2019 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 2%of 834 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,099miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the air bags of the 2019 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 834 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,099 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was involved in a 4 car accident. I was rear ended by two vehicles behind me which sent me into the vehicle in front of me. My 2019 Subaru Forester's air bags did not deploy and my seat belt did not restrain me; therefore, I was throw into the windshield support post and suffered a head injury. I am very unhappy with my Subaru and pray for others out there with this vehicle! New bern, nc”
NHTSA complaint #11255731, filed 2019-09, 12,000 miles“I was driving my 2019 Subaru Forester on the interstate when a car stopped in front of me. I attempted to brake, but did end up rear ending the car in front of me, which pushed her into the car in front of her. The impact was at least 30-35 MPH and the car is totaled. Airbags failed to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11192258, filed 2019-03, 3,700 miles“When car is in motion the passenger airbag off light remains illuminated. This started intermittently yesterday, on my 4th day of owning the new car! The Subaru alert system also notified me that something wasn't working and that it would require a service call.”
NHTSA complaint #11258398, filed 2019-09, 300 miles“We own a 2019 Subaru Forester sport. The front passenger airbag continually fails to register our daughter when she is sat in the seat with the seat belt buckled. She weighs approximately 100 pounds, is 5' tall and 13 years old. The airbag detects her about 50% of the time. If we add additional weight to her, such as my purse it will sometimes detect her but not always. We have brought it into the dealership service department and they say it is functioning as designed but will not tell us at what weight the airbag detection system should be triggered. …”
NHTSA complaint #11253180, filed 2019-09, 100 miles“In an accident involving front end to other car rear end on an interstate highway, the airbag system didn't deploy. The engine then caught fire in the right front of the engine. The entire car burned. Fortunately no injury to driver or passenger.”
NHTSA complaint #11240861, filed 2019-07, 3,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
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 2019 Subaru Forester
406 complaintsOther or unknown
145 complaintsElectrical system
134 complaintsEngine
106 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsLane departure
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 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