2003 Subaru Forester Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026

20Air Bags complaints

10.6%Of all 189 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE29 · 15.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM26 · 13.8%

AIR BAGS20 · 10.6%

SUSPENSION19 · 10.1%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 · 7.9%

Share of the 189 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Subaru Forester overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…”NHTSA complaint 10491465 — filed 01/04/2013

“AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR IN THE SHOP, STILL REMAINS ON.”NHTSA complaint 10466580 — filed 07/19/2012

“2003 SUBARU FORESTER. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE HARNESS WIRES WERE CORRODED AND REQUIRED HARNESS REPAIR. SUBARU PARENT…”NHTSA complaint 10462559 — filed 06/21/2012

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Subaru Forester have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Subaru Forester: 20 of 189 complaints on file (10.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Subaru Forester have in total?

189 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.