Three problems related to front air bag sensor control have been reported for the 2010 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2010 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2010 Outback.
Passenger air bag sensor system is flawed. The air bag remains "off" when I am in the passenger seat. It will only show "on" when additional pressure is applied to the seat, which is unnatural to how a passenger will sit in the vehicle and does not offer protection in an accident. The seat back and seat are positioned as recommended in the owner's manual. There is nothing under the seat. Local dealership looked at the codes, reset them to zeros, and stated they did not find errors. A field service engineer provided further investigation in Nov 2014 and recommended a seat replacement if the problem persisted. After I followed up a few weeks later to report the problem was still there and to request a seat replacement, the engineer advised that a seat replacement would in fact not likely make a difference, and that the system was operating as designed. No replacement of the seat has occurred, and the problem persists--I do not have airbag protection as a passenger in this vehicle. Subaru agreed that I should feel safe in my vehicle, and offered the suggestion that I test and consider purchasing a newer Subaru model if it works for me. This is not an acceptable solution. I agree with NHTSA complaint 10328146 and would like to see Subaru properly investigate this problem and offer an acceptable solution--I. E. , retroactively fix the airbag sensor to work at a lower weight threshold.
Almost every time I sit in the passenger seat the airbag sensor does not come on at first. I am a 5'2", 120lb woman. I have to wiggle and set on one cheek just right in the middle of the seat, sometimes lift myself up and then sit back down again to get the passenger airbag sensor to show on. When this happens there is nothing under the passenger seat as the dealership has blamed it on that. The service department has re-calibrated the sensor but I still have the same problem. Heavier people do not have this problem.
No injuries or accidents but the passenger airbag does not stay activated consistently in my 2010 Subaru Outback when a female adulxt passenger weighing approx 125 lbs sits in it. I was told by Subaru mechanic that there have been problems with this sensor but there are no reset specs or recall for the seat from corporate yet.