2023 Subaru Wrx

The failing component system is the drivers side impact airbags. Subaru of America did their own inspection and has listed their findings in an email (it can be forwarded to you if needed). The vehicle is currently at a collision center appointed by our insurance company but has not yet been inspected there. Our vehicle sat at NEW MOTORS dealership so that Subaru of America could do their investigation. They had our vehicle for 50 days to do this inspection (no repairs). Yes our safety could potentially be at risk as the airbag system deployed while the car was not moving/running in our driveway. We were standing outside of the vehicle both front doors were open when the back driver side door was closed causing the airbags to deploy. Subaru found that the seatbelt had been shut in the door causing airbag deployment. We argue this finding due to the fact that the seatbelt was buckled at the time so that the seatbelt bell alarm was not going to go off as we drove with our bloodhound in the back seat. A 80+ lb bloodhound would cause the fasten seatbelt alarm to go off while driving. There was no warning or failures prior to the deployment. The problem has not been reproduced as far as we know. Everyone that we have talked to does not understand what would have caused this. (other than subaru that made their findings). There are pictures in the email that show the minimal damage to the seatbelt latch and a small scuff in the paint in the door jam of our 3 year old car. There is not a dent in the jam or breakage in the plastic of the seatbelt. They claim that the door shut and latched with the seatbelt in it. We feel this should have caused additional damage if this is the case. But as stated above the seatbelt was buckled at the time. When the seatbelt was unbuckled it was retracted with no slack. As it sits now there is slack and belt is locked due to me unbuckling it to remove blankets covering the seat to keep it free of dog hair.

I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older Subaru of the person who collided with me went off and mine did not. Surprisingly. My head was slammed against the B pillar and a small bruise on my leg. Insurance is saying my car is totaled. With an accident of that magnitude, my air bags should have deployed. If I was going any faster, I most likely wouldn't be here typing this message. This is a serious concern of mine. I have 0 interest getting back into another Subaru which Consumer Reports quotes as being the safest, most reliable brand.