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 ↗2011 Subaru Forester airbags problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 29 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 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 29 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.
Airbags accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
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 most common complaint by far is the Takata airbag recall. Starting around 2016, owners received notices that the front passenger airbag was unsafe and needed replacement (campaigns 16V358000, 19V009000, and related campaigns). The problem: Subaru and dealers had no parts available. Owners called for appointments, were placed on waiting lists with no estimated dates, or were told to return months later. Subaru's customer service line became notorious—callers waited an hour or more, got disconnected, and could not request callbacks. Email inquiries went unanswered. Some dealers admitted they had not even been told to place customers on lists, forcing owners to discover they needed to call in the first place or be forgotten. Meanwhile, recall notices warned owners not to let anyone sit in the front passenger seat due to safety risk, but Subaru could not explain when—or if—replacement parts would arrive.
One owner reported that their horn became stuck sounding continuously while driving and even after the engine shut off; diagnosis revealed a defective airbag-horn switch requiring airbag and switch replacement. Subaru covered that cost, but the module had to be truck-shipped, causing delay and expense.
A separate complaint described an occupancy sensor in the passenger airbag system malfunctioning intermittently, causing warning lights and messages that the passenger airbag was off; the dealer quoted a $2,000-plus seat replacement as the only remedy.
One owner experienced unintended acceleration during a parking-lot maneuver with no brake or throttle input; the vehicle hit another car hard enough to push it over a concrete barrier, and the airbag deployed. The owner discarded the vehicle despite having 11 months left on the lease.
Same Subaru Forester airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag recall—chronic parts shortage and scheduling delays
Owners received recall notices (campaigns 16V358000, 19V009000, and others) directing them to replace front passenger airbags due to Takata defect, but replacement parts were chronically unavailable for months or longer. Dealers could not schedule repairs or offered dates months in the future. Subaru customer service was unresponsive, failed to proactively place customers on waiting lists, and offered no estimated timelines. Owners were prohibited from using the front passenger seat but left in limbo.
When: 2016–2019 period; recall notices issued but parts shortage ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to schedule recall repair appointment; Told replacement parts unavailable, no estimated arrival date; Subaru customer service unresponsive by phone and email; Long waiting lists; dealers unable to provide firm repair dates; Passenger seat unsafe for use per recall notice, but no resolution timeline
Codes mentioned: 16V358000, 19V009000, 14V830000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag modules needed; parts backordered until months/years unspecified. Subaru covered cost of replacement airbag and horn-switch in one instance (complaint #3) but no general buyback or loaner program materialized despite recall notices mentioning alternative transportation options.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaigns 16V358000, 19V009000, 12V099000, and others issued; parts distribution failures and delayed availability noted in multiple dealer communications; court case cited in one complaint as reason to delay repairs until October.
Airbag-horn circuit malfunction—unplanned replacement
Horn started sounding continuously and would not shut off while vehicle was moving through a parking lot. The horn continued even after engine shutdown; required fuse removal to stop. Diagnosis revealed defective airbag-horn switch and required replacement of both the airbag module and switch. No impact or collision preceded the failure.
When: Low mileage, 2011 Forester; timing relative to vehicle age not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Horn alarm continuous and inoperative (would not shut off); Horn sounded while vehicle moving and after engine shutdown; Airbag-horn switch failure
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag module and airbag-horn switch required; parts truck-shipped to customer location; repair completed quickly once parts arrived. Subaru covered cost of replacement airbag and switch, no charge to customer.
Passenger airbag occupancy sensor malfunction
Passenger-side airbag warning light illuminates intermittently when a passenger is seated and vehicle is moving; companion message indicates passenger airbag is off. Dealer diagnosed as defective weight sensors requiring full seat replacement at cost exceeding $2,000. Owner noted that newer Subaru models have had the sensors recalled and requested recall extension to this vehicle.
When: Older 2011 Forester, timing of symptom onset not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light comes on intermittently; Seatbelt warning message accompanies airbag warning; Message light indicates passenger airbag is off when passenger seated
Repairs/costs cited: Entire seat replacement quoted at cost exceeding $2,000. Owner deemed repair not cost-effective for what appears to be defective occupancy sensors.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Newer Subaru models have had occupancy sensors recalled; owner requests recall extension to 2011 Forester.
Unintended acceleration with airbag deployment
Vehicle accelerated on its own while being pulled out of a parking space with no driver input to accelerator or brake pedal. Car crossed parking lot and struck a parked vehicle head-on with sufficient force to push the struck vehicle over a concrete barrier. Driver airbag deployed on impact. Damage to subject vehicle $10,000; struck vehicle totaled. Engine remained running after collision until manually shut off. Insurance company and body shop inspectors reviewed vehicle codes post-repair but narratives do not state findings.
When: Low mileage vehicle, timing relative to age/purchase unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated without driver pedal input; Continued acceleration across parking lot; Engine remained running after collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was repaired and later inspected by State Farm safety director and body shop inspector who reviewed computer codes; owner discarded vehicle with 11 months remaining on lease due to loss of trust.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 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. Parts…
Takata recall. My Subaru dealer is telling me that the replacement parts / air bag is not available until end of year. They directed me to their 1-800 number but I keep on being place on hold and can't get thru. I have a family of 4 and it's been extremely inconvenient to not be able to have sit a front passenger. When will the parts be available? What are my rights as a vehicle owner? Is…
Takata recall no response from Subaru. I cannot have a front seat passanger-possible injury or death. What can I do?
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 29 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 35,088 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2011/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.