Air Bag Problems of Subaru Outback - part 1

April 3, 2026: my 2025 Subaru Outback premium (VIN [xxx] , 2,052 miles) suffered simultaneous failure of multiple safety-critical systems due to corrosion on a can bus pin in the driver door wiring harness (Subaru part #xxx) at its dash harness connection, caused by water intrusion into the cabin. Trip start: eyesight, collision avoidance, blind spot, and lane assist all offline; brake indicator illuminated with no brake engagement. Minutes later, airbag warning activated. Dealer service advisor described the dash as "lit up like a christmas tree. " while reversing through a 3-point turn on a commercial drive used by heavy trucks, I lost steering at single-digit speed. 60 seconds further would have placed me on an inclined high-traffic road near a freeway interchange. Vehicle was towed by Subaru from the failure location. Confirmed by authorized dealer driveway Subaru of moon township (invoice #680646, warranty claim). Subaru ssm4 scan recorded 17 unique dtcs across 10 control systems, including c1460 brake booster abnormality; u1131 lost comm power steering control module; u0151 restraints control module; u0122/u1122 vdc; u0126 steering angle sensor; plus multiple eyesight faults. Dealer documented moisture on both a-pillars, driver kick panel, standing water in cupholders and center console. Prior intermittent symptom: passenger seatbelt alarm on empty seat, two occasions in prior months, consistent with past-status u0151 on scan. Dealer cleaned the corroded pin but did not identify or seal the original water ingress point. Vehicle remains in dealer possession. Subaru of America customer advocacy case #xxx-xxxhas declined repurchase/replacement, stating vehicle is "operating safely as designed. " I dispute this conclusion: the ingress source is unremediated and recurrence risk has not been addressed. Repair invoice, full dtc scan, soa correspondence, and owner statement available on request. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2025 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I was recently involved in a multi-car accident, where the vehicle rammed into my Outback from behind, leading to a spin-up and hit again by the driver side, forcing me to collide into a vehicle that had side-lined on a highway. In this situation, I would expect the airbags to get deployed, but to my surprise and shock, none of the airbags were deployment (both frontal as well as side).

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I have multiple malfunction codes on my car. Without any incident in the car I have 4 separate codes of airbag ecu malfunction (3) and airbag ecu power supply voltage. B1149 airbag ecu power supply voltage history b1195 airbag ecu malfunction current b1196 airbag ecu malfunction current b1185 airbag ecu malfunction current this has caused failure of safety components in my car. Warning lights caused me to pull the codes and evaluate the problems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Seems to be a problem with these components in older vehicles as well.

See all problems of the 2022 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Airbag light is on.

See all problems of the 2009 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The vehicle has had the seat belt replaced twice in one year for it dinging and now Subaru dealer says the ods sensor is bad and does not detect a passenger in the seat therefore the air bag system is not functioning properly. The dealership strongly recommend that I contact Subaru and they will most likely fix it being a Subaru and a huge safety issue. I have found a recall for this but they say not this VIN number but yes it is on 2013 Outbacks! they will not provide any assistance with this very costly safety issue even knowing the dealership told me to contact them.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact had received several recall notifications of an air bag recall for a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact never owned the vehicle and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the removal request could not be processed without the complete VIN. The contact had provided a partial VIN.

See all problems of the 2005 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Almost after I took ownership of my vehicle in August 2024 from Lexus of pembroke pines, I noticed a light on the dashboard that would light intermittently. I purchased an extended warranty for almost four thousand dollars at the time of sale, thank god, as this car has needed a lot of work that I was never told about nor was anything in the carfax indicating so many issues. Subaru of pembroke pines service department took vehicle in to work on the air bag sensor as that is what seemed to be the issue. In the sixteen months that I have been paying off a loan, the car has been in service for at least a combined ten months plus. They have changed the sensor twice and have changed the harness twice to no avail and that has been covered by the warranty. Now Subaru wants to take apart the car to trace wires to try to find out why the light still won't go out. The warranty company is refusing to take responsibility for the payment for the work and I cannot and will not pay out of my pocket. Subaru wants me to take my car back and drive it. I do not want to die from a faulty airbag. There is something grossly wrong with the vehicle, the service department and especially the warranty company. Please help me get my vehicle fixed without having to be further raped financially. Subaru is trying to get me to purchase yet another vehicle and I was told by the service lane manager that I should never have been sold that car. It is dangerous. My files you are requesting are in my car which is at the dealership.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The airbag light came on in my car even though the cars airbags have never deployed. The code that the scanner is bringing up is b1784. The description for this error is right front occupant detection sensor collision detection, Subaru has a safety recall for this exact issue for this exact year and type of car but are stating my VIN does not have the recall. I have contacted them and they stated there is nothing they can do for me to fix this recall because my car's VIN is not showing to have this recall.

See all problems of the 2021 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I was involved in a car crash where another car crashed into me at an angle and hit the driver side door and part of the front and the wheel air bag not deploy. The side air bags did. I was going 30, this other car was going 40-50 mph.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the supplemental restraint system (srs) on my 2020 Subaru Outback with approximately 20,480 miles. Multiple srs and occupant detection system warning lights illuminated. Dealer diagnostics showed multiple srs-related faults including airbag ecu malfunction, occupant detection sensor communication failures (lost communication/mismatch), and srs power/voltage-related faults. These systems directly control airbag deployment and passenger safety. The vehicle has not been involved in any accidents and has not been misused. The dealer advised the vehicle is not safe until repaired. Subaru of America declined assistance and closed my case, stating it is outside goodwill parameters, and is requiring me to pay approximately $1,200 to repair the airbag-related system. In November of the prior year, the vehicle had a battery failure and was serviced by a Subaru-certified dealer. During that repair, wiring work was also performed. Given the current srs faults and the prior wiring/battery service, I am concerned this may be a systemic or related defect rather than normal wear. I am requesting NHTSA review this issue as a potential safety defect involving the srs/occupant detection system.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The clock spring (steering roll connector) component has failed, confirmed by the resulting complete loss of the horn function. Safety hazard: the component failure has resulted in the loss of the electrical connection to the driver's airbag system, rendering the primary airbag inoperable. This creates an unreasonable, life-threatening risk in the event of a collision. The problem has been diagnosed based on common failure patterns for this vehicle platform and confirmed via manufacturer correspondence. The problem first occurred on or about [input approximate date] with the simultaneous failure of the horn and subsequent inoperability of the driver's airbag. The manufacturer, Subaru of America (soa case #251013-1700910), was contacted and acknowledged the concern but refused to cover the repair under a goodwill adjustment, citing an expired warranty, despite the component's direct link to the critical airbag safety system.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v003000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to possible damage to the dashboard while replacing the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

See all problems of the 2007 Subaru Outback 🔎.

My Subaru Outback 2022 experienced a failure of the supplemental restraint system (srs) sensors, resulting in the airbag warning light turning on and the airbags being disabled. The nature of the defect, the diagnostic trouble codes, and the location of the failed component are identical to Subaru recall 24v227000 recently issued for the same model and year range. However, my VIN is not included in the recall. This is a safety-critical defect that prevents the airbags from deploying in a crash. The failure occurred under normal driving conditions and with all required maintenance performed. I believe my vehicle should be included in the existing recall, or a new recall should be issued to address this broader production issue. The defect puts occupants at risk of injury or death in the event of a collision. Please investigate this matter and require Subaru to expand the recall coverage to all affected vins.

While turning left from left turn lane, eyesight failed to detect oncoming traffic resulting in right front side impact. No warning, no braking action. This is an advertised safety system supposedly designed to prevent this type of accident. In addition, passenger side airbag deployed (no passenger in the passenger seat) but driver side airbag did not deploy. Newton's third law of motion says both should deploy. Significant injury occurred to the driver as a result.

Front passenger airbag does not turn on and/stay on when my adult wife is seated (5'7" 100lbs). Moving the seat up/down and/or back/forth sometimes allows the system to activate but it then turns off later on while driving. The Subaru owner's manual instructs the owner that when this occurs the passenger should sit in the back and Subaru service should be obtained. Subaru service has inspected the car and indicated the system is functioning properly, and there is nothing to repair. Afterwards, calling the Subaru customer advocate they indicated that they expect the system to turn on for my wife, and that there is no weight minimum for the air bag. They said that I should return to the service center with her so that they could witness the issue. A return appointment was made and completed today. Subaru service center staff witnessed the passenger air back system ignoring my wife in the seat. Their response was comprised of confusion as to why we were there followed by the judgement that the system was working as designed (based on the previous visit) so there is no problem to be fixed. It appears that the Subaru air bag system does not protect all adult passengers. Also, the owner's manual instructing the driver to tell the passenger to sit in the back when this occurs, seems to indicate that this is not a normal situation and needs to be repaired.

The dash pad in the 2005 to 2009 Subaru legacy and Outback models have a very common problem of deteriorating to where they become sticky and then sections start cracking and falling off. My concern is that this is happening in the area of the passenger air bag. There is a portion of the dash bad which says srs airbag imprinted in the pad material and mines actually about to fall off. If the air bag should deploy from a serious enough collision, these loose pieces will be one projectiles and could easily cause injury esp to someone eye. I reached out to soa but they offered no help. The claim number was 250530-0001813. Subaru did extend the warranty on this a few years back but they have since expired. The missing piece in the image is towards the bottom but the area directly over the airbag is severely cracked.

See all problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Front passenger side icon shows airbag off when passenger is in passenger seat.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I received letter from Subaru of America saying parts available for recall repair but when I went to the dealer they did not have the parts.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

According to my Subaru service technician the occupant detection control module is faulty on my car. Research has found that this is a known problem with 2020-2022 Subaru Outbacks that is under recall. I believe the recall should be extended to include the 2019 year model because a faulty occupant detection module means that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash which is a serious safety concern.

Air bag sensor light came on. Took to dealership - suburban Subaru, troy, mi. $189 to diagnose. . . . Then received this note: air bag - control module: scanned vehicle using ssm4 and found codes b1185, b1195 and b1196. Per Subaru diagnostics, replacement of the srs module is recommended to complete repair. Repairs will include removal and replacement of current module as well as passenger seal occupant detection system relearn. $1415. 16 in additional cost. This is a defect. . . And Subaru should cover the cost.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an audible chime while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The front seat passenger airbag has an amber colored lighted alert indicator on the dashboard that is supposed to change from “off” to “on” when an occupant of sufficient weight is seated in that position. The dealer who recently sold me my new 2025 Subaru Outback advised me that this indicator is calibrated to trigger when a passenger weighing over 85 pounds occupies that seat. However, while I have found that it works for example when an occupant sits in the front passenger seat at a weight of 190 pounds it does not switch from off to on when a passenger weighing 97 pounds has occupied this seating position. This problem occurs only with the front passenger seat airbag alert indicator and works properly when a passenger of either exampled weight class occupies the driver’s seat.

Shortly after purchasing my vehicle I noticed that the passenger airbag illuminated “off” indicator did not switch from “off” to “on” when an individual weighing under 100 pounds occupies the front passenger set in the vehicle. I could find nothing in the owner’s literature accompanying my car’s purchase addressing the threshold weight set by the manufacturer or dealer for passenger airbag activation/deactivation but was told informally by a dealer representative that the weight threshold for the vehicle is set at 100 pounds and cannot be adjusted to activate for front passenger seat occupants weighing any less—a potential safety issue for my wife who weighs less than 100 pounds and often occupies the front passenger seat position.

The contact owned a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v001000 (air bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v227000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image, compromising the back-over prevention system. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA: 20v766000 (back over prevention) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 61,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Was at a stop in the middle lane going to turn left, got hit straight head on by a driver driving in the middle lane. His air bags deployed, none of mine deployed. The front end and drivers side of the Subaru was impacted.

Was in a car accident was hit from left front side and left rear passenger door. Other vehicle was going 62 mph when impacted. None of the air bags deployed in the vehicle. I hit my head twice on the window and was knocked unconscious. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle. No lights or failure before accident about airbags.