2006 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
  16%
• 25k–50k
  318%
• 50k–75k
  16%
• 75k–100k
  318%
• 100k–150k
  847%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

In March of 2021 I received an AirBag Recall letter. I took in my vehicle, letter in hand, very clear that the recall was why I was there. 40 minutes later, I was given a letter that said I had come in for "an airbag warranty extension and wanted it checked" and that I "might need a map light." I DO still have that letter. I asked "So, the airbag is actually alright?" and the Service Manager, Roy Valdivia said "yes." Since then I have driven my daughter and countless others, including work related clients in that passenger seat, having no idea that that airbag was essentially a pipe bomb. A Recall Specialist came to my door last week, [redacted], and told me I NEEDED to get this airbag replaced, it is "dangerous." I just came home from having that done. HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE STILL IN DANGER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF SUBARUS' CARLESSNESS?

While traveling thru the adirondack region of ny on a Sunday afternoon returning home from vt I proceeded to pass a vehicle from the center lane into the left lane. Speed was 65mph accelerating to 69mph to pass, not more than 250 ft later our vehicle started to fishtail then head right into numerous 360 spins taking out 35 ft or so of guard rail and crunching and damaging almost every side and corner of our Outback. Both hands were on the wheel, I did not hit any snow or ice that I am aware of and I was not speeding excessively. Not one of our airbags deployed either!! I am confident there was some sort of mechanical or electrical issue with the stability control of the 2006 Outback we were driving and am thankful we were not seriously injured.

Traveling from my home to denver, co I noticed the 'air bag warning light' come on. This has occurred on several occasions. I called the auto nation Subaru dealer to try and get an appointment. The service rep said they were full for the day. He asked me what the issue was and I told him about the 'air bag warning light' coming on. Moreover, he said that the air bag would not function with the warning icon on. He then asked me if I May have placed my cell phone in the passenger seat? I told him that I had indeed placed my cell phone in the passenger seat. The service rep added further that my cell phone May be interfering with the electronics of the air bag warning system. This sounded very odd to me. This phenomena is very disconcerting as it could readily result in serious injury if the air bag should fail to deploy in a head on collision. …

Subaru dealership refused to discuss safety issue recalls selling vehicle with open safety recalls and other safety issues that could have been easily remedied. The vehicle had been in for service and problems were not addressed. Dealership claims "sold as is" and buyer beware, after we had leased a new 2019 vehicle and purchased a like new used vehicle that had gone through their extensive multipoint inspections. Issues for air bags, fuel system leaking, potential fire and explosion, faulty seat latches as safety recall. Dealership has violated trust and exhibited no concern for anyone's safety. We can not trust this dealership for repair or service of our vehicles.

Takata recall I received written and email notification from Subaru this week (12/6/16) that my front passenger air bag inflator was subject to recall. Although the note claimed to be a "2nd notification", it is not. I have received no previous notification from Subaru that my airbag was dangerous and so have been driving with passengers. I now see that Subaru knew my airbag was dangerous one year ago but failed to inform me. I assume this was deliberate as they knew they did not have parts and did not want to have to provide me with a car that was safe to drive while they waited for the parts. This has put my family members at risk.

Hi, I'm writing you to to inform you of a safety issue with the 05-09 Subaru Outback airbag system. The passenger airbag notification board, located in the dome light assembly is assembled with poor quality solders between the board and diodes, this results in failure of the board, this is often seen in lower temperatures when the solders crack due to thermal contraction. When one of these solders fails, it causes 2 issues, 1, the indicator lights don't come on correctly, and 2, the entire airbag system is disabled. This is an issue known to the Subaru owners community. My dealer wants about $260 to fix it. Thanks.

Car intermittently loses all power as you are driving and RPM gauge goes up as cruise control and check engine light go on. A very dangerous situation that Subaru customers have complained about, but Subaru ignores need for recalls. Money spent on troubleshooting is ridiculous! Car works fine after pulling over and restarting after a couple of minutes, only to happen suddenly weeks later. Gas pedal accelerator assembly and or throttlebody issues. Also Subaru cars from 2006 and older all have head gasket leaks. They never recalled cars for that problem. That costs $1600. They used a different gasket material after 2007

Takata recall: notice was received 19 feb. 2016, NHTSA recall no. 15v-323, Subaru recall campaign wqr53. Autonation Subaru west, 16351 west colfax avenue, golden, co 80401, [phone], will not even enter my car in a wait queue. I must repeatedly call them until they have the inflator "in their hands" and then they will provide an appointment for me. More than 60 days have elapsed and I still cannot carry a front seat passenger! Subaru of America, inc. Should know this! Thank you, [redacted]

Takata recall on 2/16/16, I received an airbag recall notice and warning not to allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat until the repair is performed. I contacted my dealer, carter Subaru seattle the next day and was told an airbag would be ordered for me and would arrive in a few weeks. I called the dealer again on 3/8/16 and was told they have not received any airbag replacements and do not know when they will. I need to use my car for transporting my family. This is a hardship for me to be indefinitely without the abillty to use my front passenger seat.

Air bag light stayed on after engine start. Research indicated that the solder joints on the circuit board located in the overhead console fail over time (the same board that contains the indicator lights for the passenger air bag status). Apparently the air bag system is disabled when the air bag light stays on - meaning that none of the air bags May work if the circuit board becomes defective. Replacement board, if found, is over $300. I repaired mine by re-soldering the various bad contact points on the board.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Outback years