car but could not get the fire out. I got my grandbaby out safely at that point. Another driver stopped and tried to get the fire out with his fire extinguisher but to no avail. We called 911 and the fire department promptly got there. By then the entire car was in flames. …

On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle's safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including a concussion. No vehicle inspections have been completed at this time. We are currently coordinating with the manufacturer to arrange a formal inspection. There were no warning indicators, malfunction lights, or known mechanical issues present prior to the incident.

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and the RPMs were significantly high. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was reversing, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and hit a chained gate. The contact's wife depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle went into the woods, hit several small trees, and then the vehicle crashed into a big tree and bounced 30 ft. away from the tree. …

1. The passenger seat air bag turn on mechanism malfunctions in a 2023 Subaru Forester Limited. The seat mechanism can be tested (and has been tested) upon request. 2. An adult that weighs 104lbs is not detected when in the seat, so the air bag is not turned on. 3. The problem has been reproduced by two dealers. 4. No other parties have inspected the car seats or the mechanism. 5. The problem indicator is the status light that shows the air bag as off or on. 6. Testing of the car by the dealer found no problems with the setup of the SRS and seat detection technology. Employees weighing more than the customer getting into the seat turned on the air bag. 7. Testing with the customer reproduced the problem 100% of the time. Testing was done by having the adult get into the seat multiple times after a restart of the vehicle. The air bag light never turned on. 8. …

The contact owned a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while slowing pulling into the parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over a curb and traveled up a hill before crashing into a tree. During the crash neither the driver nor passenger-side air bags deployed. The driver and front passenger sustained chest injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 1800.

I had adaptive cruise control set to the speed limit of 55, I looked down to input directions and then heard the collision warning tone. There was a large box truck sitting at the stop light ahead of me. I slammed on the breaks and swerved into the right-hand turn lane. The vehicle did not make it entirely out of the way and hit the back passenger corner of the lift on the box truck at a slight angle. The vehicle was shredded from the front driver's side bumper to the beginning of the driver's door frame and the hood went through the windshield. No air bags were deployed. --I believe the components/system that could have potentially failed if any, was the airbag system or the automatic emergency breaking system. --Unsure if the problem has been reproduced. --The vehicle was inspected by police & insurance representatives. Unsure if the manufacturer has completed an inspection. …

Related recalls (14)

NHTSA investigations