2001 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 9%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Subaru Forester, 9% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver's seat belt does not retract. Then it gets closed in the door because it hangs loose. In the back seat, the middle seat belt has the wrong part so it cannot be latched. Because of this, I cannot safely drive with more than 2 passengers in the back seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10811364, filed 2015-12, 56,000 miles“I was making a left turn and was hit head on damaging the right front of my vehicle. The damage totaled over 8000.00 . Damage included the front hood, right front fender, front bumper cover and reinforcement , radiator support and the radiator. Also, the AC condensor, the whole front was bent to the left resulting in damage to the chassis. The engine was tilted, the windshield cracked, and the sub rail , where the airbag sensor is, cracked in two. There was additional damagealso. …”
NHTSA complaint #744865, filed 2001-05“Aotomobile skidded of road d/t snow/slush stopping in culvert. Damage to front end considered substantial. Air bags did not deploy and seat belt apparently did not hold occupant since her head hit the windshield. She was transported to local er. The fact that the airbags did not depoly impressed the police and emts at the accident site.”
NHTSA complaint #738943, filed 2001-01“Brakes lightly applied due to slush on roadway,brakes did not work vehicle crashed, driver suffered concusion as head hit windshield and air bags did not depoly. Seat belt did not hold driver firmly. Subaru home office notified, chris, customer service rep appears not very concerned and almost callous in response to our concerns. Ins co has elected to further investigation the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #739891, filed 2001-01“Vehicle was on a side street and was traveling about 20mph, another vehicle jumped in front of consumer's vehicle, consumer applied brakes and pedal went all the way down to the floor. Upon impact, airbags didn't go off. Dealership was aware of problem. Mechanic looked at the vehicle three times already.”
NHTSA complaint #898344, filed 2001-10Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 7 | 23% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 17 | 2% |
| 2018 | 99 | 20% |
| 2017 | 167 | 28% |
| 2016 | 100 | 24% |
| 2015 | 102 | 17% |
| 2014 | 57 | 14% |
| 2013 | 13 | 17% |
| 2012 | 20 | 19% |
| 2011 | 29 | 20% |
| 2010 | 42 | 16% |
| 2009 | 40 | 22% |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 6 | 8% |
| 2006 | 6 | 7% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 25 | 13% |
| 2002 | 10 | 11% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Subaru Forester
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology