TAKATA RECALL LAST WEEK, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA TELLING ME THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAG. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALER (LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU, HUNTSVILLE, AL) SAYS THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I THINK THAT LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU IS NOT BEING TRUTHFUL WITH ME - THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO AVO…
2009 Subaru Forester airbags problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION…
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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