NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
46 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 15, 2025
Air Bags
The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to possible damage to the dashboard while replacing the air bags. The vehicle was not di…
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The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to possible damage to the dashboard while replacing the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11680936
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2021
Air Bags
A couple of months ago I noticed the airbag lamp stayed on after starting my car. After I had parked and later restarted the car, the airbag light went off as normal. A month or so later the airbag light again stayed on after starting the car. I also noticed that the passenger airbag indicator (on or off) didn’t seem to be work…
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A couple of months ago I noticed the airbag lamp stayed on after starting my car. After I had parked and later restarted the car, the airbag light went off as normal. A month or so later the airbag light again stayed on after starting the car. I also noticed that the passenger airbag indicator (on or off) didn’t seem to be working. It didn’t say “on” or “off”. It only said “Passenger”. I took it to the dealer and they diagnosed it and said I needed a new overhead lamp assembly that would cost $400 installed. They said it would take several days (it took over 2 weeks) to get the part. In the meantime, they could not tell me whether the airbag system would function properly in an accident. The part was ordered and I kept driving the car, hoping the airbag light wouldn’t stay on which was very stressful. The repair was finally made today and appears to be functioning properly. After some online research, I found out that this is a known issue with these cars. There is a soldered connection inside the overhead lamp assembly that was either improperly or insufficiently soldered or used defective solder. People have videos posted online of them taking the assembly apart and re-soldering the connection which appears to resolve the issue. I wasn’t comfortable doing that since properly functioning airbags are a critical safety component. I believe that Subaru either knows about this or should know. I would bet they have fixed this issue on newer vehicles. But lots of these vehicles still on the road.
NHTSA ODI #11444170
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2021
Air BagsSeat Belts
The Airbag light on my dash was lighting intermittently. I called Kendall Subaru here in Fairbanks, AK and was told I shouldn't drive the car as such a light indicated a problem with my airbags and that even a low level bump could set them off or that they might not function at all in a major accident. I scheduled an appointme…
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The Airbag light on my dash was lighting intermittently. I called Kendall Subaru here in Fairbanks, AK and was told I shouldn't drive the car as such a light indicated a problem with my airbags and that even a low level bump could set them off or that they might not function at all in a major accident. I scheduled an appointment to have this problem diagnosed. They told me there was a fault in the wiring and that I'd have to have the passenger seat indicator replaced. I have done some online research and found that there are several instances of faulty soldering in the wiring for the indicator. This would seem to me to be a reason for Subaru to issue a safety recall as a pot hole hit could set this thing off or people could get killed because the airbag didn't deploy! Kendall told me that they didn't have the part in stock. It would be in in 7-10 days. That was a month ago. I have noticed that since my vehicle was in for diagnosis, that the light has only come on whe the car is started, like it's supposed to!
NHTSA ODI #11437275
200,000 miles · Mar 24, 2021
Air Bags
WAS TOLD TO COME HERE TO RENDER A COMPLAINT. THEY WANT ME TO TRAVEL 4HRS THERE AND 4HRS BACK TO GET RECALL DONE. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO GET THIS DONE. AND I DON'T BELIVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT 8HRS OF WEAR AND TEAR ON MY VEHICLE FOR A SAFETY RECALL WHICH IS THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #11404616
158,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
AS I'M DRIVING MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND CRUISE CONTROL GETS DISCONNECTED ONE DAY IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT DAY IT WON'T
NHTSA ODI #11348382
97,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Air Bags
2007 SUBARU OUTBACK AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR NO CHARGE. PLEASE ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON UNDER ALL CONDITIONS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11308638
308,000 miles · Feb 1, 2020
Air BagsElectrical System
I BOUGHT THE 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK LL BEAN NEW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS TIME I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ONE. THE SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD ARE FAULTY, CAUSING LOOSE CONNECTIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION …
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I BOUGHT THE 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK LL BEAN NEW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS TIME I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ONE. THE SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD ARE FAULTY, CAUSING LOOSE CONNECTIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA MANY TIMES BY OTHER OWNERS. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS CURRENTLY A SECOND RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS THEMSELVES, BUT NOT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS DOES THERE HAVE TO BE FOR YOU TO DEMAND A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?
NHTSA ODI #11306494
120,000 miles · Jan 25, 2020
Air Bags
RED AIRBAG WARNING IS INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED ON DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALSO SHOWN AS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CAR CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11301882
162,000 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System
WE HAVE EXPERIENCE A MULTITUDE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE LL BEAN VERSION OF THE 2207 OUTBACK. MOST RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON CONSISTENTLY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A REPORTED ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH THE LIGHT ON, IT IS COSTLY TO REPAIR OVER $400 + DIAGNOSTIC OF $115. SE…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCE A MULTITUDE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE LL BEAN VERSION OF THE 2207 OUTBACK. MOST RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON CONSISTENTLY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A REPORTED ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH THE LIGHT ON, IT IS COSTLY TO REPAIR OVER $400 + DIAGNOSTIC OF $115. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, IT WOULD COM EON INTERMITTENTLY, NO IT REMAINS ON 100% OF THE TIME. I COMMUTE 100 MILES EACH DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK ON A TWO-LANE, RURAL HIGHWAY AND WORRY I NEED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE SOONER THAN LATER DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ONLY PASSING THE SAFETY ISSUE TO A NEW OWNER. THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE SUBARU'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX AS THERE ARE MANY THAT CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A FIX AND IS NOT REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THIS SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE. NOT SURE IF I WOULD BUY A SUBARU AGAIN AFTER OWNING THIS ONE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE REAR WIRE HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE REAR DEFROSTER, ETC. $800 TO REPLACE THIS AFTER WE HAD DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETED DURING OUR LAST TUNE UP. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE ARE MANY FAULTY ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY ISSUES THAT WERE NOT OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY - MAYBE A TAPING OR SOLDERING ISSUE. HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T SPARK AND START A FIRE....
NHTSA ODI #11233105
97,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Air BagsInterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE MAP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO TURN OFF. LIBERTY AUTO CITY SUBARU (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-3800) CONF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE MAP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO TURN OFF. LIBERTY AUTO CITY SUBARU (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-3800) CONFIRMED THAT THE MAP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO TURN OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *AS
NHTSA ODI #11209770
Official recalls
8Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
May 28, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Jun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Mar 27, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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