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Air bagsPart report

2012 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
19%of 106 total for the year
Median mileage
39,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Subaru Forester, 19% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 8 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 turning left when I was struck by a car going in the opposite direction. According to police the impact was at 01-1 o'clock. . My car was spun into the guard rail causing damage to left front and rt rear of my car. The seat belt latch failed and released the seat belt and the front air bag did not deploy. There is substantial damage to the interior of my car ,steering column , gear shift ,etc. I sustained rather severe neck injuries which I believe would have reduced or eliminated if the safety systems had operated.”

NHTSA complaint #11051371, filed 2017-11, 38,000 miles

“Takata recall received letter from subara of america, inc. 3/24/17 in reference to recall. Instructed to take vehicle to local dealership for repair. Took vehicle next day to dealership, which stated they had repair parts and made an appointment for repairs within a week. The day before scheduled appointment, service dept. Phoned me and said that they didn't have the repair parts. I have made attempts to contact the service dept with promises of a call back, which never materialize. I believe that since the vehicle was not purchased at this dealership, I am being overlooked. …”

NHTSA complaint #10995741, filed 2017-06, 18,000 miles

“Me and my 12 year old daughter were driving 20mph down a small hill,a lady pulled out in front of us,I hit the brakes,which locked up and we slid so I let off them immediately,the roads were icy and snowy,so we gained a lot of velocity,we missed hitting her but went sideways,a little airborn and hit a telephone pole.I violently struck my head off the drivers side window,and my shoulder and arm were pinched between my body and the door.the tires popped,the front bumper clips broke.we both suffered seat belt bruises,and my daughter slammed her knee.I hurt my shoulder pretty bad and my head…”

NHTSA complaint #10672580, filed 2015-01, 40,000 miles

“Takata recall: I am writing to make a formal complaint against Subaru of america, inc. And their dealerships, regarding their failure to fulfill their responsibilities as part of the takata recall (NHTSA campaign: 17v-014000). My local Subaru dealership, downtown Subaru of oakland, california, has refused to provide either service or a loaner vehicle, in accordance with the NHTSA's mandated responsibilities of manufacturers and their dealerships for this recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10984260, filed 2017-05

“My 2012 Subaru forester had a recall on my passenger air bag that I had completed February 2019. It is now July 2022 and it’s displaying the same codes for a faulty air bag per my mechanic. I contacted Subaru of America and they stated that it’s not their problem because they have already complied with the recall. Clearly there is still an issue with the air bag or it would not have the same safety air bag code as before. This is clearly a manufacturer issue that they need to rectify. I should not have the same issue 3 years later. This is a huge safety problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11473562, filed 2022-07

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 2012 Subaru Forester

Engine
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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