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.
2004 Subaru Forester airbags complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 21 of 21, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The air bag dashboard light is always on. It first came on when the vehicle had about 82000 miles and at first it was intermittent. After about six weeks, it has become permanently lit when the engine is turned on. I have noted that this seems to be a problem on this model. The light does not bother me, but the fact that people have been in accidents and the airbags did not deploy does concern me greatly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 55mph the vehicle was involved in an accident. The air bags did not deploy. Although seatbelts were worn the two occupants sustained injuries. A police report was filed. As a result of the accident the vehicle was totaled.
Pulling into parking space. Had foot on brake. Approximate speed of car 10 MPH. Car accelerated on its own with my foot on brake. Looked down saw that gas pedal was to floor. Car accelerated into brick building. As quickly as it accelerated it stopped. Was able to reverse car into parking space. Hole in building damaging electricity for building. Entire building without electricity for entire day. Building has a 5' x 5' hole in wall and cracks doing up and down and around corner of building. Car was towed to repair shop since subaru(forester 2004) does not do repairs. Car was inspected by mechanic who said he could see no visible reason why gas pedal stuck. Frame of car in tack, estimated damage $3600. Car will be repaired and shipped to subaru for inspection prior to repossession of car. Airbag did not engage during accident. Prior to accident, approximately 2 months ago a similar incident happened. I came to a stop at an intersection, stepped on brake and car accelerated. It took both feet on the brake to stop the car. I thought perhaps it was winter and I slid on ice, or perhaps it was just a freak accident. Didn't think much of it until the second occurance.
While driving at 28 MPH a head on collision occurred. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. One person was injured.
Fuel door release button does not work. Airbag light came on possible electrical problems. *bf 5 days after purchasing the vehicle, the fuel door release button fell off. Opening of the fuel door was and continued to be difficult. The consumer would like a full refund for the vehicle. *tc
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