2009 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 22%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 22% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 9 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall : I received the recall notice, called the only Subaru dealer in the area, and was told they do not have any replacement airbags and don't know when they will get more. I am concerned for my family's safety and I am upset about the hardship not having a useable front passenger seat causes for my family with no timeline for remedy.”
NHTSA complaint #11080795, filed 2018-03, 110,000 miles“Takata air bag: I am writing to complaining about Subaru's inability to complete two NHTSA recall notices: in the fall of 2016 we got two recalls on our car, 16v738000 (air injection pump) and 17v026000 (passenger airbag). We have been working for over 16 months with their customer service personnel to get the required parts shipped to a german Subaru dealership to get our car back on the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11060717, filed 2018-01, 60,000 miles“Takata recall I have attempted through 3 separate Subaru dealers to complete my air bag recall completed. One dealer claimed they could not obtain the part, another stated it was back ordered for months & would contact me when part was available, another stated the repair would take 3-4d ays & I would be w/o my car. I attempted to contact Subaru national without resolution or support. I have been waiting over 1 yr for repair work. There only advise is not to have anyone sit in the driver side front seat. Really!! How about completeing the necesssary work?? Please advise”
NHTSA complaint #10947452, filed 2017-01, 60,000 miles“Airbag lights have been going on and off ever since I took it into to get my airbags recalled and Subaru will not take a look at it with out me signing a form saying I am liable to pay 200 dollars if it happens to be anything else unrelated to the recall warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11647932, filed 2025-03“Takata recall I have been calling the Subaru dealer several times over the last 6 month. I explained to them that we're not using the front seat since we learned of the recall. I'm getting pushed off time after time listening to the same excuse: I will take about two weeks till we get the parts in . This is unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #11024784, filed 2017-09Related recalls
- 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 2003–2014 +4 more
- 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 2003–2014 +4 more
- 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 2003–2014 +4 more
- 18V012000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2009–2013, Legacy 2009–2013 +4 more
- 18V013000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2010, Outback 2009–2010, Legacy 2009–2010 +3 more
- 18V014000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009, Outback 2009, Legacy 2009 +3 more
- 17V026000Jan 11, 2017Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models)…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009, Impreza 2006–2009, Tribeca 2006–2009 +3 more
- 17V014000Jan 10, 2017Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2012, Impreza 2006–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011 +5 more
- 16V358000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2011, Impreza 2006–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10248224Dec 28, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated…
- 10248223Dec 28, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10244915Oct 30, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10237234May 2, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10235277Apr 4, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10171869Feb 4, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171076Jan 15, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171075Jan 6, 2020Takata Like for Like recalls- TKA20 (Zone A), TKB20 (Zone B), TKC20 (Zone C).
- 10139471May 4, 2016NHTSA announced in a press conference today, the planned expansion of the airbag inflator recall to an additional 35 to 40 million vehicles from various manufacturers nationwide…
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 2009 Subaru Forester
27 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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