Air Bag Not Deploy problems of the 2004 Subaru Forester

For three years, there has been a problem with the airbags light staying illuminated. According to Subaru service, the airbags will not deploy if the light is illuminated. On the last visit to the dealer, I was told that the under-seat connections for the airbags were corroded and had to be replaced at considerable expense. Since these connections are not exposed to the outside environment they should not corrode unless the equipment is defective. Since this defect represents a major safety risk, there should be a corrective recall.

The air bag dashboard light is always on. It first came on when the vehicle had about 82000 miles and at first it was intermittent. After about six weeks, it has become permanently lit when the engine is turned on. I have noted that this seems to be a problem on this model. The light does not bother me, but the fact that people have been in accidents and the airbags did not deploy does concern me greatly.

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised that one of the air bag plugs that was connected to the air bag wiring was not contacting. The contact was concerned with the possibility of being involved in a crash and the air bags potentially would not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated there was a technical service bulletin issued by the manufacturer (NHTSA item number: 10015705: air bags) but there was not a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,500.

The airbag light randomly goes on and off for periods of days at a time. This has been happening for many years. I brought it in to the Subaru dealer but they claimed it did not light up for them during their inspection. It then lit up for me on the way home and when I called the dealer from the road they would not look at it again until I made another appointment. Unfortunately I cannot assure that it will be on for them when they get the car. I later discovered that there was a Subaru technical service bulletin for this problem #17-07-04. They should have at least checked to see that this is a common problem. Further my mechanic said that when the light is on the air bags will not deploy upon impact.

: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 55mph the vehicle was involved in an accident. The air bags did not deploy. Although seatbelts were worn the two occupants sustained injuries. A police report was filed. As a result of the accident the vehicle was totaled.

While driving at 28 mph a head on collision occurred. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. One person was injured.