Airbag lights have been going on and off ever since I took it into to get my airbags recalled and Subaru will not take a look at it with out me signing a form saying I am liable to pay 200 dollars if it happens to be anything else unrelated to the recall warranty.
2009 Subaru Forester airbags problems
40 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 9
Which part fails
- Frontal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Subaru Forester airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Recall number 20V001000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Recall number 20V002000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Recall number 20V003000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Recall number 18V012000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.
Recall number 18V013000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.
Recall number 18V014000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
Recall number 17V026000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Recall number 17V014000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑856‑488‑8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
Recall number 16V358000 · Recall details
What 2009 Subaru Forester owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
No local dealer to complete recall the federal safety agency Recall Number 20V002000. Vehicle is too old, too high miles to be trusted to take on an extended road trip to a dealer. Contacting Subaru wasn’t any help.
2009 subaru forester. Consumer writes in regards to issue with airbag. *ld the consumer stated the airbag is on recall as well as many others on the island of hawaii. The manufacturer declined to send a certified repair technician to the consumers. Instead, the manufacturer suggested that the consumers send the vehicle fro lana'I, hawaii to oahu, hawaii to have the vehicle repaired. The consumer stated the trip would cost at least 900.00 per owner. The consumer requested to have a repair technician to come to lana'I. *js
Subaru dealer (mark shaw subaru 1650 w 104th ave, denver, co 80234, phone (720) 724-9280) refuses to replace the passenger air bag that is on recall because it was deployed. They refuse to provide any written documentation on why or what is needed for them to perform the recall work.
We are extremely concerned that the takata airbag in our 2009 subaru forester has not been replaced yet. Especially frustrating is the fact that, every six months or so, we get a notice from tk holdings warning us about the potentially deadly airbag (as if we didn't know) and urging us to contact our dealer for a free replacement. Each time we get that notice, we again call our dealer, fox motors in marquette, mich., and are told that our replacement airbag will be ordered. Months pass with no word. Then we get another recall notice. Then we call fox motors again. Months pass. Repeat. Repeat. We appreciate the need to replace takata airbags in hot, humid places first. If we lived in the south, we would certainly want priority in this dangerous matter. But it's been nine years since the first takata airbag death, and five years since takata admitted the danger. People who live in the north do travel in the south with takata airbags lurking in their dashboards. It's time to get this done for all of us! And, on the subject of recalls in general: we are scandalized by the fact that takata (or its bankruptcy manager) is handling this deadly issue in such a leisurely manner, while volkswagen was required to spend millions of dollars promptly replacing perfectly functional, non-lethal cars because the company fudged its pollution numbers. These two recalls are grossly out of proportion to the respective offenses. We have no connection to volkswagen; have never even owned one. But we know unfairness when we see it. Thank you for your attention in this critical matter. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Takata recall. The very day that I received the recall notice that this repair was 'urgent' and with an explicit warning of 'do not let anyone ride in the front passenger seat ' until this repair was completed, I called my local dealer, where I had purchased the car, (serra of traverse city mi) and the earliest they could schedule me was sixty (yes, 60) days away!!!! We are a single car family, and this would have had a serious detrimental impact on our jobs, and assorted family commitments. So I called subaru by the bay, a subaru dealer about 65 miles away, and from whom I had never purchased anything, and they got me in for air bag replacement within four days!
Takata recall : I received the recall notice, called the only subaru dealer in the area, and was told they do not have any replacement airbags and don't know when they will get more. I am concerned for my family's safety and I am upset about the hardship not having a useable front passenger seat causes for my family with no timeline for remedy.
Takata air bag: I am writing to complaining about subaru's inability to complete two the federal safety agency recall notices: in the fall of 2016 we got two recalls on our car, 16v738000 (air injection pump) and 17v026000 (passenger airbag). We have been working for over 16 months with their customer service personnel to get the required parts shipped to a german subaru dealership to get our car back on the road. Over this time we have seen nothing concrete, had a lack of follow up, had our customer service claim number deleted in their system and reinstated again and were told all the blame was on your parent company in japan and their inability to either respond to your recall departments personnel emails and we have been told how dangerous it is to ship these parts. I have another japanese car with me in germany, a honda. Honda of america contacted honda of germany and have authorized a local dealership to order and replace the part on my honda'that process only took 6 weeks versus 16 months we have been waiting with subaru. My patience has run very thin. I know that getting american servicemen's vehicles serviced overseas is not a new problem and it should not take this long. Can you please inquire with subaru and put pressure at the right level to get these problems fixed.
Takata recall local dealer still does not have replacement parts. Their only suggestion is to not have anyone sit in the passenger seat. They have no idea when parts will be available, yet new cars are being produced, with [supposedly good inflators]. Apparently profit comes before safety.
Takata airbag recall-notice in the mail that my vehicle is in the list. Let me know what to do.
Questions about the 2009 Subaru Forester airbags
Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Forester airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Subaru Forester airbags?
Yes, 9 recalls: 20V001000, 20V002000, 20V003000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru Forester have bad airbags?
The Subaru Forester model years with the most airbags complaints are 2017 (167 complaints), 2015 (102 complaints) and 2016 (100 complaints).
Other 2009 Subaru Forester problems
Engine 39Electrical 22Acceleration 19Transmission 17Brakes 16Seats 16Visibility 11Fuel system 10Suspension 6Driver assistance 5Lights 4Steering 3Body 2Seat belts 2Tires 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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