This bulletin announces availability of the one-time use mounting clip and spacer clip for the air bag curtain module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Subaru Forester airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the airbags 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 →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Forester | 92 |
| 2016 Forester | 86 |
| 2017 Forester | 147 |
| 2018 Forester | 85 |
| 2019 Forester (this page) | 14 |
| 2020 Forester | 9 |
| 2022 Forester | 4 |
| 2023 Forester | 6 |
8crashes
1fire
10injuries
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.
This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information bulletin serves a quick reminder to always perform the Clear Memory function of the Airbag system using the Subaru Select Monitor 4 after replacement of any airbag system sensor. Failure to do so will most likely result in the sensor-related DTC(s) remaining in memory, Airbag warning light illumination and possible unnecessary component replacement. Clearing DTCs after a repair then confirming codes do not return is the most effective method of verifying a proper repair and should always be performed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Subaru Foresters describe four distinct airbag and restraint problems. Most serious are multiple reports of complete airbag failure to deploy during crashes. Five crash narratives detail severe impacts—rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, head-on barriers—where airbags did not fire despite damage significant enough to disable the vehicles or cause occupant injuries requiring hospitalization and CT scans. One crash resulted in post-impact engine fire with total vehicle loss; another involved a sudden acceleration event that sent the vehicle through a field and into trees, with airbags failing to protect occupants.
A separate recurring issue involves passenger-side airbag occupant detection: the system fails to consistently register lighter passengers (100 lbs, 5 feet tall) even with seatbelt buckled and occupant present, detecting the passenger only about 50 percent of the time. Multiple owners report the passenger airbag "off" light staying illuminated continuously, appearing as early as day 4 of ownership. Dealers state the system works as designed but will not provide occupant-weight threshold specifications.
A third category covers intermittent SRS warning lights and broader electrical issues with multiple warning lights (EyeSight, brake, check engine, airbag, lane assist) illuminating randomly and disabling safety features. One owner reported the SRS light triggering after horn use.
One narrative notes a defective seat-bottom occupant detector sensor that disabled the entire airbag system, discovered via Starlink notification to the dealer.
Same Subaru Forester airbags reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags fail to deploy in crash impact
In multiple reported crashes with significant front-end, side, or rear impact damage, airbags did not deploy despite collision severity that should have triggered deployment.
When: During reported crashes at various mileages (13,099 to 71,400 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite front-end impact; No airbag deployment despite rear-end collision; No airbag deployment despite multi-vehicle accident; Extensive vehicle damage without airbag activation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to collision centers or dealers; not repaired or diagnosis pending
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One manufacturer inspection (Narrative #3) concluded airbags were functioning properly; no recalls or TSBs cited in narratives
Passenger-side airbag occupant detection failure
Passenger airbag system fails to consistently detect occupants in the seat, particularly lighter passengers. Detection is intermittent; airbag light remains illuminated even with passenger present and seatbelt buckled.
When: On stationary vehicle during testing; noted as early as day 4 of ownership (600 miles in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag 'off' light remains illuminated with passenger in seat and seatbelt buckled; Airbag detection intermittent (approximately 50% of the time); Detection fails for lighter passengers (100 lbs, 5' tall); Additional weight sometimes triggers detection, but not consistently
Codes mentioned: Passenger airbag off light, SRS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service states system is functioning as designed; will not provide threshold weight specifications
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim system is functioning as designed; no TSBs or recall information provided
SRS/airbag warning light malfunction
SRS warning light illuminates intermittently or persistently, sometimes triggered by horn activation or appearing without clear cause. Light may or may not clear after engine restart.
When: Intermittent; one instance triggered by horn honking
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light illuminates after horn activation; Warning light clears after engine restart but recurs with horn use; Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously (EyeSight disabled, brake, check engine, airbag, lane assist); Warning lights come on and off randomly
Codes mentioned: SRS warning light, EyeSight disabled indicator, Airbag warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced windshield wiper for $30 thinking that was the cause; light behavior continued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recalls mentioned; dealer appointment scheduled for one case
Airbag system disabled due to seat sensor defect
Passenger-side airbag system completely disabled due to defective seat bottom occupant detector sensor.
When: Detected via Starlink notification to dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Entire airbag system disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Seat bottom detector sensor defective
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 22,000 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/2019/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.