NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
104 reportsClear category filter71,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System
I'M UPDATING MY 2/3/15 COMPLAINT 10680982. I CONTACTED SUBARU DIRECTLY ON THE SAME DAY AND INCLUDED A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT I FILED WITH NHTSA AND MY BILL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OVERHEAD AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. IN THE REPORT THE SUBARU TECH SAID THE UNIT WAS SHORTING OUT, SHOWING CODE "26 FOR PASSENGER?S AIRBAG INDICATOR FAI…
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I'M UPDATING MY 2/3/15 COMPLAINT 10680982. I CONTACTED SUBARU DIRECTLY ON THE SAME DAY AND INCLUDED A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT I FILED WITH NHTSA AND MY BILL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OVERHEAD AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. IN THE REPORT THE SUBARU TECH SAID THE UNIT WAS SHORTING OUT, SHOWING CODE "26 FOR PASSENGER?S AIRBAG INDICATOR FAILURE AND S8 AIRBAG LIGHT ON." I ALSO GAVE SUBARU MY TALLY OF MY FIRST CURSORY SEARCH OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS DATABASE ON THE WORD "AIRBAG" FOR ALL MODELS OF SUBARU FROM 2000 TO PRESENT. THE SEARCH RESULTED IN 145 COMPLAINTS. AFTER I LOOKED THROUGH THE FIRST 60 COMPLAINTS I FOUND 45 OF THEM THAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM - THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OVERHEAD INDICATOR GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE ACROSS EVERY MODEL OF SUBARU AND YEARS FROM 2003 TO 2013. MY 2008 OUTBACK HAD THE MOST COMPLAINTS - 13. OTHER SEARCHES FOR DIFFERENT KEY WORDS AND SPELLINGS OF AIRBAG RESULTED IN MANY HUNDREDS OF RESULTS, TOO MANY FOR YOUR DATABASE TO DISPLAY, PROBABLY MANY OF THEM WERE ABOUT THE RECENT AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE. SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY AND ON 2/12/15 THEY PROMISED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ENTIRE $352, THE TOTAL COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE MODULE. I URGE ALL SUBARU OWNERS TO TEST THEIR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS AND THOSE WITH PROBLEMS TO LODGE A FORMAL NHTSA COMPLAINT AND REPORT IT TO SUBARU. SINCE THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK WHEN THE LIGHT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM! ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA WILL HELP PRESSURE SUBARU TO FINALLY LET ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED OWNERS KNOW ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683065
64,100 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY ON DASH AND OVERHEAD. NOT SURE AIRBAGS ARE WORKING. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682393
69,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK, NOT SURE UNDER WHAT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. DEALER SERVICE SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE MODULE DUE TO SHORTING AND CHARGED ME $350. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAD SOLVED THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMPLY S…
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AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK, NOT SURE UNDER WHAT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. DEALER SERVICE SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE MODULE DUE TO SHORTING AND CHARGED ME $350. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAD SOLVED THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMPLY SOLDERING THE CONNECTION FOR ALMOST NO COST. DEALER SERVICE NEVER OFFERED TO TRY SOLDERING, ONLY WARNED ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T WORK WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. THE SHEER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED AND SUBJECT DISCUSSIONS ONLINE SHOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PREDICTABLE AND COULD BE SOLVED CHEAPLY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUBARU HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE MONEY OWNERS HAVE SPENT ON THIS AVOIDABLE AND SIMPLE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680982
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2015
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CURED; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COST IT HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE PART USED IS THE PRIMARY CULPRIT AND REGRETTABLY HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN SUBARU VEHICLES ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEA…
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CURED; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COST IT HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE PART USED IS THE PRIMARY CULPRIT AND REGRETTABLY HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN SUBARU VEHICLES ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. SUBARU THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RESPOND RESPONSIBLY; ERGO, NHTSA ACTION IS NEEDED TO BRING SUBARU TO TASK AND COMPLIANCE TO ENSURE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS ARE PERFORMED FOR SAFE DEPLOYMENT OF ALL SUBARU CABIN AIR BAGS. WHEN WORKING PROPERLY, AIR BAGS SAVE LIVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669760
55,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
DASH AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG. DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT CAN ONLY FIX BY TRIAL AND ERROR REPLACING (EXPENSIVE) COMPONENTS. IT HAPPENS MOST ON COLD WET WEATHER DAYS, OFTEN GOES OFF WHEN CAR WARMED UP, SO PROBABLY ELECTRICAL. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS NOW, STILL HAPPENING AT…
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DASH AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG. DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT CAN ONLY FIX BY TRIAL AND ERROR REPLACING (EXPENSIVE) COMPONENTS. IT HAPPENS MOST ON COLD WET WEATHER DAYS, OFTEN GOES OFF WHEN CAR WARMED UP, SO PROBABLY ELECTRICAL. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS NOW, STILL HAPPENING AT 105,000 MILES. MANY MANY EXAMPLES ON INTERNET BOARDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668661
135,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATES DUE TO A FLAWED PART IN THE SYSTEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF SUBARUS AND DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHILE THE CAR IS IN USE, A VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PART AND ITS RE…
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATES DUE TO A FLAWED PART IN THE SYSTEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF SUBARUS AND DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHILE THE CAR IS IN USE, A VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PART AND ITS REPLACEMENT ARE EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN DOES NOT GET REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. MY FEELING IS THAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE WARRANTED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REASONABLE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE FLAWED PART HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS WITH SUBARU'S FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PART IS FLAWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662444
44,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON. LIKELY DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BEHIND THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT! THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659622
67,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHEN LIGHT IS ON VEHICLE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT HANDLED BY SUBARU AS A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638394
60,000 miles · Sep 5, 2014
Air Bags
AIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON RENDERING AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. NO CRASH. FAULT IN PART. SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. WHY NO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10631141
50,500 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED THE LIGHT THAT SHOULD HAVE INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WAS NOT LIT. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS RELATED TO FAULTY WIRING IN OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE …
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED THE LIGHT THAT SHOULD HAVE INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WAS NOT LIT. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS RELATED TO FAULTY WIRING IN OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE THAT CONTAINS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATORS. I PURCHASE A NEW LIGHT CONSOLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628035
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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