NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
129 reports249,000 miles · Mar 10, 2016
Electrical SystemTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED AN INDEPENDENT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.
NHTSA ODI #10846010
121,000 miles · Mar 10, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER BEING ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER BEING ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10845952
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2016
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL.THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10840361
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10837981
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2016
Air Bags
I HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST AT MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT FOR OVER A MONTH BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED PARTS TO MAKE REPAIRS. I FEEL THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN SO I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THEM. BUT NOW I GET A LETTER FROM SUBARO NOT TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. SO NOW THEY ARE APPA…
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I HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST AT MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT FOR OVER A MONTH BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED PARTS TO MAKE REPAIRS. I FEEL THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN SO I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THEM. BUT NOW I GET A LETTER FROM SUBARO NOT TO HAVE ANYONE RIDE IN PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. SO NOW THEY ARE APPARENTLY COVERED LEGALLY BUT I CAN'T USE MY CAR SINCE I OFTEN NEED TO TRANSPORT SEVERAL CHILDREN AT ONE TIME . I AM SICK OF HEARING THE PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED NOW WITH NO EXCUSES!!!
NHTSA ODI #10837540
85,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH DISABLED THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790736
125,000 miles · Oct 20, 2015
Air Bags
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS LIT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2007 OUTBACKS DUE TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF THE OVERHEAD CHIP.
NHTSA ODI #10783750
64,200 miles · Jun 28, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper
WIRE HARNESS, THAT PASSES THROUGH RUBBER ARTICULATED GASKET THAT CONNECTS BETWEEN VEHICLE BODY AND REAR HATCH DOOR OF WAGON, SUFFERS FROM WIRE FATIGUE THAT CAUSES INDIVIDUAL WIRE INSULATORS TO CRACK AND CONDUCTING WIRES TO BREAK, LEADING TO FAILURE OF CRITICAL AUTOMOBILE SAFETY EQUIPMENT; NAMELY, REAR WIPER MOTOR, REAR BACK-UP L…
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WIRE HARNESS, THAT PASSES THROUGH RUBBER ARTICULATED GASKET THAT CONNECTS BETWEEN VEHICLE BODY AND REAR HATCH DOOR OF WAGON, SUFFERS FROM WIRE FATIGUE THAT CAUSES INDIVIDUAL WIRE INSULATORS TO CRACK AND CONDUCTING WIRES TO BREAK, LEADING TO FAILURE OF CRITICAL AUTOMOBILE SAFETY EQUIPMENT; NAMELY, REAR WIPER MOTOR, REAR BACK-UP LIGHTS, REAR MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. THIS DESIGN DEFECT HAS BE REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON YOUTUBE (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AMEKPTVGMHS) AND OUTBACK OWNERS' BULLETIN BOARD WEBSITES (HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/66-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE/20718-REAR-WIPER-DOES-NOT-RETURN-PARK-HOME-POSITION.HTML). PROBABLE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS INCLUDE: (I) ORIENTATION OF RUBBER ARTICULATED GASKET THROUGH WHICH REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS PASSES IS SUCH THAT IT CAUSES UNDUE FLEXING OF WIRE HARNESS WIRES UPON OPEN / CLOSE SEQUENCE OF REAR TAILGATE, AND (2) DEFECTIVE AND/OR UNDERSIZED WIRE HARNESS WIRES UNABLE TO WITHSTAND THE OPEN / CLOSE SEQUENCE OF REAR TAIL GATE.
NHTSA ODI #10730827
990,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Air Bags
AIRBAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME, BUT NOW BLEEPS ALMOST CONTINUALLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER (ST. JOHNSBURY, VT) AND FOR APPROX. $280 THEY TRIED TO FIX IT. WHEN THIS DID NOT WORK, THEY SAID WE NEED TO CAME BACK AND PAY A FURTHER $500++ TO FIX THIS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE…
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AIRBAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME, BUT NOW BLEEPS ALMOST CONTINUALLY. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER (ST. JOHNSBURY, VT) AND FOR APPROX. $280 THEY TRIED TO FIX IT. WHEN THIS DID NOT WORK, THEY SAID WE NEED TO CAME BACK AND PAY A FURTHER $500++ TO FIX THIS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ ON-LINE THAT THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY SOLDERING OF THE OVERHEAD CHIP FOR THE AIRBAGS. $780++ SEEMS LIKE A BIG EXPENSE FOR A SAFETY ITEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFE SPAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713439
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2015
Air BagsStructure
DRIVER'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS WILL CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THE SAME ISSUE IS ONGOING FOR MANY 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK MODELS. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF THE OVERHEAD CHIP FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXT…
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DRIVER'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS WILL CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THE SAME ISSUE IS ONGOING FOR MANY 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK MODELS. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF THE OVERHEAD CHIP FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701634
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 ↗