2020 Subaru Forester air bags problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2020 Subaru Forester — 2% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Feb 20, 2026
“The passenger seat airbag sensor does not activate all the time. My girlfriend weighs [XXX]. When she sits in the passenger seat, it only activates the sensor approx 50% of the time. I took it to Subaru, they indicated the sensor was working properly, and their resolution to the issue was for her…”
filed Jan 4, 2025
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% |
| 2019 Forester | 17 | 2% |
| 2018 Forester | 96 | 19% |
| 2017 Forester | 164 | 28% |
| 2016 Forester | 99 | 24% |
| 2015 Forester | 101 | 16% |
| 2014 Forester | 57 | 14% |
| 2013 Forester | 13 | 17% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 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.