SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004- 2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Subaru Forester airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Subaru Forester have filed 41 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 42,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Forester | 4 |
| 2007 Forester | 5 |
| 2008 Forester | 3 |
| 2009 Forester | 39 |
| 2010 Forester (this page) | 41 |
| 2011 Forester | 29 |
| 2012 Forester | 20 |
| 2013 Forester | 12 |
| 2014 Forester | 53 |
4crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 41 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 41 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger side frontal airbag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (certain specific vehicles only).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004- 2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Forester's airbag problems split into two categories: the Takata recall delay crisis and actual failure events.
The Recall Mess: Starting in June–July 2016, Subaru issued recall notices (campaigns 16V358000, 17V014000, 19V009000) for defective Takata passenger-side airbags. Every notice instructed owners not to allow front-seat passengers until repair. The catch: replacement parts didn't exist. Dealers had no timeline for availability. Owners waited 6–12+ months, some with appointments scheduled 7 months out. Subaru promised September, November 2016, and March 2017 delivery dates—none materialized. No loaner vehicles were offered. Owners reported calling dealers repeatedly and writing Subaru of America to no avail. A few encountered dealer confusion or refusal: one dealer refused to work on the recall because of a mouse trap in the car; another wouldn't return calls; Subaru corporate allegedly refused to authorize at least one dealer to perform the repair.
Actual Failures: Three owners reported airbags that either didn't deploy or deployed catastrophically. One crash at 42k miles saw airbags deploy as shards instead of cushions, leaving the driver with a concussion and seizures. Another collision at 22k miles saw no deployment at all. A third reported an airbag that inflated to a soccer ball, popped, and went flat, providing no protection. One owner also reported broken airbag tension pins at 31k miles; Subaru denied the warranty claim. An airbag warning light appeared at 99k miles without repair completion.
Same Subaru Forester airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Recall - Indefinite Parts Unavailability & Repair Delays
Owners received recall notices (NHTSA campaigns 16V358000, 17V014000, 19V009000) for Takata passenger-side airbags but faced months-to-years-long waits because replacement parts were not available from the manufacturer. Dealers could not schedule repairs or provided appointments 3–7 months out. Owners were instructed not to allow passengers in the front seat during the waiting period, rendering the vehicle unusable as intended. Many dealers did not receive parts; when parts eventually arrived, additional wait times occurred.
When: Recalls issued June–July 2016 and later; repair delays extended 6–12+ months
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice instructing no front-seat passengers until repair; Replacement parts not available when recall issued; Dealers unable to schedule appointments or quote repair dates; No communication from manufacturer regarding parts availability timeline; Loaner vehicles not offered by dealers
Codes mentioned: 16V358000, 17V014000, 19V009000
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side airbag module replacement required; parts unavailable for extended periods; repairs delayed 3–7+ months after recall notice
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Takata recall campaigns 16V358000, 17V014000, 19V009000; Subaru initially advised parts would arrive September–November 2016 and then March 2017 but did not meet those dates; no remedy provided for repair delays or loss of vehicle functionality
Airbag Tension Pin Failure
At 31,583 miles, the airbag tension pins broke, requiring replacement of the airbag module. The failure also caused the horn to remain engaged after pressing. Subaru of America refused to cover the repair under their Gold Plus warranty, claiming it was not a covered defect.
When: 31,583 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag tension pins broken; Horn remained engaged after pressing
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag module replacement required at Don Beyer Subaru, Alexandria, Virginia; warranty claim denied by Subaru of America
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America refused to classify as covered repair under Gold Plus warranty
Airbag Deployment Failure — Collision at 22,000 Miles
Vehicle erroneously accelerated while in park, crashed into a building at approximately 22,000 miles. Airbags did not deploy on impact. Vehicle was destroyed.
When: 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy upon impact with building
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no diagnosis performed
Airbag Deployment Failure — Collision at 42,000 Miles
While driving 50 mph, owner lost consciousness; vehicle traveled into an embankment and crashed into a tree. Upon impact, airbags deployed but came out as shards and failed to protect the driver. Driver sustained concussion, seizures, and bruising. Vehicle was towed to salvage yard and destroyed. Police report filed.
When: 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed as shards instead of proper cushioning; Failed to protect occupant
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no further diagnosis available
Airbag Failure to Deploy — City Collision
Vehicle hit a parked car in the city. Airbag deployed to the size of a soccer ball, popped, and remained deflated. Curtain airbag did not open or deploy. Airbag did not reach occupant's face or provide protection. Owner sustained injuries.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed but immediately deflated to soccer-ball size; Curtain airbag did not deploy; Failed to protect occupant
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted
Airbag Warning Indicator Illumination
Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel at 99,000 miles. Dealer diagnosed that the occupant restraint module needed replacement. Vehicle was not repaired.
When: 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator illuminated on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Occupant restraint module replacement needed; repair not completed
Recall Administration Issues — VIN Verification & Dealer Confusion
Multiple owners reported discrepancies between NHTSA recall databases and dealer information systems. Some dealers stated the vehicle did not have an active recall despite the owner finding the recall listed on public databases. One owner received conflicting guidance from Subaru corporate and local dealers regarding whether the vehicle had a defective Takata airbag. Another owner reported that their dealership failed to register completed recall work, resulting in continued recall notices.
When: Recall notification period 2016–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer says no active recall; owner finds recall online; Conflicting information from corporate and dealerships; Dealership fails to register completed recall work
Codes mentioned: 16V358000
Repairs/costs cited: VIN lookup discrepancies; recall work not properly documented by some dealers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Inconsistent communication between Subaru corporate, dealerships, and owners; no centralized resolution database accessible to owners
Dealer Service Refusal & Communication Breakdown
One dealer (Gallatin Subaru, Bozeman, Montana) refused to perform the recall repair, citing a mouse trap found in the vehicle, and placed the owner on a 'do not work' list. Another dealer (Dave Wright Subaru) did not return calls to schedule repairs. One owner reported Subaru of America refused to authorize Beyer Subaru of Alexandria, Virginia to perform the stipulated safety repair.
When: During recall period 2016–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer refuses to perform recall work; Dealer does not return calls; Manufacturer refuses to authorize dealer repair
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repairs not performed due to dealer refusal or authorization denial
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America refused authorization for at least one dealer; dealers refused service without manufacturer intervention
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Takata recall -- repair delays -- how worried should I be? My 2010 Subaru forester is subject to the takata airbag recall for its front passenger airbag. My Subaru was purchased new in california in august 2010; it is registered in california; and I have driven it exclusively in the san francisco bay area, except for a week-long trip to southern california in july 2014. According to your…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru forester. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags). The part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 41 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?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 35,000 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 105,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Subaru/Forester.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.