2016 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 100about this part
- Share
- 24%of 416 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 100 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Subaru Forester, 24% of the 416 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this vehicle early 2016, currently under 40k miles. The side passenger airbag warning suddenly came on stating the srs system needs checked. The warning comes and disappears sporadically. I tried wiggling and tightening the connection underneath the seat and the light was gone for over a month but it came back again.”
NHTSA complaint #11246720, filed 2019-08, 35,000 miles“I turned my vehicle on in the morning and a red 'I' appeared and a warning that srs airbag system needed to be checked. The panel on the dashboard has an airbag light blinking. The passenger airbag light continues to say 'off' despite there being weight in the seat. There has been no damage to the seat including moisture or anything to damage the seat. Happened completely at random.”
NHTSA complaint #11268238, filed 2019-10, 49,500 miles“My passenger airbag light go on and off to signal if the passenger seat airbag system is activated or not. Dealer diagnosis is that the sensor in the seat is bad. The replacement part and labor is over $1000 because it is integrated into the seat. I called Subaru and they are willing to pay for half, however this is an unacceptable solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #11052638, filed 2017-12, 44,000 miles“The front passenger air bag turns off while a 130 lbs. Passenger is riding in that seat. Adjusting the seat forward or backward while traveling turns the sensor back on (indicating the passenger air bag is on), but as of today, 4-5 minutes later it would turn off again...occuring 5 times in 35 minutes. I fear that if we are involved in an accident, the airbag to protect my wife as a passenger may fail to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11265770, filed 2019-10, 51,550 miles“My vehicle all of a sudden began giving me a passenger side airbag censor error. No accidents occurred it just out of the blue appeared. I had to take my Forester to the Subaru dealership to be serviced where they confirmed that there was a problem with the passenger air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #11244774, filed 2019-08, 32,500 milesRelated recalls
- 19V701000Oct 3, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger…Covers: Subaru Forester 2015–2018
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10252544Mar 28, 2024Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the…
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 | 166 | 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 2016 Subaru Forester
93 complaintsOther or unknown
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsWheels
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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