Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that there was a defective gasket on the transfer case and the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. The contact stated that while a relative was seated in the front passenger's seat, the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where a code reader determined that there was a defect with the front passenger's side air bag sensor. A dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
Over the past three months, the front driver and passenger airbag lights have been on in my 2012 Subaru Impreza while driving. Documented videos attached were on 01/11/23, 01/20/23, and 04/04/23. It has happened at least 6 times and possibly more. I contacted Subaru after it happened and took it to the local Subaru dealer, who advised me to bring the car in when the airbag light was on, as at my 1/17/23 visit, they could not figure out the cause of the airbag light. On 4/4/23, while driving on the expressway, the airbag light came on, and as advised, I drove it straight to the local dealership. Code B1650 was pulled off the airbag system, which I am told could be 3 different reasons. On 4/10/23, I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy and said the local dealer's solutions were unacceptable and to wait and see. …
The Airbag warning light has been lit within the dashboard. The front passenger seat airbag is faulty and is not able to correctly sense when a passenger is within the seat or not, which disables the airbags. This can be deadly to the passenger if in an accident. The issue seems to be in the ODS passenger seat mat that determines when the airbag is active or not. If moisture is able to get within the mat, then it can short the circuit and cause airbags to not deploy. My car was "supposed" to already been fixed with the issue in 2015 on the recall #WQT55, NHTSA Campaign 15V419000, but I don't believe the underlying issue was fixed correctly or the same part has failed again. Looking further into recalls, the exact same issue is happening again with Subarus with #WRA-24 and NHTSA campaign 24V227. The dealer has asked me to pay over $1700 on to replace this part. …
I just bought this car. I looked recall history. I saw that one of the recalls for this car was faulty (ODS)occupants detection system and the record showed that it is fixed. However, I just found out today that ODS system is still faulty.
We were broadsided (t-boned) in an intersection with traffic lights. We were eastbound going 25mph & had just left home. Two blocks from my home as I proceeded through the green light and bam she hit my driver side. Recessing my front tire 3 or more inches in towards my engine. She was traveling southbound on the intersecting road. She must have been traveling 25 MPH or more because damage continued all the way down the driver side (both doors) finishing on my rear tire where it bent it inwards as if it was a steering tire making a turn. The rear tire has a large gash in the side wall. The following where my wife's injuries as she was driving: acute cervical myofascial strain, cervical strain, closed head injury, dysarthria, elbow contusion, headache, muscle tension headache, post concussion syndrome, and shoulder contusion. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head injury and injuries to the left arm that required medical attention. After inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the air bag wiring was fractured. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving on an icy road at approximately 30 MPH, the brakes were engaged and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle and the frontal air bags failed to deploy. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound yard and then to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving at 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a metal power box and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Driving down mountain after day of skiing. Roads were treacherous and icy. 20 minutes into the drive, driver and passenger airbag lights turned on, indicating that airbags would not deploy in the case of a collision. Several months later I was wearing a damp bathing suit while driving and the same situation occurred, indicating that the airbags would not deploy in the event of a collision. On another occasion, I was driving on a hot day with the windows down. I was sweating quite a bit and the airbag light on my Subaru Impreza turned on yet again. This issue was brought up with the dealership while the car was still under warranty. The dealer's service department simply reset the sensor, not solving the issue or comprehending the severity of this issue. …
My passenger side airbag warning light comes on, with an accompanying loud tone, at random times while driving, despite the fact that there is not a passenger in the car. Sometimes it senses something very light like my phone on the seat, sets off the warning, and stops when I remove the object. Other times, when there actually is a passenger in the seat, a different warning light will come on saying that the passenger side airbag has been turned off. This happens on its own, also randomly. I seldom have passengers, so it has been a problem I have ignored over the years. But when I had a car savvy passenger recently, he suggested I follow up on what could be a serious safety issue. It appears that there is a recall for this exact issue for my car's model year. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA investigations
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on April 10, 2015 based on 26 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports involving the passenger frontal air bag in MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles.These vehicles use a capacitive type Occupant Detection System (ODS), which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full sized, small stature, a child seat, or other object.The reports…
Airbag complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 43% of the model year's 243 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Subaru Impreza airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-419 (occupant classification, Jul 1, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Subaru Impreza airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.