2011 Subaru Legacy Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  215%
• 25k–50k
  323%
• 50k–75k
  323%
• 75k–100k
  431%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  18%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

2 car collision on a city street. Both cars in motion. Our car was turning left onto the main road and was hit in the left front area causing significant damage resulting in the total loss of both vehicles. The driver of our car was taken by ambulance to the hospital to be checked out. The driver of our car suffered a head injury on the left side resulting in pain and in particular short term memory loss. The accident report is available thru the kirkland, wa police department, case #20-19103. Although the report does contain errors and omissions it mostly describes what happened and includes several photos. The reason for this complaint is we are wondering why the airbags (side ones in particular) did not deploy? We feel it's very likely the head injury would not have happened had the airbag(s) deployed.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle could be driven to the contacts residence, however the contact became aware of the power steering belt snapped causing the vehicle to be difficult to maneuver. The contact then stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000. Updated 05/17/16

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy until 4 or 5 seconds later. Prior to the air bag deploying, burning fumes emitted into the vehicle. The contact did not indicate if a police report was filed or if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician was not able to determine why the air bags deployed with a delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 4/30/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 10/23/15

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Subaru Legacy. While driving 75 MPH, the contact took his eyes off the road and crashed into a retaining wall. The front driver's air bag deployed and pinned his head between the driver's window and air bag. The occupant sustained a knot on his head, which required medical attention. A police report was filed with nashville metro police (#2017-1079256). The vehicle was towed to hillwood wrecker service and deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.

I had a 2011 Subaru legacy2.5;at 1130 am,I was pulling into a parking space at a local convenience store near us that we often go to,when suddenly on turning right into the space I heard the engine "rev"at a fast speed even though I had lifted my foot from the accelerator.(I used to drive a manual shift,and it reminded me of the sound an engine would make when trying to upshift too fast between gears)before I could react the car surged forward into the space,and I was barely able to slam the brake before it covered the 6 to 8 feet and hit a guard post,crumbling the front end to where the engine is bent and the car a total loss. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The passenger seat belt warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to burlington Subaru (351 shelburne rd, burlington, vt 05401, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover a portion of the cost for the repairs. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Subaru of America's recall campaign: tka-16, NHTSA no. 16v-358 states that: the parts are not available to fix the airbag problem. Their letter also states: 'until this repair is performed, do not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat.' however they have not authorized the dealerships to manually turn the airbags off while they wait on parts. The NHTSA should immediately enact a ruling that Subaru do this immediately.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru Legacy. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the radio became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V283000 (steering). The failure mileage was 50,000.

Passenger air bag sensor indicator light will intermittently show indicator as off with occupant in passenger seat (weight approx. 110 pounds). Passenger removes all weight from seat and reapplies weight in same position and/or reset procedure detailed in manual performed and sensor will usually come back on. Vehicle has visited authorized repair facility on three occasions regarding issue and first two visits repair attempt made in form of "re-zeroing weight sensor" (first attempt) and "passenger occupant detection sensor calibration procedure" (second attempt). Third visit was told by service manager that part is performing within Subaru specifications. Called soa customer service today and spoke to supervisor who said part was performing within specifications (and federal safety specs) due to authorized facility last stating as such despite still having issues. …

Takata recall: I am concerned with driving my vehicle with the Takata airbags installed. Even though the airbags are on the passenger side, I am afraid the deployment of the airbags would still affect me as the driver. I am writing this complaint because I cannot access a rental car due to my age. I am 21 years old and am unable to access a rental car from my dealership due to my age. My dealership would be willing to rent and pay for a car if I were the proper age of 25. What concerns me about this is that I could be seriously injured as a driver if the airbags still deploy. I personally believe the dealership or rental companies need to make exceptions for those under the age of 25. I don't know what that exceptions would be, but I am afraid to drive others, let alone myself, in a car that is considered unsafe at the moment. …

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Legacy years