10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,323 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.

2009 Subaru Outback seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2009 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Nov 192022

Outback

  • miles

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

Car stalling at stops. Received a report on all work done on this car stating issues with catalytic converter and that Subaru repaired before I bought the car. I also had loss of all brakes when the lines leaked out November 2022. I had brakes repaired cost of $1000.so far since buying this car I have not been able to drive the car because of the stalling issues.

- Franklin, NJ, USA

problem #27

Jun 012018

Outback

  • 100,000 miles
Dashboard is very sticky as though melting. Noticed for over a year now and getting worse.

- Orange, VA, USA

problem #26

Aug 202019

Outback

  • 0 miles
Went to local suburb dealership and was expecting a free loaner vehicle but was not and that was in the recall so they local dealership did not deliver the service that they were supposed to fix for the recall!

- Creston, NC, USA

problem #25

Nov 262018

Outback

  • 114,000 miles

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

While driving the airbag light comes on intermittently. If car is turned off and restarted it generally stays off. Research states that the air bags will not deploy if this light is on when an accident. This appears to be due to part needing to be soldered to fix the problem. Subaru should recall the vehicles involved. This is happening to many cars.

- Redding, CT, USA

problem #24

Mar 012018

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall I complied with the recall by taking it to kendall Subaru in eugene, Oregon on March 1, 2018 and the vehicle has not yet been repaired. I had spoken to one of your representatives about this and she gave me a ra#1271579.

- Elmira, OR, USA

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problem #23

May 012018

Outback

  • 115,000 miles
When car is running, the red aiir bag warning light on dashboard console stays on. A Subaru dealer mentioned the control module (circuit board) in the overhead compartment console would have to be replaced. I have found that the soldering on the circuit board is flimsy and prone to cracking. Apparently there is a danger that the air bags will not deploy if the warning light is on.there are a number of online forums that detail others having the same issue. The forums recommended fix is to apply solder. Here is one example: www.subaruoutback.org/forums/109-gen-3-2005-2009/42574-2006-obw-airbag-light-my-fix.html

- Osterville, MA, USA

problem #22

Sep 082017

Outback

  • 113,000 miles

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

TL-contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback -- vehicle has 113,000 miles on it airbag light has been on for two weeks has not gone off since. -- 0 recalls associated with this VIN tk holdings postcard

- Brad Alban, NY, USA

problem #21

Jun 162017

Outback

  • 0 miles
Takata recall: No issue yet but scared to drive car -tka-16

- Goodlettsville, TN, USA

problem #20

Jan 032017

Outback

  • 85,000 miles
My airbag light on the dashboard has been turning on and off with no apparent consistency since the beginning of January. Sometimes, its on, sometimes not, I made an appt to take it to a Subaru dealer, months ago, then a couple days before, it went off and stayed off for many weeks. (I had cancelled the appt.) then it came on again, so I took it to a Subaru dealer that day and they diagnosed it as a problem with the overhead map light assembly. They scanned the system and found code 26. Apparently the airbag sensor runs through that assembly and there is a connection that wears out and becomes disconnected, resulting in the airbag not being able to deploy when needed. The Subaru service rep said that is a common problem and they have made many of those repairs. Upon researching this on the internet, I found numerous complaints of this problem and that Subaru dealers charge between $200-$500 to repair this. There are also videos and instructions on how to fix this by taking apart the assembly and re-soldering the connection. My concern is that this seems to be happening to Subaru that have low mileage as well as some with higher mileage. Many of the complaints seem to come from people who live in areas where it is very cold in the winter, which is my case. I have been told that when illuminated the airbag will nor deploy. This naturally scares people so they opt for the repair asap. This appears to be a frequent problem and is a grave safety concern that Subaru should address. I believe that a recall should be issued!

- Steamboat Springs, CO, USA

problem #19

Feb 172017

Outback

  • miles
I contacted the local dealership, where we purchased this car.they told me they do have the parts but are not fixing all cars so I am on a list and can not get my car in for many months. Meanwhile my husband and children still drive this car. They said in August approx. 6 months after I tried to get them to fix it we are on the schedule.

- Ojai, CA, USA

problem #18

Oct 012014

Outback

  • 40,000 miles

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

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.

- Lyons, CO, USA

problem #17

Sep 072016

Outback 4-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
"takata recall" 9/7/2016 voice mail svc.mgr @ local Subaru dealership ([xxx]), no reply 9/12/2016 called svc rep took VIN, will have svc adv call me. 9/13/2016 svc. Adv. [xxx] called me - back ordered airbag, will call me back. 10/28/2016 called [xxx] dealership for status, they never returned my call. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #16

Sep 022016

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V358000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Coarsegold, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 282012

Outback

  • 300 miles
Air bags have become disabled due to either the switch in the seat or in the overhead console. The engine also consumes an enormous amount of oil (has since new) about 2 quarts every oil change or 3000 miles sometimes more

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #14

Jul 292016

Outback

  • 75,000 miles
Takata recall. On 7/29/16 we received notice of the recall from Subaru of America. We contacted hansel Subaru in santa rosa to schedule the replacement. They said they did not have the replacement parts and put us on a waiting list. I've tried to call them again 10/13/16 & left voice message, sent them email 10/14/16. Hansel is not returning calls or answering calls to their service dept. I called the Subaru of America number today, 10/17/16 and only got a busy signal. As instructed, we are not using the front passenger seat. This is a real inconvenience and we are frustrated with the delay in getting the replacement..

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 112016

Outback

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently during hot weather. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side air bag warning indicator failed. The mechanic did not specify if the air bag module or inflater was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Tolland, CT, USA

problem #12

Aug 022016

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V358000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #11

Aug 022016

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V358000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #10

Jul 272016

Outback

  • miles
Takata recall: I received notice of this recall on July 27, 2016. Within two hours of receipt I went to classic Subaru of atlanta (7700 roswell rd., atlanta, ga) to drop off my car for this recall. I was told that the replacement parts were on back order until December 2016 and that until then I should continue to drive the vehicle without anyone in the passenger seat. Over five months lead time to repair a known safety risk should not be acceptable.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #9

Sep 012014

Outback 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. After the vehicle was restarted from being driven, the engine remained abnormally hot and the air bag warning indicator was consistently illuminating. The failure recurred on several occasions when restarted after being driven and progressed during humid weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 1/19/16 ln the dealer found a code indicating a problem with the passenger air bag. The dealer replaced the map light assembly which included the air bag control electronic module. Updated 03/29/16

- Pennington, NJ, USA

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