1998 Subaru Forester Airbags Problems
5 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (5)
MY SPOUSE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE FRONTAL IMPACT CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN IT DEPLOYED BROKE THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) DOOR WINDOW AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. NO ONE WAS SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MAY BE A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR ALIGNED. *NLM
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY.*AK
THERE IS A FOUR (4) INCH LONG SEAM DEVELOPING ON DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. *AK THE LOWER SEAM OF COVER WHICH COULD BLOW OUT IF AIR BAG DEPLOYS WAS BEING REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *YH
STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG COVER HAS SPLIT; A SUBARU 3YR/36K WARRANTY ITEM; IF CAR WERE IN CRASH, WOULDN'T THE AIRBAG POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY BY INFLATING OUT OF THE TORN AIRBAG COVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL? CANNOT REPLACE JUST THE COVER; WILL COST $1000+/- TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND COVER. SHOULDN'T THE ORIGINAL DRIVER AIRBAG ASSEMBLY BE A SEATBELT-LIKE WARRANTY ITEM? THE PLASTIC COVER SPLITS, THE AIRBAG COULD INJURE IN A WAY NOT EXPECTED, AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE A WARRANTY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.*AK
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING VEHICLE COLLISION. YH