10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,439 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Subaru Impreza seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2013 Subaru Impreza Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Jul 092018

Impreza

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Air bag is disabled when moisture or humidity is present on the passenger seat. Specifically the airbag red light illuminates and the amber passenger side air bag off light illuminates. This is a problem that presented itself soon after purchase. It has happened while stationary & while driving. It has been triggered by both humidity in the air & perspiration by the passenger. I believe the problem has to do with moisture compromising the passenger seat switch. The incident has happened many times. Most recently I had left the rear window open it was humid but there was no rain, when I went to work in the morning the red airbag light was on. The problem may be getting worse over time, in the past a towel or trash bag would prevent it but no, as mentioned it is being triggered by humid air. I videoed one example and have attempted to include it but it is too large I would be glad to email it if you are interested, my daughter is in the front seat, the airbag light is on and the passenger side airbag indicator shows off. The video was taken on Sept 30th 2014, the vehicle had 35,212 miles on it at the time.

- New Ipswich, NH, USA

problem #36

Jul 062018

Impreza

  • 57,000 miles
After cleaning front seats with upholstery cleaner and seats damp air bag light red comes on also shows passenger air bag as off even though someone in seat. Happens if car stationary or moving.

- Herminir, PA, USA

problem #35

Jul 062018

Impreza

  • 57,000 miles
Cleaned upholstery and seats slightly damp, when I started car the red air bag light came on and passenger seat showed air bag off even though a passenger was in seat. It has been two days and air bag light is still on and passenger bag shows as off even if passenger is in seat. As soon as I start the car the air bag light comes on and stays on while driving.

- Herminie, PA, USA

problem #34

Jun 012018

Impreza

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

6/1/2018-driving from kc to St. Louis-drove 1.25 hours-stopped for break-drove another 1.5 hours and air bag light came on unprovoked. Turn car off and back on fixed. Return trip 6/3/2018 from St. Louis to kc - same scenario-drove approx 2.5 hours-stopped - drove additional 1 hour and air bag light came on. Turn car off and on and is off currently. Was driving around 70 mph when both instances occurred.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #33

Oct 102017

Impreza

  • 98,000 miles
Every time it rains or is wet outside my air bag light comes on and acts as if I dont have a passenger next to me, but I do. They are sitting with seat belt on in passenger seat. But the lights on my dash say otherwise. This issue only happens when its wet out. And it shows the light on dash when im driving, not when I first start the car.

- Enumclaw, WA, USA

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problem #32

Jan 272018

Impreza

  • 54,800 miles
Takata recall. Having cell phone on seat will activate the airbag on and will set off seat belt light and sound. After getting the seat wet, airbag would not go on with someone sitting in it and light would be on the dash. I had to let the seat dry and that seemed to make it work again after getting wet. This is passanger seat. I see that there's a recall for that on the 2012 model. The 2013 model is equipped with the same sensors as the 2012. Would like to see this get updated and moved to a recall just like the 2012 models.

- Jeffersonville, VT, USA

problem #31

Dec 062017

Impreza

  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The passenger seat sensor that controls airbag is faulty. Sometimes with a passenger in the seat, the airbag light will go on indicating that the airbag is disabled even though passenger is in seat and belted. This can always be reset by turning igniotion off and on again. Also sensor incorrectly thinks there is a passenger in the seat even when very light packages or groceries are on the seat weighing 2-12 pounds. I've called Subaru and they claim sensor is set to 27 punds or more, which is clearly not working here. Subaru will not fix this under warranty so I think NHTSA should look at all the similar complaints here and investigate.

- Greenwich, CT, USA

problem #30

Aug 192017

Impreza

  • 66,895 miles
I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I've noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. Sometimes, when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat and when the vehicle is in motion, whether on a highway or on a side street, the passenger airbag off light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is off when someone is sitting in the seat and the vehicle is in motion. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This past spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I'm driving in a hot and humid location, or passenger has damp clothes due to coming back from the beach or river, exercising, or just being plain warm & sweaty. There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which I believe has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall. I do not think that I should have to pay for a repair of something that is a known, widespread issue among Subaru Imprezas. I think that my car should be repaired under this recall. This problem is alarming, given that the air bag may not function properly if the car was involved in an accident.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #29

Aug 222017

Impreza

  • 67,374 miles
I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I've noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. Sometimes, when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat and when the vehicle is in motion, whether on a highway or on a side street, the passenger airbag off light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is off when someone is sitting in the seat and the vehicle is in motion. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This past spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I'm driving in a hot and humid location, or passenger has damp clothes due to coming back from the beach or river, exercising, or just being plain warm & sweaty. There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which I believe has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #28

May 282017

Impreza

  • 64,000 miles
I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I've noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. Sometimes, when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat and when the vehicle is in motion, whether on a highway or on a side street, the passenger airbag off light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is off when someone is sitting in the seat and the vehicle is in motion. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This past spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I'm driving in a hot and humid location, or passenger has damp clothes due to coming back from the beach or river, exercising, or just being plain warm & sweaty. There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which I believe has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #27

Aug 192017

Impreza

  • 66,909 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I've noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. Sometimes, when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat and when the vehicle is in motion, whether on a highway or on a side street, the passenger airbag off light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is off when someone is sitting in the seat and the vehicle is in motion. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This past spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I'm driving in a hot and humid location, or passenger has damp clothes due to coming back from the beach or river, exercising, or just being plain warm & sweaty. There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which I believe has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #26

Aug 262017

Impreza

  • 32,000 miles
While driving on the highway with a passenger, the air bag light came on and the passenger air bag indicator switched from on to off. I had already driven probably 35 miles at highway speed (65mph) at the time this occurred. I was in motion at the time, changing lanes as I prepared to exit the highway. After the vehicle was turned off, the lights behaved as expected but the vehicle had to be turned off to fix.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #25

Aug 262017

Impreza

  • miles
I received a legal notice from auto airbag settlement about takata recall on the airbags in my car and I should make an appointment for repairs by a local retailer as soon as possible.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #24

Aug 152017

Impreza

  • 93,000 miles
The SRS sensor was lighting up and the airbag indicator light began to switch to off even when the passenger seat was occupied. I took my car into the dealership and they confirmed the switch has gone back and needs replaced. Luckily the car is still under warranty so I am only responsible to pay for the $100 warranty deductible. After much research, I have found that this is the same SRS switch used in the 2012 Subaru Impreza that has been replaced due to a recall.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #23

Jul 162017

Impreza

  • 61,660 miles
When a passenger is in the seat, when driving or parked, the airbag sign illuminates off. Occasionally the airbag indicator will illuminate on the dashboard. At times the sensor will sense the smallest things, such as a small box of tissues, and the airbag will turn on without a passenger. This is an ongoing problem for the last 3-4 months.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #22

Mar 072017

Impreza

  • 30,000 miles
SRS airbag warning light illuminates and passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in the front seat. Car was in motion. This is a well known defect and a recall was issued for the exact same reason for the 2012 model, which has the same components as the 2013. Is the NHTSA going to issue a recall or ignore a known and very dangerous fault?

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 022017

Impreza

  • 40,000 miles
When the passenger seat is damp, the passenger occupancy sensor stops working and deactivates the passenger airbag when an adult is occupying the front passenger seat. When this happens, the front passenger's frontal airbag indicator (located in the center display) turns "off" (even if an adult is sitting in the seat). The red SRS airbag system warning (light located in the instrument cluster) turns on when this issue occurs. Eventually the light shuts off by itself. This issue happens regardless whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #20

Nov 212016

Impreza

  • 13,000 miles
The dashboard 'airbag malfunction' light turns on and the passenger airbag light switches to 'off' while there is an adult passenger in the front passenger seat of the car. This happens upon starting the car and continues until the car engine is shut off. I am afraid if there is a crash that the passenger air bag will not deploy.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #19

Nov 142016

Impreza

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the occupant detection system malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V419000 (air bags). The contact experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #18

Sep 012016

Impreza

  • miles
Multiple sporadic issues with the front passenger air bag indicator. 1) when a passenger is seated with seatbelt fastened in the front passenger seat, once the car is in motion the passenger airbag indicator will change status to off and a red airbag/balloon indicator light will show on the dash as if there is no-one in the passenger seat. 2) when someone sitting in the front passenger seat exits the car, after driving away the passenger air bag indicator will turn on as if someone is sitting in the seat and the fasten seat belt chime will continue sounding even through the passenger seat is empty. 3) with no passenger in the car, if you place a cell phone directly on the passenger seat while it is plugged in to the usb port charging, the passenger air bag indicator will switch status to on and the fasten seat belt chime will sound. If you pick up the cell phone from the seat (still plugged in to usb port charging), the indicator will change back to off and the fasten seat belt chime will stop. If you place the cell phone back on the seat, the air bag indicator will switch back to on and the fasten seat belt chime will sound. Issue #1 seem to occur most often in high humidity or rain. Issue #3 occurs if the cell phone is greater than 35% charged.

- Ellwood City, PA, USA

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