2009 Subaru Outback Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  211%
• 25k–50k
  317%
• 50k–75k
  422%
• 75k–100k
  317%
• 100k–150k
  528%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Car stalling at stops. Received a report on all work done on this car stating issues with catalytic converter and that Subaru repaired before I bought the car. I also had loss of all brakes when the lines leaked out November 2022 . I had brakes repaired cost of $1000.so far since buying this car I have not been able to drive the car because of the stalling issues.

My airbag light on the dashboard has been turning on and off with no apparent consistency since the beginning of January. Sometimes, its on, sometimes not, I made an appt to take it to a Subaru dealer, months ago, then a couple days before, it went off and stayed off for many weeks. (I had cancelled the appt.) then it came on again, so I took it to a Subaru dealer that day and they diagnosed it as a problem with the overhead map light assembly. They scanned the system and found code 26. Apparently the airbag sensor runs through that assembly and there is a connection that wears out and becomes disconnected, resulting in the airbag not being able to deploy when needed. The Subaru service rep said that is a common problem and they have made many of those repairs. …

Problem 1: experienced rear wiper (station wagon) not working. Car still under warranty, took it to the dealer and was told the wiring harness that goes through the hinge area was broken. It was repaired. Now the car has 72,000 miles and I am having rear wiper problems again as well as the rear door not locking. Wires frayed and broken again. This is a known issue both with Subaru and on the forums on the web. This is a poor design and possibly dangerous as it can cause the rear lights to fail. Failure time frame was almost double mileage from the previous failure. (35,251 - 72,000). Problem 2: air bag light keeps coming on. Have had it to the mechanic several times to be checked out and reset. This is also a known problem with Subaru and on the web forums. This is a serious safety issue as the air bags could fail to deploy. …

The red light on the dashboard (where the speedometer is) for driver's air bag comes on when the temperature goes below about 44 degrees. It stays on 95% of the 8 winter months. I bought this used (2014) from a dealer, and told the service manager about it. He said unless it comes on 100% of the time, then dont worry about it. I came back 1 time and complained again, hoping a "sensor check" might be covered since I had bought the extended warranty on it. He again said "dont worry about it." -- the passenger red light on the overhead box also stays on all the time. It does not flash or beep unless I have some heavy boxes on the seat, so I ignore it. I am just worried that neither air bag will work in an emergency. I cannot get an answer (or search) that answers that. It is frightening. When the car is started, and when moving, this happens. Only shutting the car off shuts off the light. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the brakes were depressed, the vehicle accelerated forward unexpectedly and then in reverse before crashing into two other vehicles and a brick wall. The vehicle was destroyed. The police and fire department were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 22,000. Updated 10/31/12 the consumer stated as she pulled into a vacant spot, with her foot on the brake, the vehicle emitted a roar and surged over a curb upwards and crashed into a tree, with her foot still on the brake. The vehicle went backwards and hit an SUV parked illegally behind her car. The vehicle then continued backwards, hit another car and finally crashed into the outside wall of a library and stopped. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. After the vehicle was restarted from being driven, the engine remained abnormally hot and the air bag warning indicator was consistently illuminating. The failure recurred on several occasions when restarted after being driven and progressed during humid weather. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 1/19/16 ln the dealer found a code indicating a problem with the passenger air bag. The dealer replaced the map light assembly which included the air bag control electronic module. Updated 03/29/16

When car is running, the red aiir bag warning light on dashboard console stays on. A Subaru dealer mentioned the control module (circuit board) in the overhead compartment console would have to be replaced. I have found that the soldering on the circuit board is flimsy and prone to cracking. Apparently there is a danger that the air bags will not deploy if the warning light is on.there are a number of online forums that detail others having the same issue. The forums recommended fix is to apply solder. Here is one example: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/109-gen-3-2005-2009/42574-2006-obw-airbag-light-my-fix.html

Takata recall. On 7/29/16 we received notice of the recall from Subaru of America. We contacted hansel Subaru in santa rosa to schedule the replacement. They said they did not have the replacement parts and put us on a waiting list. I've tried to call them again 10/13/16 & left voice message, sent them email 10/14/16. Hansel is not returning calls or answering calls to their service dept. I called the Subaru of America number today, 10/17/16 and only got a busy signal. As instructed, we are not using the front passenger seat. This is a real inconvenience and we are frustrated with the delay in getting the replacement..

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently during hot weather. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side air bag warning indicator failed. The mechanic did not specify if the air bag module or inflater was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

"Takata recall" 9/7/2016 voice mail svc.mgr @ local Subaru dealership ([redacted]), no reply 9/12/2016 called svc rep took VIN, will have svc adv call me. 9/13/2016 svc. Adv. [redacted] called me - back ordered airbag, will call me back. 10/28/2016 called [redacted] dealership for status, they never returned my call.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Outback years