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2016 Subaru Forester: airbags did not deploy in a crash

9 of the 416 complaints about the 2016 Subaru Forester describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
19,118
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 28, 2024 · Body, Driver assistance · WA · crash

I was driving very slowly in a long line of traffic due to a sudden downpour of hail, ice pellets, and frozen rain which blanketed the road in white. Suddenly, without warning, my 2016 Subaru Forester accelerated and veered to the right and into a grove of trees doing extensive damage to the front end. The vehicle was totaled by my insurance company. I suspect that there was sudden acceleration and because of the icy road conditions my car left the road instead of plowing into the car ahead of me. The airbags didn't go off and I wasn't hurt at all but the entire front end was beyond repair.

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Airbags, Driver assistance · TX · crash · 1 injury

My Subaru Forester is equipped with Airbags and Subaru's Eye Sight anti-collision braking system. On Aug 5th my wife met with an accident while trying to avoid a head-on collision side swiped a vehicle on the right lane which hit the car on the rear side and the impact further changed the direction of her car and she went and hit the steel fence stone pillar on the right side. The frontal collision with the stone pillar damaged the bumper and car engine is dislocated from its position as the frame is deformed and the front tires jammed. The car's famed anti-collision system did not prevent the collision and the Air bags failed to deploy. I suspect that there is a serious manufacturing defect that all the safety systems failed in the car, hence I request you to conduct an enquiry while the car is being sent to the repair center to ascertain the right cause of failure.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Airbags · SC · crash

2016 subaru forester. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated shortly after receiving the recall notice, the vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a tree. The airbag did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 19,118 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

There were 5 major issues with my vehicle that I want investigated. I was driving straight nb on us-101 in the #1 lane of traffic, going approximately 75 MPH, when for no explainable reason, the rear tires of my 2016 subaru forester began to skid me across the #2 lane of traffic. I will note that it had just stopped sprinkling and the road was damp. Issue 1: during my skid, the skid control feature never engaged (which is a marketed feature and a reason I purchased this vehicle). I had to fight the skid on my own. Issue 2: the roll over feature never engaged (which is a marketed feature and another reason I purchased this vehicle). After fighting to prevent my vehicle from rolling over and skidding out of control, I ultimately crash on the shoulder of the freeway, hitting a light post. Issue 3: upon hitting the light post, my seat belt flew off. (both my hands were on the wheel at the time and there were no loose objects in the area. Unless this is some "feature" it is extremely dangerous for the seat belt to disengage automatically.) issue 4: the crash notification feature, that I paid extra for, did not do it's job. Even with my cell phone linked to the vehicle, the crash notification never called 9-1-1 on my behalf. I immediately called 9-1-1 to notify chp of my accident because I was fearful of another vehicle also spinning out of control and hitting me. Chp took a report. ** issue 5 **: the air bags never deployed. None of the air bags deployed. My car was deemed totaled by the insurance company and auto body shop. The auto body shop stated vehicle hit the pole so hard all bolts were bent into a 45 degree angle. How does a crash that severe not engage the air bags? I had a scar on my collar bone for a month after the crash. None of the marketed or required safety features worked to prevent the crash nor assist after the crash.

Filed Jan 8, 2019 · Airbags · 36,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 subaru forester. While driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned, struck a wall, and was struck by three other vehicles. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a bruised face and minor contusions, which did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The cause of the failure was not determined. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2017 · Airbags, Body · 34,500 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Front end total collision traveling approximately 30mph on a residential section of a main street. Hit, and broke, a telephone pole. Car deemed totaled. No airbags deployed.

Filed May 1, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 13,000 miles · FL · crash

I was parking my car. I had the brake applied and put it in park. The car accelerated on its own over a parking barrier, over a 1.5' stone barrier, up a small grade and into and partially thru a concrete patio wall. The car's gearshift was in park. I had to move it back to reverse to get it back into the parking space. And even though the impact was substantial the airbag did not deploy.

Filed Oct 24, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 600 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

"takata recall" vehicle accellerated, brakes did not stop vehicle, accident took place injuring my wife, physically, emotionally & psychologically. Air bags did not deploy. Wife was trying to park, when vehicle sped up and her braking had no effect and she crashed into a parked vehicle.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Transmission · 1,800 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru forester. While the vehicle was in reverse, it accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle without warning. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The air bags did not deploy. The failure recurred, but only when the contact attempted to shift into reverse. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that this type of failure had never before occurred. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported October 3, 2019 · 366,282 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Risk
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Recall number 19V701000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Subaru Forester no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2016 Subaru Forester?

9 of 416 owner complaints about the 2016 Subaru Forester (2%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2015.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Subaru Forester?

There is 1 recall and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Subaru Forester

Airbag light 40Stalling 24Sudden acceleration 24Battery drain 19Loss of power 15Adaptive cruise 12Jerking 12Windshield crack 11Check engine light 9Coil spring 8Warning lights 8CVT failure 7ABS 6Won't start 6Engine failure 5Fuel gauge 5Hesitation 5Steering lock-up 5

All model years of the Subaru Forester

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