2004 Subaru Forester air bags problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2004 Subaru Forester — 10% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Hello, this is the second 04 subaru forester I have owned that has a faulty solder airbag connection causing the airbag light to be on and likely disabling some or all of the airbag system. That is very high likelihood that most of these 03-04 vehicles are affected. Why is there not a recall to…”
filed Jun 15, 2019
“Having seen the complaints from other users regarding the reliability of airbag deployment in this model vehicle. Relevant to let the proper authorities know of a rollover accident in which no airbags (nor front nor side) deployed with a resulting fatality. *tr”
filed Feb 10, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Air Bags problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 Forester | 7 | 24% |
| 2023 Forester | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 Forester | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 Forester | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 Forester | 17 | 2% |
| 2018 Forester | 96 | 19% |
| 2017 Forester | 164 | 28% |
| 2016 Forester | 99 | 24% |
| 2015 Forester | 101 | 16% |
| 2014 Forester | 57 | 14% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2004 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.