2004 Subaru Forester: airbag warning light

Filed Jun 15, 2019 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · WA

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 address this safety failure? Below is the documentation for the lack of response from subaru of america. Attached is a pdf of the tsb for this issue. Hi [xxx], thank you for contacting subaru of america. I appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance. I can confirm that I have documented the concerns you have related to your vehicle, including your request to have a recall issued concerning the problem described in tsb 17-07-04. Should you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us by replying to this email or calling us at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Sincerely, [xxx] subaru of america, inc. Customer/retailer services department 1-800-subaru3 (1‑800‑782‑2783) service request number:[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Airbags · NM

Since 2009 the driver side airbag light will stay on after I have started the car. It will stay on for days, whether it is hot summer time or cold winter days. It may stay on for a few days or for months. The last time was from july 19, 2014 to august 25, 2014. This is the first time that I have reviewed the list of vehicle safety complaints. Seeing the other complaints about the airbag light remaining on encourages me to submit my history also. When it has been on, I think I should take it to the dealer but then it goes off before I can take the car in to the dealer. Seeing all the complaints I also think subaru should be responsive to this problem.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · WA

The airbag light stays illuminated for weeks at a time and then will randomly turn off. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they could not identify the problem. I have continuously had the problem off and on for the past year. I see several people have had the same problem with this model and year subaru, this should be taken care of by subaru- [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Airbags · 111,000 miles · MN

The driver side front air bag light has lit up on the dashboard. It stays on every time I start the car and drive it. I have taken it to the local subaru dealer in rochester, mn (clements). They say it will cost $3000 to install a brand new air bag system. I disagree. This is an inherent , serious safety flaw in the car. In my opinion, subaru should fix it free of charge. I have not received any safety advisory from subaru of america. Your guidance would be appreciated. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated for both the passenger and driver side air bags. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2011 · Airbags · WA

Airbag light comes on and goes off when the driver's seat is adjusted, ( this has been happening since the car was new, & sometimes staying on for weeks at a time). When ask about this problem at the dealers service department, they were aware of the problem and wanted over $170 to repair this safety issue as when the air bag light is on,the airbags are not working according to the dealers service department in auburn, wa. Since we still own this car, with less than 60,000 miles on it, we think that subaru should be responsible for this safety problem.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Airbags · 58,383 miles · NY

The airbag light randomly goes on and off for periods of days at a time. This has been happening for many years. I brought it in to the subaru dealer but they claimed it did not light up for them during their inspection. It then lit up for me on the way home and when I called the dealer from the road they would not look at it again until I made another appointment. Unfortunately I cannot assure that it will be on for them when they get the car. I later discovered that there was a subaru technical service bulletin for this problem #17-07-04. They should have at least checked to see that this is a common problem. Further my mechanic said that when the light is on the air bags will not deploy upon impact.

Filed Jul 29, 2010 · Airbags · 68,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised that one of the air bag plugs that was connected to the air bag wiring was not contacting. The contact was concerned with the possibility of being involved in a crash and the air bags potentially would not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated there was a technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer (the federal safety agency item number: 10015705: air bags) but there was not a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,500.

Filed Mar 13, 2010 · Airbags · GA

The air bag light seems to intermittently come on when the driver's seat is moved forward. The light goes off on its own usually when the seat is moved back but we have not detected any patterns.

Filed Jul 9, 2008 · Airbags · CO

The air bag warning light comes on intermittently when the drivers seat is moved. The connector wire under the seat must be cause but the dealer will charge $600.00 for repair that they state may or may not fix this problem. This has been happening since the vehicle was one or two years old. A search of your records shows the exact problem in complaint #10196583, and is the likely cause of complaint #'s 10149296 and 10101059.

Filed Jun 3, 2008 · Airbags, Electrical · 25,000 miles · CA

The air bag system will not function in the event of a collision due to an electrical connector malfunction. The connector is located under the driver's seat and is constantly stressed by seat movement or contact by the driver's feet. As a result, the air bag warning light is chronically but intermittently on. This has been a problem since first identified when this vehicle was approximately 1 year old. The repair of the connector was eventually ineffective. When the air bag warning light is on the air bags are inactive and will not deploy in the event of a collision.

Filed Jul 17, 2007 · Airbags · 40,000 miles · AZ

Airbag light came on shortly before the warranty on the item ran out. Dealer checked connections and light went out. A few months later the light came again. Checked connection, light went out. Light started going on intermittently. Now was on steadily. Goggling 2004 forester air bag light indicates this was a common problem. It was a poor design that exposed the connector to damage by feet or other objects under the driver's seat.