Front Air Bag Sensor Control Problems of Subaru Outback

Passenger airbag sensor malfunctions after about five minutes of on the road driving with a passenger in the vehicle.

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The red light on the dashboard (where the speedometer is) for driver's air bag comes on when the temperature goes below about 44 degrees. It stays on 95% of the 8 winter months. I bought this used (2014) from a dealer, and told the service manager about it. He said unless it comes on 100% of the time, then dont worry about it. I came back 1 time and complained again, hoping a "sensor check" might be covered since I had bought the extended warranty on it. He again said "dont worry about it. " -- the passenger red light on the overhead box also stays on all the time. It does not flash or beep unless I have some heavy boxes on the seat, so I ignore it. I am just worried that neither air bag will work in an emergency. I cannot get an answer (or search) that answers that. It is frightening. When the car is started, and when moving, this happens. Only shutting the car off shuts off the light. Speed, movement or street does not affect it. It does not flicker; it stays on.

See all problems of the 2009 Subaru 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.

See all problems of the 2010 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Air bag sensor light periodically turns on when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat. Sometimes it turns on, sometimes not. You can reset the sensor and it goes away, for days or weeks. Numerous similar complaints found online. Mechanic can not find problem.

See all problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The sensor turns off intermittently when my wife sits in the front passenger seat (5 ft, 4 inches, 110 lbs). It will also turn off when she shifts her sitting position. The sensor will remain off, regardless of how she is sitting, for long periods of time (80+ miles) or until I restart the car. I spoke with two Subaru dealers and they said that they have seen this issue with lighter passengers and don't thing a recalibration will help due to the sensor's sensitivity.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I have told the Subaru dealer(s) that the front passenger airbag sensor light says "off" unless the passenger weighs over 150 lbs or so. The dealer(s) deny knowing anything about it. However, it is on a Subaru blog and there are many complaints about it. The dealer is unable to tell me if the airbag is working or not. My brake pedal makes a clicking noise when I release the break pedal. The Subaru dealer told me he knew this happened to all of the 2010 models but didnt realize it was happening to the 2011 models and he said there is nothing he can do about it until Subaru comes out with a recall. So far I haven't heard back from Subaru, it's been 5 months.

The passenger airbag does not turn on when adult female ~120lbs is in the passenger seat. Minimum weight to consistently activate airbag seems to be about 140lbs. The car was taken to the dealership and they re-calibrated the passenger seat weight sensor but this did not resolve the issue. The dealership said they were aware of other customers complaining of this issue but they did not have a solution (and did not think the re-calibration would help). They also stated they have been unable to solve this problem for other customers.

A longer version of the following letter was sent to Subaru on 1/3/2012: the purpose of this letter is to file an official complaint regarding the operation of the passenger airbag for our 2011 Subaru Outback and to request your help in resolving this problem. We purchased our Outback in September 2010 from steven's creek Subaru in san jose, California. The airbag sensor has worked intermittently since we first took ownership of the vehicle. Specifically, it turns on and off frequently when my wife (approximately 120 pounds) is seated in the passenger seat. Over the past year, we have made numerous complaints to the service technicians with no resolution. We have serious concerns for my wife's safety and it is un-excusable that Subaru does not have a resolution to this life-safety issue. I am extremely disappointed that Subaru did not disclose this issue before we purchased the vehicle. I have provided Subaru with a series of email correspondence between the dealership and myself regarding the issue from late 2010 and early 2011. In one of the emails I provided links to youtube videos documenting the issue. We waited until this time to file our formal complaint as we were hopeful that steven's creek Subaru could help us to resolve this problem. Unfortunately they have not been able to resolve our concerns and have directed us to contact Subaru headquarters directly.

Passenger airbag is often turned off, even though a person is sitting in the passenger seat. This is repeatable. Often, when my passenger (120 lbs, 5'7" tall) sits in the passenger seat, the airbag remains in the off position (as if no one is sitting in that seat). I've noticed that when the passenger sits, and puts their feet directly on the floor, the passenger's knees and upper thigh right above the knee do not make contact with the seat. When sitting in this position, the airbag will remain in the off position. When the passenger sits, with legs fully extended, so that the knee and upper thigh make better contact with the seat, the airbag is enabled. With the right combination of passenger length, and position of the passenger's legs while sitting, it is possible for the airbag to remain in the off position, even though there is a full-sized adult sitting in that seat. I believe the airbag (weight on seat) sensor, may be located too far forward on these seats.

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.

The front airbags on my 1998 Subaru Outback sport went out at 76,000 miles without ever deploying or any other indicators. The light on the dash was the only sign that the bags were no longer working. The dealer said two modules went out. The one in the steering wheel will be over $300 to replace and the one in the floor over $700. I can't believe that safety features don't have a lifetime warranty. I will never be able to afford to have them fixed!.

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While the vehicle was parked the srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection.

See all problems of the 2001 Subaru Outback 🔎.