RoadVitals

2011 Subaru Forester Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest Aug 13, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 147 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Subaru Forester submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2022

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. I would appreciate that you will respond to me that you will do something other then ignoring me. You will be sure that if anything happens there will be an attorney involved. Subaru needs to honor this Recall or why even bother to send out notices constantly .

NHTSA ID
11479163
Incident
Aug 13, 2022
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2021

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. They told me they (service dept) can't schedule them (only mangers can schedule air bag appointments) but they will have a manager call me back. I asked when and they said a week or two. Its been a week but I have not heard anything. I wrote Subaru with my issue and got a auto reply telling thanking me for being an owner and how great their cares are. No acknowledgment of my problem. The letters stress the importance of getting it done, but Subaru makes it very hard.

NHTSA ID
11418892
Incident
May 13, 2021
AirbagsEngine
Filed Sep 16, 2020

2011 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED FOR VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ID
11354692
Incident
Sep 16, 2020
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jan 24, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11301541
Incident
Sep 1, 2017
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 9, 2020

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS RECALLED AGAIN

NHTSA ID
11298256
Incident
Jan 7, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jul 12, 2019

TAKATA RECALL HAVE NOT FOUND A DEALERSHIP WILLING TO REPLACE. IF THEY WILL NOT FIX WILL THEY BUY BACK MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR

NHTSA ID
11231500
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Airbags
Filed May 14, 2019

TAKATA RECALL- LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS BEING DIFFICULT IN TRYING TO RESOLVE HAVING PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED. ALSO SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS BEEN SLOW TO STEP IN AND HELP

NHTSA ID
11207607
Incident
May 4, 2019
Airbags
Filed Apr 24, 2019

TAKATA RECALL - CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE FIX FOR RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE ME UNTIL JUNE 24, AND UNTIL THEN I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. THEY SAID THE DELAY WAS BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY CARS THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE ANYONE UNTIL AT LEAST THEN. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID
11203364
Incident
Apr 24, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). CARR SUBARU (LOCATED AT 11635 SW CANYON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005, (503) 672-3370) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE SOONER THAN JULY 19, 2019 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11191421
Incident
Feb 25, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2019

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, (516) 336-4711) AND HASSETT SUBARU (3520 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, 516-785-7800) 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.

NHTSA ID
11186370
Incident
Jan 9, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2019

2011 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

NHTSA ID
11185312
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 27, 2019

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, (866) 219-7316) 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.

NHTSA ID
11182829
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Airbags
Filed Feb 11, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11176247
Incident
Jan 9, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jan 17, 2018

TAKATA RECALL: I ASKED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN SAN FRANCISCO TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, AND THERE IS A 9 TO 12 MONTHS WAIT LIST. THEY ARE BASICALLY REFUSING TO DO THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
11063366
Incident
Jan 17, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jun 27, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO TAKATA RECALL REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED UNTIL OCTOBER DUE TO A COURT CASE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11001751
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 14, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000(AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10954516
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2017

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS NOTIFIED ON JULY 27, 2016 BY SUBARU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE. SINCE THAT DATE NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH HAS CAUSED A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR. IS THERE ANY TIME LINE ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG? THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10949576
Incident
Jul 27, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 11, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10944278
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 10, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
10944038
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 20, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10936558
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. MY SUBARU DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS / AIR BAG IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL END OF YEAR. THEY DIRECTED ME TO THEIR 1-800 NUMBER BUT I KEEP ON BEING PLACE ON HOLD AND CAN'T GET THRU. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 4 AND IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT TO NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE SIT A FRONT PASSENGER. WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE AVAILABLE? WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A VEHICLE OWNER? IS THERE ANYWAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT?

NHTSA ID
10920140
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 26, 2016

TAKATA RECALL NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU. I CANNOT HAVE A FRONT SEAT PASSANGER-POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. WHAT CAN I DO?

NHTSA ID
10919202
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Mileage
44,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 3, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10911151
Incident
Jul 11, 2016
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 26, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) AND 12V099000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10909655
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10896985
Incident
Jul 22, 2016
Mileage
26,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .