2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,711 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Subaru Impreza seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2013 Subaru Impreza Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 072020

Impreza

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My airbag light turns on and off intermittently. The passenger side sometimes says "passenger airbag on" inappropriately (nobody is sitting in the passenger seat). Also it sometimes says "passenger airbag off" if somebody is sitting in the passenger seat. I am nervous if I get in a crash my airbag system will no protect my passenger. There has been a recall issued for 2012 Subaru Impreza airbag systems, and the same system is used in the 2013 model, so I'm not sure why this is not being fixed.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #11

Jun 012019

Impreza

  • miles
Complaint regarding: Subaru passenger-airbag occupant detection system (ods). Passenger airbag signal turns on and off unexpectedly during the following circumstances: Passenger in the seat and the car is stationary, no passenger in the seat and the car is stationary, passenger in the seat when car is in motion in the street, passenger in the seat when car is in motion on the highway, no passenger is in the seat and car is in motion in the street and highway. Passenger seat was not wet at any time. Laptop and cell phone was on the seat (backpack or passenger lap), or in close proximity in most incidents. Any passenger occupant has always been an adult meeting the state and federal safety regulations. Resource to explain concern in greater detail. And to express deep concern that the Impreza 2012 sensor recall was not extended to the Impreza 2013 year: Https://www.caranddriver.com/news/A15353278/Subaru-recalls-32000-Imprezas-for-airbag-sensors/ resource for Impreza 2012 and 2013 ods mechanism: Https://www.stanleysubaru.com/blog/2012/August/6/how-does-the-occupant-detection-system-ods-work-in-my-Subaru.htm

- Palo Alto, CA, USA

problem #10

May 232019

Impreza

  • 80,000 miles
The passenger air bag light does not come on or activate when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. The air bag light in the dash by the speedometer also comes on randomly. The exact same thing is happening that other people have commented about on this website. The 2012S were recalled, but not the 2013S with the same parts?? get it together Subaru...

- Newport, MN, USA

problem #9

Jun 062018

Impreza

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Passenger air bag does not register as 'on' when a passenger is present. Even a 15 pound backpack will cause the vehicle to show that the passenger airbag is off. It never comes on. It's gotten to the point where I will not allow people to ride in the front of my car with me, because I am worried they may be seriously injured in case of an accident. Why have such a spacious vehicle if its occupants aren't safe" also, the recalled sensor in the 2012 Impreza cars is the same technology in the 2013 models. Why has this not been taken care of"

- Saco, ME, USA

problem #8

Jun 052018

Impreza

  • 79,000 miles
Warning lamps for stability control air bag randomly light up on my dash board panel. The passenger air bag will also switch to off even when a passer is sitting in the seat or the passenger seat belt warning sound will go off if a small object is placed on the seat. My mechanic can't find the issue as I cannot recreate the circumstances that cause the lamps to switch on or the warning siren to chime. Computer readings do not return any "codes" if the lamps aren't on.

- Bangor, ME, USA

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problem #7

Aug 072018

Impreza

  • 120,112 miles
I have been having airbag problems with the passenger seat. Whenever there is a passenger sitting, the amber indicator light is in the 'off' position and there is a red airbag light on the dashboard. It doesn't matter if the passenger is dry or damp, if the car is stationary or driving on the street/highway. Sometimes, when there is no passenger and I place my cell phone on the seat, the airbag indicator light turns on as if there is a passenger. This is a serious issue in case of an accident. Nice to know that Subaru cares so much about 'safety'. the 2012 was recalled, please recall the 2013 also before someone dies or has a serious injury!

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 052018

Impreza

  • 80,425 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I really feel my 2013 Impreza should fall into the takata recall. I made sure to check my vehicle didn't qualify, but it appears to be doing similar things presented for those currently in the recall. The first time I have proof of my airbag indicator light was 7.4.2016 at 45,896 miles. At the time, I was the only person in the vehicle. When I went to the local Subaru dealer to have it checked, they said they couldn't check it unless the light was lit (which it was not) and suggested the seat might have been wet. Most recently, I have had a front passenger in my vehicle and the indicator light has come on and the air bag light switched to off at least 3 times in the last two weeks. I purchased my Subaru for the safety and this is a huge issue if the airbag does not deploy if for some reason I get into an accident. Just continuing driving with this light on caused me a great deal of anxiety for fear of the unknown. I like to think I am a good driver, but I couldn't live with myself if a defect of my vehicle was responsible for losing a precious passenger. Please try to review more of these cases and update the recall list. For the first documented instance, the vehicle was in a driveway and parked without a passenger. These last couple of incidences have been both parked and in motion along roadways ranging from 50-70mph.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #5

Jul 072018

Impreza

  • 45,000 miles
Sensor for air bag in passenger seat not working correctly. Works 80% of the time, but will put a warning on my dashboard randomly while I'm driving and disable airbag. It could happen when stationary or driving. Doesn't seem to matter the speed or if anybody is in the seat or not. It's been happening on and off for almost 3 years. Please help, the fix is very expensive and it seems like this is not the first time there have been problems with Subaru passenger side airbag sensors. The K you very much.

- Madison, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jul 092018

Impreza

  • 20,000 miles
Air bag is disabled when moisture or humidity is present on the passenger seat. Specifically the airbag red light illuminates and the amber passenger side air bag off light illuminates. This is a problem that presented itself soon after purchase. It has happened while stationary & while driving. It has been triggered by both humidity in the air & perspiration by the passenger. I believe the problem has to do with moisture compromising the passenger seat switch. The incident has happened many times. Most recently I had left the rear window open it was humid but there was no rain, when I went to work in the morning the red airbag light was on. The problem may be getting worse over time, in the past a towel or trash bag would prevent it but no, as mentioned it is being triggered by humid air. I videoed one example and have attempted to include it but it is too large I would be glad to email it if you are interested, my daughter is in the front seat, the airbag light is on and the passenger side airbag indicator shows off. The video was taken on Sept 30th 2014, the vehicle had 35,212 miles on it at the time.

- New Ipswich, NH, USA

problem #3

Jul 062018

Impreza

  • 57,000 miles
After cleaning front seats with upholstery cleaner and seats damp air bag light red comes on also shows passenger air bag as off even though someone in seat. Happens if car stationary or moving.

- Herminir, PA, USA

problem #2

Jul 062018

Impreza

  • 57,000 miles
Cleaned upholstery and seats slightly damp, when I started car the red air bag light came on and passenger seat showed air bag off even though a passenger was in seat. It has been two days and air bag light is still on and passenger bag shows as off even if passenger is in seat. As soon as I start the car the air bag light comes on and stays on while driving.

- Herminie, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 102017

Impreza

  • 98,000 miles
Every time it rains or is wet outside my air bag light comes on and acts as if I dont have a passenger next to me, but I do. They are sitting with seat belt on in passenger seat. But the lights on my dash say otherwise. This issue only happens when its wet out. And it shows the light on dash when im driving, not when I first start the car.

- Enumclaw, WA, USA

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