2018 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 99about this part
- Share
- 20%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,280miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 99 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 20% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,280 miles. 2 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 was in an accident in which a car t-boned my passenger side. No airbags deployed and we suffered injury as a result. The other car that hit us had all air bags deployed. This was a malfunction in the Subaru I drive. The accident occurred while I was in motion going 40mph and a car hit me after running a red light going 45mph”
NHTSA complaint #11252727, filed 2019-09, 28,000 miles“Subaru Forester 2018 air bag won't turn on with adult in front passengers seat. I have several photos to show that it is off for several minutes. Not the first time this has happened but the first time I was able to document it.”
NHTSA complaint #11354469, filed 2020-09, 10 miles“2018 Subaru Forester: passenger airbag system fails & turned itself off. Happen 4-5 times in fall 2018. 10/23/2018 I took to northend Subaru service code b1650, part back ordered. 04/05/2019 passenger airbag system fails & turned itself off again. Called northend Subaru service. Part still back ordered more than 5 months. They say 60+ are awaiting parts in new england. Is Subaru reporting to you this type of safety issue? Will I hear that you received my notification to you?”
NHTSA complaint #11194757, filed 2019-04, 12,000 miles“Some time in august 2018 I noticed that the air bag warning light would randomly come on indicating that the air bag on the passenger side of my new 2018 Subaru Forester was turned off even when an adult passenger was seated. I called the dealer who at first couldn't explain it. It happened again a few times, after which I notified the dealer who determined the passenger side indicator switch was likely faulty, and around october 1, 2018 they ordered a replacement part. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149508, filed 2018-11, 8,000 miles“Front passenger seat airbag sensor began not recognizing passengers sitting in the seat shortly after purchasing my brand new 2018 Subaru Forester. This started occuring while driving, turning off and on. After a while, it completely stopped recognizing any person sitting in the seat even after only just turning the car on. The dealership replaced it since it was in the warranty period but blamed us for it malfunctioning saying that we must have gotten the seat wet, causing the sensor to fail. We told them that we hadn't ever gotten the seat wet. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243913, filed 2019-08, 12,559 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 | 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 2018 Subaru Forester
156 complaintsOther or unknown
85 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsSeats
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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