2002 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 74

When the SRS side airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly loud inflation noise will be heard and some smoke will be released. These occurrences are normal result of the deployment. This smoke does not indicate a fire in the vehicle. The SRS side airbag is designed to deploy in the event of an accident involving a moderate to severe side impact collision. It is basically not designed to deploy in lesser side impacts. Also, it is basically not designed to deploy in frontal or rear impacts because SRS side airbag deployment would not help the occupant in those situations. Each SRS side airbag is designed to function on a one-time-only basis. SRS side airbag deployment depends on the level of force experienced in the passenger compartment during a side impact collision. That level differs from one type of collision to another, and it may have no bearing on the visible damage done to the vehicle itself. n Example of the type of accident in which the SRS side airbag will most likely deploy. A severe side impact near the front seat activates the SRS side airbag. HB0313 1-46