2020 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 2%of 604 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,350miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 604 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,350 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2/17/2021 - honda accord going north on lynchburg turnpike ran a stoplight (going about 30 in a 25 mpg zone) trying to turn west onto east main st. In salem, va ... Bounced opposite curb, cut west and swerved (oversteer) and came head on into my stationary 2020 Forester. Our light had just turned green and we were about to move forward when the honda came out into the intersection. My wife was driving and I was a passenger. I was taken to er and seen by several doctors and am undergoing pt for the next 5 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11399587, filed 2021-03, 5,200 miles“Passenger side air bags are not enabled with a person sitting in the seat using a seat belt extender. There are flaws on the software that identify the passenger actions entering the car, when the seat belt is fastened and whether or not a seat belt extender has been used. If a seat belt extender is already in place, the car refuses to enable the air bags after a person sits in the passenger seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11279538, filed 2019-11, 500 miles“I started the car to make a trip to town to run some errands. When I cranked the engine the Check Engine light came on. The S for Sport Mode was flashing and a No Eyesight warning came on. Also SRS Side Airbag light came on to indicate it was not working. And another light came on showing a car going out of its lane, but I don't know if it was the Lane Keep Assist light or not.”
NHTSA complaint #11568556, filed 2024-01“The airbag system has a sensor issue and I keep getting warnings from Subaru to get it fixed because it affects the seatbelts. The garage where I take my car says they are unable to get the part needed for the passenger sensor. And, Subaru says they need to replace the whole harness for $6000. Makes me wonder why a safety issue like this one seen in other Subaru’s have been recalled but not my model… Also the start stop feature drains the battery excessively. I have had to replace the battery twice in less than a year. I push the button to stop this feature the minute I get into the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11719471, filed 2026-02“On October 26th 2022 I was in a accident with a deer. It was a head on collision where my airbags deployed but the main windshield airbag didn't go off.”
NHTSA complaint #11491101, filed 2022-10Related 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 2020 Subaru Forester
301 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsEngine
82 complaintsForward collision avoidance
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsLane departure
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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