Air Bag On-off Switch problems of the 2010 Subaru Outback

The passenger airbag is disabled when there is a passenger. On a trip to GA with my wife, who weighs 135 lbs, sitting in the passenger seat, the air bag light will indicate 'not enabled'. At times it will display enabled, then disabled all while driving. Shifting in the seat doesn't do anything. In summary sometimes its on, sometimes not. We took this to the dealer and their response is they were unable to duplicate with a mechanic (probably a heavier person) in the passenger seat. Their recommendation is to add weights(!!), replace the seat ($1400). Their recommendations are unacceptable. They did tell my wife there may be dust or the contacts may be faulty. I don't know why they couldn't check for dust or remove, clean and re-connect contacts. Nothing was mentioned about the switch. Big safety issue not to be taken lightly, especially by the dealer.

The incident involves a 2010 Subaru Outback and deals with srs airbag system. We will be driving down the road with a person in the passenger seat and the passenger airbag is on. Then all of a sudden the passenger airbag will shut off. Then the srs airbag system warning light on the dash will come on. Reading the owners manual there is a malfunction in the airbag system and it may not function correctly. We are suppose to take it to a dealer immediately but everytime it has occurred we have not been close to a dealer or they are closed. We have owned the car for 9 months and it has occurred 5 or 6 times so far. The issue has always seemed to go away when it is shut off and sets overnight. The computer has never recorded a error code until this last time. The error code that the dealer retrieved was code 29 ods fault. They checked out the airbag components and system and everything checked out ok. They opened a case with the tech line and all they seem to want to do at this time is continue to monitor the situation. I have reported the problem and my concerns with the safety of the car to Subaru customer service several times and it is be handled by a senior rep. My understanding is that Subaru switched from a weight sensor to a gel pack in the passenger seat. I am aware of one other 2010 Outback that has had a similar problem but not sure if it was resolved yet or not.

We recently purchased a 2010 Subaru Outback for it's safety rating. My wife has been in two bad accidents and needed a car she feels safe in. We purchased this car in March and recently noticed that when I am driving and she is in the passenger seat that the airbag indicator goes on and off. She weighs 125 pounds and is 5'3" tall. We contacted the dealer and are getting the run around. They say there is nothing wrong with it. They tell us the seat belt works fine and not to worry. I didn't buy this car for a seat belt. I wanted the best safety equipment and if it doesn't work, I do not want this car. This needs to be fixed before a passenger is killed in a wreck. I would rather the airbag is on all the time. On the Toyota my wife just wrecked there was an on and off switch.