NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
208 reports116,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, WHEN AN ONCOMING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND TWO OF HER CHILDREN, IN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, WHEN AN ONCOMING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND TWO OF HER CHILDREN, IN THE VEHICLE, RECEIVED CUTS AND BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. ALL THREE WERE TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS)) WAS REPAIRED BY THE SHEEHY SUBARU OF SPRINGFIELD DEALER (70- 957-1623, LOCATED AT 6571 BACKLICK ROAD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA ODI #11232730
69,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Structure
IN SEPTEMBER 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON MY 2014 OUTBACK BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS MEANS PASSENGERS CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT FOR FREE, BUT THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME HALF OFF. THEN TODAY (JULY 1…
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IN SEPTEMBER 2017, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON MY 2014 OUTBACK BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS MEANS PASSENGERS CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT FOR FREE, BUT THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME HALF OFF. THEN TODAY (JULY 10, 2019) I DISCOVERED THAT THE SAME DOOR ON MY 2009 IMPREZA IS HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE SWITCH CAN STILL MOVE FROM LOCKED TO FREE, BUT THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I THINK SUBARU HAS A DEFECTIVE CHILD SAFETY LOCK THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #11230806
60,097 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR NOT ALLOWING YOU TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT WILL GO BACK INTO GEAR SHIFTING INTO GEAR EXTREMELY HARD. NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11228647
120,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
AS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL, WE HAD THE AIRBAGS ON OUR 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON MAY 8, 2019. ON MAY 22, 2019, WE WERE SITTING AT A CITY STOPLIGHT WHEN WE WERE HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER GOING 40-50 MPH. IN SPITE OF A DIRECT HIT TO THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR 2014 SUBARU …
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AS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL, WE HAD THE AIRBAGS ON OUR 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON MAY 8, 2019. ON MAY 22, 2019, WE WERE SITTING AT A CITY STOPLIGHT WHEN WE WERE HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER GOING 40-50 MPH. IN SPITE OF A DIRECT HIT TO THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN WE NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO DID THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAILED AIRBAGS, THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11222307
93,880 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK AND DRAGGED THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BRUSH AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK AND DRAGGED THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BRUSH AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,880.
NHTSA ODI #11218011
40,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND WARNING TONE SOUND WHEN OCCUPANT IS IN SEAT AND CAR IS MOVING. BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES. THE SEAT BELT LATCH WAS REPLACED, OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR REPLACED, SEAT WAS REPLACED. SENSORS RECALIBRATED BY DEALER. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND WE'RE NOW TOLD IT CAN'T BE FIXED. DEALER WILL NOT SAY IF TH…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND WARNING TONE SOUND WHEN OCCUPANT IS IN SEAT AND CAR IS MOVING. BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES. THE SEAT BELT LATCH WAS REPLACED, OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR REPLACED, SEAT WAS REPLACED. SENSORS RECALIBRATED BY DEALER. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND WE'RE NOW TOLD IT CAN'T BE FIXED. DEALER WILL NOT SAY IF THE AIRBAGS WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. CAR IS ESSENTIALLY UNDRIVEABLE AS THE WARNING TONE IS CONSTANT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND SAFETY SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED.
NHTSA ODI #11217518
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
SUNROOF DRAINS CLOG CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO CAR. THIS OCCURS WHEN RAINING OR WASHING CAR. INTERIOR WINDOWS BECOME VERY FOGGY AND OFTEN TIMES IT IS NECESSARY TO WIPE THEM DOWN WITH A CLOTH. DEALER WAS WILLING TO REMOVE STANDING WATER FROM CAR AND SEATS AS A "ONE TIME COURTESY" AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CLEAR DRAINS DURI…
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SUNROOF DRAINS CLOG CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO CAR. THIS OCCURS WHEN RAINING OR WASHING CAR. INTERIOR WINDOWS BECOME VERY FOGGY AND OFTEN TIMES IT IS NECESSARY TO WIPE THEM DOWN WITH A CLOTH. DEALER WAS WILLING TO REMOVE STANDING WATER FROM CAR AND SEATS AS A "ONE TIME COURTESY" AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CLEAR DRAINS DURING EACH CAR SERVICE PERFORMED BY THEM. RECENTLY HAD THE DRAINS CLEANED, WE HAVE HAD 4 FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS SINCE THEN AND WATER CONTINUES TO LEAK INTO THE INTERIOR (BOTH WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO SUBARU BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE A RECALL. THIS IS CERTAINLY BOTH A SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE (VISIBILITY/MOLD/MILDEW). LEAKING HAS OCCURRED DURING THE PAST 3 YEARS, PERHAPS A BIT MORE. WE HAVE A 2006 VOLVO THAT HAS A SUNROOF AND NO LEAKS!
NHTSA ODI #11216994
22,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Visibility/wiper
SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD, BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM CENTER, WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11210595
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2019
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11208459
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2019
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER BUD CLARY CHEVROLET (1…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER BUD CLARY CHEVROLET (1030 COMMERCE AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632 (360)-423-1700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION CONNECTED. .*BF AIRBAG WAS REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11206590
Official recalls
10Jan 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.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Jan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Sep 13, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.
Sep 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Aug 1, 2013
Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
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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