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Air bagsPart report

2024 Subaru Forester Air bags Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
23%of 31 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2024 Subaru Forester, 23% of the 31 complaints for this model year. 1 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.

“While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side. It destroyed the headlight and damaged the fender and quarterpanel lightly and slightly bent the hood. I was able to pull over safely. …”

NHTSA complaint #11757169, filed 2026-08

“The Car is available for Inspection. Front Passenger Side Air Bag. When My Wife Sits in the Front Passenger Seat, The Air Bag indicator Indicates the Air Bag System is Off. This Means My Wife seated in the front passenger seat is not protected by the air bag system, this is un acceptable. This Condition Existed Since the car was new. Current Car Milage is 14,052 11/12/2024.”

NHTSA complaint #11624744, filed 2024-11

“The airbag does not go on all the time when my wife is in the passenger seat. My wife weighs approximately 100lbs. We have been at the dealer 2x's and they say that the airbag is working perfectly. I disagree with them very strongly. We have had multiple cars and do not have this problem. We just traded in a Buick encore gx and no problem with the airbag. Subaru claims there is nothing more they can do.”

NHTSA complaint #11595264, filed 2024-06

“The passenager airbag on won't activate at the 88lb weight per local Subaru of Gallatin dealership where I purchased the car from. They did a test with 88lbs in another Subaru vehicle and the passenger airbag on activated but won't activate on in the 2024 Subaru Forester. The local dealership stated that the airbag sensor is off by 10lbs in the vehicle I have. I have asked the dealership to address this issue three times. The third time they stated that Subrau is aware of the issue but there is no current solution.”

NHTSA complaint #11676287, filed 2025-07

“On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including a concussion. No vehicle inspections have been completed at this time. We are currently coordinating with the manufacturer to arrange a formal inspection. …”

NHTSA complaint #11711351, filed 2026-01

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202544%
2024723%
202368%
202244%
202121%
2020112%
2019172%
20189920%
201716728%
201610024%
201510217%
20145714%
20131317%
20122019%
20112920%
20104216%
20094022%
2008612%
200768%
200667%
200555%
20042110%
20032513%
20021011%
2001129%
200011%
199922%
199866%

Other parts of the 2024 Subaru Forester

Other or unknown
9 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2024 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