general problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback

I was slowly backing out of a parking space, with no cars coming in either direction, and the car had a loud warning sound and my driver airbag deployed and exploded in my face. The car filled with smoke. I was only halfway out of the parking space when this happened, I was able to pull forward and park safely. I did not hit anything and there was no damage to the car whatsoever. Consequently all of the electronics in the steering column no longer work. Cruise control, stereo volume, mode changer etc. . My husband was able to tuck the airbag into the steering column and tape it, so we could drive home.

Absb air bag safety system failed due to wiring harness damage under drivers seat. Wiring damaged by seat moving over harness when adjusting. Subaru dealer claimed that wiring damage was caused by rodent bites. This is an engineering flaw which creates a safety issue.

12/10/22 at ~1808 we were sitting at a complete stop with our turn signal on, waiting for traffic to clear enough to turn left. It was dark/cold but otherwise good road conditions, no rain/snow/wind. We were suddenly slammed from behind in the rear/r passenger rear by the black Dodge journey. This impact then pushed us into the oncoming lane causing another vehicle to hit us in the front driver side of the vehicle. 911 was called at 1811 and the call lasted 3 minutes. Sbpd was dispatched along with traffic control. The impact caused the visor on the passenger side to fall which caused broken facial bones. The headrest on the passenger side was completely dislodged and out of the seat upon inspection after the scene was secured. Drivers headrest was nearly out at the end of impact. Driver hit his head on the steering wheel. Entire back end of Subaru was smashed and a trail of what appeared to be gas from the tank made a visible line (~15 ft) of how far the car had been pushed on the road and across traffic. The man driving the journey reported that his “power steering went out while trying to pass on the shoulder. ” passenger had to forcibly push open the front passenger door to get out; the back passenger door was not usable and the gas cover popped out. The entire back end of the vehicle was smashed including the glass. The airbags on the Dodge journey deployed, as well as the airbags in the vehicle that hit the Subaru in the front. No airbags in the Subaru deployed. Medics were dispatched to the scene.

I was rear-ended on August 30 in this vehicle while at a traffic stop by a truck traveling 65+mph. Upon impact, I was pushed into the vehicle in front of me at a high rate of speed. Despite being hit from behind and pushed into the vehicle ahead of me no airbags deployed in the vehicle. As a result, my head struck the steering wheel knocking me unconscious, and has resulted in a traumatic brain injury, labyrinthine concussion, whiplash, and damage to my vision and hearing. The vehicle was totaled out by my insurance company and the vehicle was sold to copart and I don't believe anyone has investigated it even though all parties have been made aware of it. Prior to the accident there were no warning lights and all vehicle safety systems appeared to be in working order.

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph a semi truck crashed into the vehicle causing severe front end damage but no airbags were deployed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was no longer drivable and was towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 13,000.