NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
25 reportsClear category filter49,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Air Bags
THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON INDICATING THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. IT USED TO GO OUT ON ITS OWN BUT NOW IT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. SUBARU HAS DIAGNOSED AND TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE COMPONENT. WHEN THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.…
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THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON INDICATING THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. IT USED TO GO OUT ON ITS OWN BUT NOW IT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. SUBARU HAS DIAGNOSED AND TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE COMPONENT. WHEN THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576331
59,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Air Bags
MY 2008 SUBARU LEGACY WITH 59K MILES WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AT RANDOM TIMES WITH NO PATTERN OR REASONS. THE MANUAL ADVISES TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY CHECKED OUT TO FIND REASONS THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE WARNING LIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEAL…
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MY 2008 SUBARU LEGACY WITH 59K MILES WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AT RANDOM TIMES WITH NO PATTERN OR REASONS. THE MANUAL ADVISES TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY CHECKED OUT TO FIND REASONS THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE WARNING LIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY OVER HEAD MAP CONSOLE LIGHT CLUSTER NEAR THE SUNROOF CONTROLS. THE OFFICIAL PART THAT HAS A SHORT OR FAULTY WIRING IS PART # 84621AG51A. I ONLY NEED THE AIRBAG WIRING BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE ENTIRE OVERHEAD CLUSTER IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE JUST AN AIRBAG WIRING REPLACEMENT PART. THE TOTAL COST TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM BACK TO WORKING ORDER WAS $294.00 COMPLETE. I HAVE RAN AN INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE AND THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON. IT SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR SUBARU TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM BE DISABLED BY A FAULTY CRAPPY SOLDERING JOB IN THE OVER HEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521115
80,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512268
76,505 miles · Feb 9, 2013
Air Bags
I OWN AN 08 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5I SEDAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 77000 MILES ON IT. AT APPROX. 76000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MAIN DASH CLUSTER. REFERRING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, ALL IT SAID WAS THAT THIS LIGHT INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THAT THE SYSTEM MAY NOT ALLOW THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AT ALL…
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I OWN AN 08 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5I SEDAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 77000 MILES ON IT. AT APPROX. 76000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MAIN DASH CLUSTER. REFERRING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, ALL IT SAID WAS THAT THIS LIGHT INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THAT THE SYSTEM MAY NOT ALLOW THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AT ALL DURING A COLLISION, OR MAY DEPLOY WITH EVEN A LIGHT COLLISION. IT RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER I HAVE ALWAYS HAD SERVICE DONE, AND THEY TOLD ME THE "LAMP ASSEMBLY - MAP" HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IT AND NEEDED REPLACED. AN "ELECTRICAL SHORT"? THAT SOUNDS VERY SERIOUS. WITH PARTS AND LABOR, THE COST CAME IN AT $389.30, WHICH SEEMED QUITE EXCESSIVE. AS CRITICAL AS AIRBAG SYSTEMS ARE, IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO THINK THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD WARRANT A SAFETY RECALL, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE WARNING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT THE SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION AT ALL IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ALSO, THE SERVICE AGENT I SPOKE WITH AT THE DEALER SAID THERE HAVE BEEN A "HANDFUL" OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, AND TREATED THE SITUATION AS ROUTINE....LIKE AN OIL CHANGE OR FILTER REPLACEMENT. I ALSO OWN A 07 TOYOTA RAV 4, WHICH HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ISSUED FOR SEEMINGLY MUCH LESS CRITICAL ISSUES. ALL OF THEM WERE TAKEN CARE OF BY TOYOTA. I WROTE A SIMILAR LETTER TO SUBARU AMERICA, EXPLAINING THAT, GIVEN THIS ISSUE, I WOULD HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER SUBARU VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497584
83,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD MOSTLY ILLUMINATE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE OCCUPANCY AIR BAG MODULE WOULD …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD MOSTLY ILLUMINATE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE OCCUPANCY AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 12/13/12*LJ UPDATED 12/13/12
NHTSA ODI #10485195
Official recalls
9Jan 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.
Sep 11, 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
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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