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.
Airbag dashboard warning light stayed on while driving on 1/31/2022 and 2/1/2022. Dealer (Autofair Subaru in Haverhill Massachusetts) confirmed there was a problem in the overhead console. Researching the problem, I came across https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2006-obw-airbag-light-on-my-fix.42574/ which identified a loose component on the printed circuit board caused by a crack in the solder. Cold weather seems to exacerbate the crack and cause the component to fail intermittently. Many have reported this problem with their Subaru and have made repairs by touching up the solder. Subaru states that the collision system may not function when this condition causes the Airbag Warning Light to remain on.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be completed. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repairs she started to hear an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be performed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front passenger-??s side ball joint and power steering rack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the rear differential fill plug and the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the transmission was not replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure of the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated recently the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer and independent mechanic were made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
[2008 Subaru Outback with 82,000 miles, takada airbag replacement July 2020]. airbag warning light (red) illuminated on the dashboard instrument panel as soon as the car is turned on and remains on as long as the engine is running whether moving or stationary. This is notifying the driver that the airbag system is inoperable as stated by multiple mechanics, Subaru mechanics and Subaru service managers over dozens of blogs and even the Subaru website. Overhead console (in map light group) shows proper notification of seatbelt need and airbag activation when weight is exerted on passenger seat surface, but with the airbag red warning light lit on the dashboard, the passenger, and possibly driver airbag, is totally inoperative. This is a serious safety issue and neglect by Subaru in addressing this safety problem is of immediate concern. Hundreds of Subaru owners, many not directly reporting to NHTSA, have complained about this serious safety issue, but nothing has been done.
Passenger airbag light above map light comes on intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer in September 2012 twice for this issue (still ongoing). Service writer said component needed to be replaced because it was faulty. He indicated the airbag would still deploy in the event of a crash, but the sensor in the seat is not able to read the weight of the passenger and if I had a smaller and shorter adult in the front seat, they could be injured because the airbag would deploy at a higher rate of speed and with greater force possibly injuring the passenger. This appears to be an ongoing and prevalent issue with this make and model. The airbag light will go on and off regardless of temperature, driving or parked, and if there is or is not a passenger. This is clearly an issue that warrants a recall.
- Gilbert, AZ, USA
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The timing belt failed prematurely. It had been replaced at 70K miles and failed at 140K miles on the second belt which only had 70K miles on it versus the manufacture recommended 100K miles replacement interval. This happened during highway travel and the vehicle immediately lost all power and only had 5 seconds to find a safe place to pull off the highway. Additionally, the vehicle has an airbag recall for the second time, citing death due to metal projectile and I am having a very hard time having that replaced as the car is now being driven in Canada and Subaru dealers in Canada won't honor the required recall.
I bought my car in 2016 there was a recall on airbags, they fixed it before I bought it, but my airbag light has been going on and off for over a year now, I had my mechanic reset it, but it comes back on, is it under warranty still or not ?
Takata recall - the car was recalled 3 times. The mechanic said as long as the airbag light was on, the airbag would not work. He said the fix was not included in the recall.
My vehicle has a problem with an intermittent airbag light illuminating, indicating an issue with the airbag system. Specifically in my case, it indicates that the overhead airbag indicator system is in a fault state. This is extremely common in this vehicle and age, with many other owners reporting the same issue with no recall action from Subaru. This is a major safety issue with this car if not addressed and can result in the airbags not deploying in the event of a crash. Cost for an owner to repair (and in my case) is $300+ and should be covered by Subaru.
Sticky, melting dashboard, shiny and reflective in direct sunlight creating visibility problems, unsure how it will react if passenger airbag must be deployed thru deteriorating dashboard, affecting resale value. Dashboard literally comes off on hands or wiping rags, possible release of chemicals into interior? Subaru will only address 1/3 of the defect repair cost. Total average cost for replacement is approx $1500-1600.00, actual dashboard itself retails for $502.50 from dealers and is aparently available within a few days when ordered. Subaru gave credit for $500, almost covering the cost of the dashboard / cover only*** approx. $1000 in labor must be paid by customer. Car is in otherwise immaculent condition. This is a defect affecting safety, and is a known problem with Subaru effecting all of this model and similar models with high sun exposure. It is also cross manufacturer affected, ie; Toyota, Nissan, etc. They have taken the role of recall and replace. Subaru has not to date. Subaru is aware that this is a serious problem yet refuses to accept full responsibility for.
There's seems to be a common issue with the wiring on 2005-2009 Subaru Outback/legacy models that affects both the airbag and the locking mechanism. I have seen multiple threads online where the airbag indicator light comes on specifically indicating that the passenger airbag may be affected and sensors may be faulty? there is also a common error in the electrical system in which when you lock the car - all locks activate with the exception of the rear tailgate which poses a safety risk or total theft of the car. These problems occur upon vehicle ignition and when the car is on or off (for the locking)
After passenger air bag replacement airbag light would come on intermittently. Now airbag light stays on. Also found moisture from A/C being on under the dashboard after passenger air bag was replaced. Airbag light stays on all the time until car is turned off. Moisture from A/C is when A/C is on anytime.
2008 Subaru Outback. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag recall. Consumer states that vehicle was totaled and would like for their contact information to be removed from database.
Airbag warning light system is on intermittently, especially following cold weather. Keywords: "Subaru code 26 airbag". it is clear that this problem is persistent and other Subaru owners report the same problem. There appears to be a problem with inadequate soldering of the electronics on the printed circuit board (pcb) related to the airbag warning light display. It is unclear whether this defect impairs the ability of an airbag to deploy in the event of an accident. It can present itself when the vehicle is moving or stationary. Many web-based accounts of the problem have reported that changes in vehicle temperature due to weather (particularly on cold days) may be related to the soldering joint to malfunction. It is not clear to me whether a passenger is in danger if this light is on or if it is a faulty signal that I can ignore. I want clarity regarding safety.
Original soldering in overhead center console where passenger airbag on/off light is located was loose causing the airbag light on the dash to turn on. It seems to be a widespread issue with this generation of Subaru Outback. With the airbag light illuminated on the dash the airbags may not go off in an accident causing a major safety concern.
Takata air bag related. We replaced the recalled passenger takata airbag a while ago, and at the same time paid $297.95 to the dealer to fix the issue (error code 26) related to the airbag failure indicator warning light comes. Now we are having the same problem again with the airbag failure indicator warning light, it is turned on. Subaru should be paying for repairing this re-occuring problem with the warning light and reimbursing us for the $297.95 we paid the first time to fix it, since so many people have been complaining about this problem.
"takata recall" I understand that I may be driving a car with these airbags and that they may cause serious damage or death in case of an accident. Nothing has yet happened, but in the case of an accident there could be something serious.
Airbag replaced as per recall, but not long therafter, the airbag light went on and won't go off. Apparently, this is a common problem, and Subaru should cover it. Also, rear wheel bearings failing at 48K, very low mileage for them to need to be replaced.
Subaru has an extremely common faulty wiring issue with an led printed circuit board that is part of the airbag warning light system that resides in the maplight assembly above the rear view mirror. This problem has been reported by countless vehicle owners across a number of models (including Outback and forester) across a number of model years. A simple google search using the keywords: "Subaru code 26 airbag" reveals a treasure trove of information pertaining to this issue. It is clear that this problem is frequent, persistent and widespread. This issue has spanned a number of models and model years. The company and its dealers cannot help but be aware of the issue. There appears to be a problem with inadequate soldering of the electronics on the printed circuit board (pcb) related to the airbag warning light display. It is unclear whether this defect impairs the ability of an airbag to deploy in the event of an accident. Subaru refuses to warranty this defect. In addition, Subaru refuses to honor the takata recall if this faulty wiring system is not first remedied. The problem is intermittent and can present itself when the vehicle is moving or stationary. Many web-based accounts of the problem have reported that changes in vehicle temperature due to weather (particularly on cold days) may be related to the soldering joint to malfunction.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rowley, MA, USA