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.
Airbag light comes on intermittently on 2008 Subaru Outback, not sure under what specific conditions, sometimes the light stays on for days. Dealer service said I needed to replace overhead console module due to shorting and charged me $350. After researching the problem I found many people had solved this problem with simply soldering the connection for almost no cost. Dealer service never offered to try soldering, only warned me that the airbag wouldn't work when light was on. The sheer number of complaints filed and subject discussions online show that this problem is predictable and could be solved cheaply. I would like to see Subaru held accountable for all the money owners have spent on this avoidable and simple problem.
Air bag warning light stays on, and the air bag system is disabled while the light is on. This is a very well known and documented problem that can be cured; however, because of the cost it has not been remedied. The part used is the primary culprit and regrettably has been installed in Subaru vehicles across several model years. Subaru the manufacturer has failed to respond responsibly; ergo, NHTSA action is needed to bring Subaru to task and compliance to ensure all necessary repairs are performed for safe deployment of all Subaru cabin air bags. When working properly, air bags save lives.
Dash airbag light comes on intermittently, and this disables the airbag. Dealer states this is a known problem, but can only fix by trial and error replacing (expensive) components. It happens most on cold wet weather days, often goes off when car warmed up, so probably electrical. Has continued for years now, still happening at 105,000 miles. Many many examples on internet boards of people with this same problem. Should be a safety recall!
The airbag light on the dash illuminates due to a flawed part in the system. This is a common problem with this series of Subaru and disables the airbags while the car is in use, a very dangerous and possibly deadly problem. Subaru has been aware of this problem for years but refuses to do anything about it. The part and its replacement are expensive and often does not get repaired because it is at the owner's expense. My feeling is that safety equipment should be warranted by the manufacturer for the reasonable life of the automobile. The flawed part has been used for years with Subaru's full knowledge that the part is flawed.
Air bag warning light intermittently turns on. Likely due to a faulty electrical connection behind the map light console. Airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident! this is an incredibly common problem and Subaru refuses to address it.
- Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Airbag light is intermittently coming on while driving. Checked online and found out this is a very common problem. When light is on vehicle air bags will not deploy in an accident. I don't understand why this problem was not handled by Subaru as a voluntary recall. This is a serious safety issue.
The airbag light on the dashboard came on. I also noticed the light that should have indicated that the passenger airbag was off was not lit. The airbags will not deploy when airbag light is on. After researching, I found several people with the exact problem and that it is related to faulty wiring in overhead map light console that contains the passenger airbag indicators. I purchase a new light console and the problem was fixed. This is a safety issue because the airbags won't deploy and should be fixed by the manufacturer.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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 Subaru for the same air bag indicator light problem. This is a serious safety issue that the ntsb should investigate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The air bag light on our dashboard recently lit up. We had our mechanic look at the car and he said the car was not producing an error code. Some basic research on the internet revealed that this problem is becoming common and is related to a fault in the panel contained in the map light console, which includes the passenger air bag indicator lights. He replaced panel and that solved the problem. I have a couple issues that I hope you can address. Because the air bag light was illuminated on the dash, the operation of the car's air bags were in doubt, if not disabled all together. So, this appears to be a safety issue. Additionally, when our mechanic called the local Subaru dealer (go Subaru in denver, co) for the part and asked if they had the part in stock, the parts desk immediately said, "oh, is this that air bag thing?" so, this is a known fault. I tried contacting Subaru to notify them, but they simply told me that all recalls are issued by the government and that I should have my vehicle serviced by an authorized dealer. I hope the NHTSA will take time to research this safety issue and make the appropriate recall.
Airbag light on dash comes on intermittently. There appears to be a known defect in the overhead map light console that causes the problem. When occurring, the air bag system becomes deactivated and poses a decrease in safety. Subaru of America would not tell me how many of these units have been replaced or their reported rate of failure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Palo Alto, CA, USA