The 2009 Subaru Forester has 15 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The airbag issue is the subject of multiple filings covering this vehicle, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles. On the electrical side, turbocharged models have a relay that can fail and cause the secondary air injection pump to run continuously, overheat, and melt, raising the risk of a fire under the hood. Vehicles that had the ignition switch replaced with a mechanical key unit face a separate concern: a small spring inside the switch can break, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving and preventing the airbags from deploying if a crash follows. There is also a moisture-related issue with the puddle light circuit that can cause a short over time.
The restraint recalls center on seatbelts. The front seatbelt force-limiter may not function correctly in a crash, reducing how well the belt holds an occupant. In the rear center seating position, the automatic locking retractor does not meet federal lockability requirements, which means a child safety seat or booster installed there may not stay properly secured during a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seat belt assembly and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. Humidity and temperature changes can degrade the inflator's propellant over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Puddle lights under the doors can develop electrical short circuits when road spray containing salt penetrates the light's circuit board or connector pins.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional fused harness to protect the puddle light circuit from moisture damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center rear seatbelt's automatic locking retractor may not secure a child restraint or booster seat properly and could loosen during normal driving, allowing the seat to shift and become mispositioned.
What the fix does
Subaru will send a locking clip and instructions. Dealers will replace the center seatbelt retractor if requested.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic locking retractor in the rear center seat belt doesn't lock properly, preventing secure installation of a child restraint in that seating position.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a modified automatic locking retractor at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
