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Air bagsPart report

2011 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
20%of 147 total for the year
Median mileage
35,140miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Subaru Forester, 20% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,140 miles. 1 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 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10896985, filed 2016-08, 26,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10871847, filed 2016-06, 35,140 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10496757, filed 2013-02, 10,300 miles

“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 complaint #11203364, filed 2019-04

“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 complaint #10920140, filed 2016-10

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202544%
2024723%
202368%
202244%
202121%
2020112%
2019172%
20189920%
201716628%
201610024%
201510217%
20145714%
20131317%
20122019%
20112920%
20104216%
20094022%
2008612%
200768%
200667%
200555%
20042110%
20032513%
20021011%
2001129%
200011%
199922%
199866%

Other parts of the 2011 Subaru Forester

Engine
60 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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