2005 Subaru Outback Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  2

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  217%
• 25k–50k
  18%
• 50k–75k
  433%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  542%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact had received several recall notifications of an air bag recall for a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact never owned the vehicle and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the removal request could not be processed without the complete VIN. The contact had provided a partial VIN.

Takata recall. Subaru recall campaign wqr53. Notice received with instruction not to allow front passenger. Contacted six (6) local dealerships to remedy defect. All six advise they cannot schedule appointment to remedy defect as they have no parts and don't know when parts will be available. One dealer advised Subaru of America is not cooperating with local dealer. Each dealer advised to check back (in a month or two months) to see if they have parts. Without use of front passenger seat my vehicle is rendered useless. No other options provided; I.e., a loner car or a rental vehicle. Not the best way to run a railroad. Has a class action lawsuit been filed? If so, please advise as to legal counsel.

My passenger side tanaka airbag was replaced in April. Within six months of this recall, my passenger side airbag indicator's buzzer and light (error code 26) continue to indicate a passenger in the seat without a passenger present. I feel this is a safety issue because I have been told by my Subaru mechanic that the "passenger airbag May or May not deploy". I have found various blogs and forums indicating that I am one of hundreds to thousands that have this issue. I feel as though this safety issue should not be fixed at the financial burden of the consumer.

NHTSA recall 15v-323. Subaru notified me of this recall. They suggested no one sit in the passenger seat until the problem is repaired. But they are out of parts and don't know when it can be fixed. In a front or passenger side impact, the passenger air bag could still inflate, without a passenger, thus placing the driver at risk. So what do I do? Stop driving the car until Subaru fixes the problem? What can NHTSA do to make Subaru fix the problem asap?

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Subaru Outback. While driving at 25 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed. As a result the contact sustained a burn to the right arm that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 06/02/17 updated 10/17/2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that he had experienced a failure related the manufacturer's Takata air bag recall. The specifics of the failure experienced were not available. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the manufacturer's Takata air bag recall. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 15 MPH, the vehicle was hit in the front driver side wheel area. The airbags did not deploy. Although the seat belt was worn, the contact sustained minor injuries to the head, neck, and spine. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop.

Takata recall - I have children and my Subaru dealer is telling me I am not in a high priority group to have my airbag inflators replaced. I got a notice saying people should not ride in my passenger seat until it is fixed, but this is an impossible scenario for many people including myself and my family.

On July 13, 2005 I totaled my 2005 Subaru Outback by rolling it about three times. None of the airbags deployed-not even the side curtain airbags. I understand that the side curtain airbags are designed to deploy in a roll over.

Takata recall Subaru case# [redacted] I received a recall notice about the ongoing Takata airbag issue. Upon contacting Subaru my wife was informed by "[redacted]" that : 1) that only a "dealer" could do the repair work 2) Subaru would only cover $500 in transportation costs per the letter received: 1) "Subaru will replace the inflator for your front passenger air bag at no cost to you." 2) "until this repair is performed, do not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat" given that I am in alaska (zip 99901) and that there is no current Subaru dealer available in my area I was told that I would need to transport the vehicle to either juneau alaska, or seattle washington, both are only available by boat and after checking with multiple shipping and ferry services the cost would be around $1800 round trip to transport my vehicle. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Outback years