Subaru Impreza Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  57
• Sensor › Occupant classification
  32
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  11
• Side/window
  2
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  2
• On-off switch assembly
  1
• Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  8233%
• 25k–50k
  5723%
• 50k–75k
  4618%
• 75k–100k
  3213%
• 100k–150k
  2610%
• 150k+
  62%

What owners report

Passenger Air-bag igniter's wiring shorted out releasing gas into car. The windows were up and the car was not running. I was sitting in passenger side went to light my cigarette and with no warning at all KABOOM!!! Car exploded catching my hair on fire as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on hands and 1st and 2nd degree burns on face. The explosion carried so much force that the doors and back hatch were dented outward making it impossible to shut and lock doors properly. Explosion was so loud the people inside the bar thought a bomb had gone off. This incident was not reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or insurance company due to the fact the car was stolen directly after incident due to the fact that the doors could not shut properly. Prior to this incident no warning lights had gone off to indicate a malfunction in the passenger airbag or the wiring. …

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was not illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the air bag warning light needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was involved in an accident that caused the air bag warning light to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000.

On May 8th of this year, my fianc were involved in a rear end collision. That morning, the Hyundai Tucson in front of us stopped short and we ran into the back of it doing around 35 an hour, and ended up with our vehicle (Subaru Impreza) being totaled. I'd like to provide pictures to show the impact, as even car experts have been surprised that the airbags didn't deploy. As it turns out, a sedan hitting into the back of an SUV means that the airbag sensors may be untouched (because they're too low) and therefore, airbags will not deploy, even if the accident severe. To me, that is a defect in the design and should be reconsidered going forward. My fianc broke his foot , which caused him to be out of work for at least 4 months and I got whiplash.

My vehicle is identified in the accident report as unit 2. Unit 1 attempted to make an improper/careless left turn onto mauch chunk rd. Unit 2 was in motion traveling straight across the intersection when unit 1 tried to make an illegal left turn and struck unit 2. Unit 1 was responsible for the accident. Initial impact point was 10 o'clock. Air bags did not deploy on unit 2. Unit 2 was declared a total loss. With all damage on the front end of unit 2. Time of accident was Monday, 7/27/2020. Driver of unit #2 suffered ankle, leg, shoulder injuries along with a concussion. All of these symptoms appeared within 24 hours after the accident. Driver of unit #2 is under doctors care at this point. Juristiction in which incident occurred is allentown, pa. Owner of unit 2 has received settlement for the destroyed vehicle that is now owned by erie insurance. …

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that she sustained a neck and brain injury from the impact that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

1. Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. No safety inspector has inspected the car yet. The insurance appraiser has inspected the car for the insurance company. 4. There were no warnings or dashboard lights indicating that the airbag had a problem and would fail to fully deploy.

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and while attempting to avoid a collision with a second vehicle, the contact lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained facial and dental injuries along with injuries to the left knee, left arm, and chest which required medical treatment. The vehicle was not towed. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 46,000.

While car was slowing in a parking lot area, turning and braking (have witness to attest to this), it had sua (sudden unintended acceleration) as I was about to park and the vehicle went over a curb and through a building wall in less than 10 seconds. The air bags did not deploy. This car also had a recent recall involving the electrical brake system lights/sensors. There was no alcohol, pills or anything of that sort involved and nor was a cell phone in play and no distractions. The car was being parked, as is the case everyday and there was a jolt of acceleration as I was doing so, which in turn caused confusion and panic. My foot was not on the acceleration as this happened. I am very fortunate that no one was hurt. Although, seeing how I have never been involved in a wreck before, this has all been very traumatic. …

Related recalls (19)

NHTSA investigations