NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
104 reportsClear category filter44,000 miles · Aug 14, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASHBOARD COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE DOES NOT DISPLAY PROPER INFO. 55000+ HITS IN INTERNET POINT TO BAD SOLDER JOINTS IN OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. ONCE LOOSE RESISTORS ARE RE-SOLDERED PROBLEM GOES AWAY. DEALERS ARE CHARGING UP TO $500 TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE. THIS PROBLEM OF BAD SOLDER JOINT…
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AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASHBOARD COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE DOES NOT DISPLAY PROPER INFO. 55000+ HITS IN INTERNET POINT TO BAD SOLDER JOINTS IN OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. ONCE LOOSE RESISTORS ARE RE-SOLDERED PROBLEM GOES AWAY. DEALERS ARE CHARGING UP TO $500 TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE. THIS PROBLEM OF BAD SOLDER JOINTS GOES OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A SAFETY RELATED RECALL OVER AIRBAG ISSUES WHICH EXPIRE WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES? THERE SHOULD BE NO EXPIRATION DATE ON SAFETY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622351
88,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS TO BE "OFF." I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR AND HAVE AN ELDERLY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN MY CONCERN, I SEARCHED OTHER SITES AND FOUND THAT OTHERS ARE POSTING THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS SITES. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S NOT CLEAR IF THIS MEANS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING. I CHECKED RECALL…
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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS TO BE "OFF." I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR AND HAVE AN ELDERLY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN MY CONCERN, I SEARCHED OTHER SITES AND FOUND THAT OTHERS ARE POSTING THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS SITES. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S NOT CLEAR IF THIS MEANS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING. I CHECKED RECALLS AND SEE THAT JULY 4, 2014 A RECALL WAS PUT OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN SUBARU MODELS OF YEARS 2003 AND 2004. FROM THE COMMENTS I'VE READ, PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE 2008 OUTBACK, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR 2008 OUTBACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616172
84,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,400. UPDATED 08/25/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10614524
52,080 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD BE DEFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY SUBARU AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS YEAR…
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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD BE DEFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY SUBARU AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS YEAR OUTBACK. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF AND IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555783
15,000 miles · Aug 29, 2013
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2010 DID NOT REPAIR AS THE CODE COULD NOT BE READ AND OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. NOW CONSTANTLY ON MECHANICS TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE INDICATOR CIRCUIT ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR.
NHTSA ODI #10537950
43,284 miles · Aug 18, 2013
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND STAYED ON UPON DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (PERRY SUBARU IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA), WHO SAID THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG INDICATOR ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THIS PART. A NEW AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE (PART…
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THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND STAYED ON UPON DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (PERRY SUBARU IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA), WHO SAID THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG INDICATOR ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THIS PART. A NEW AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE (PART NO. 92151AG13AOR) WAS PURCHASED BY THE OWNER AND INSTALLED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $364.40. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND OTHER MODEL YEAR SUBARUS FOR THE SAME AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE NTSB SHOULD INVESTIGATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535963
89,300 miles · Aug 10, 2013
Air Bags
AFTER BUYING CAR NOTICED AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON WHILE DRIVING HOME. BEING A SAFETY ISSUE I STARTED INVESTIGATING. LOOKS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON. MAY BE ENOUGH FOR A RECALL. JUST WANTED TO REPORT IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. DEALER SAID SHOP DID NOT NOTICE LIGHT DURING THEIR INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534660
85,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10496109
2,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEARLY NEW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, RENDERING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT THE DEALER SAID NO FAULT CODE WAS FOUND. IN DECEMBER 2012 THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON CONTINUOUSLY. I BROUGHT I…
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SINCE THE CAR WAS NEARLY NEW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY, RENDERING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT THE DEALER SAID NO FAULT CODE WAS FOUND. IN DECEMBER 2012 THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON CONTINUOUSLY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND SERVICE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE LIGHT IN THE MAPLIGHT MODULE, AND IF SOMETHING IN THE MODULE GOES BAD THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING. CONSEQUENTLY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MAPLIGHT CONSOLE AT A COST OF $510 ($110 TO READ THE CODE PLUS $400 FOR THE LIGHT MODULE) TO FIX A DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SUBARU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491450
138,000 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT( OFF) STAYS OFF. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR COOLANT FLUSH. I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE ISSUE HE STATED THAT IT IS IN THE MAPLIGHT AND IF THE LIGHT BURNS OUT THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH WILL LIGHT UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SO MEANING AS CONSUMER I H…
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AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT( OFF) STAYS OFF. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR COOLANT FLUSH. I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE ISSUE HE STATED THAT IT IS IN THE MAPLIGHT AND IF THE LIGHT BURNS OUT THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH WILL LIGHT UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SO MEANING AS CONSUMER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MAPLIGHT CONSOLE AND PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN SUBARU ISSUE OR MORE FAULT IN DESIGN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478875
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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