Air Bag Not Deploy problems of the 2006 Subaru Outback

Airbag light is on due to passenger on/off overhead light not functioning properly. It cannot register whether or not there is a passenger in the car, and therefor the airbag light is on. I know that the airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident with the light on.

Airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated after bit test completed on engine start. Owners manual states an illuminated airbag warning light could mean the airbag system will not deploy or perform as designed in the event of an accident. I believe this is result of a Subaru design flaw that Subaru needs to address and correct via recall.

Traveling from my home to denver, CO I noticed the 'air bag warning light' come on. This has occurred on several occasions. I called the auto nation Subaru dealer to try and get an appointment. The service rep said they were full for the day. He asked me what the issue was and I told him about the 'air bag warning light' coming on. Moreover, he said that the air bag would not function with the warning icon on. He then asked me if I may have placed my cell phone in the passenger seat? I told him that I had indeed placed my cell phone in the passenger seat. The service rep added further that my cell phone may be interfering with the electronics of the air bag warning system. This sounded very odd to me. This phenomena is very disconcerting as it could readily result in serious injury if the air bag should fail to deploy in a head on collision. I also spoke to a service tech at another Subaru outlet who told me that he had heard of this odd cell phone/air bag situation. As this air bag phenomena that is occurring in my vehicle is not an isolated situation, I feel that this issue should be addressed and repaired immediately.

Was involved in a head on collision and my air bags did not deploy. I've read online after the accident others have experienced the same thing. I could of been killed if I was driving any faster.

The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. She stated that her vehicle was rear-ended, which caused her to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The airbags did not deploy. The failure and current mileages were 26,000. Updated 02-01-08 the driver and passenger seats both went all the way down laying flat in the vehicle and because of this defect the passenger in the back seat was injured. Updated 02/01/08.