2014 Subaru Outback Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  2
• Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
  2
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  213%
• 25k–50k
  744%
• 50k–75k
  425%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  319%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

my air bags didn't deploy when I hit a tree, and the seat belt gave loose. A police report was filed, and the car was evaluated by a collision center. The insurance company has not yet evaluated the vehicle. The air bag indicator light indicated the air bags were in good working order. I slid off the road in snow and hit a tree dead on and my entire front end crumpled, but my air bags didn't deploy and my seat belt was fully extended when I exited the vehicle to get into the ambulance.

The ODS in our 2014 Subaru Outback has failed, and there is a constant beeping indicating that the air bag system is not functioning properly. This was definitely an issue the last two winters, too, but with covid quarantine and illness, we were not able to address it then. The airbag warning lights and sounds persist whether the seat is unoccupied or occupied by a child (14 or 16) or adult. The dealer has diagnosed that the passenger seatbelt switch is also not working properly. Their recommended remedy is replacing the entire seat base (~$1,300). This vehicle also had a recall of the passenger side airbag inflator, which was replaced in May 2019 when our mileage was 88,000. The issue started when weather turned cold in the winter of 2019. When it is below about 45 degrees, the beeping starts, and it only ceases when the vehicle is warmed up and the engine is turned off then on again. …

The Roll Connector Harness failed, and use of the horn was disabled. It is due to the mechanical steering of the vehicle, and fails over time. As a multiple Subaru owner this has been a topic of safety with most of the owners with 2014 Subarus. Subaru changed the design/engineering of this part in 2016 due to the concern. Because they won't issue a recall, and the cost of repair is high ($400+), mainly due to the location of the part, many will not fix the issue. There is no way to warn other drivers or deer without use of the horn. This has put me in harm's way multiple times until I finally got it fixed. I have contacted my dealer who says it is one of the more common issues they see with this year and probably 2015 as well. It needs to be recalled so everyone with this problem can get their cars fixed instead of Subaru charging for a known problem and making money over safety.

Horn malfunctions. Press horn on steering wheel is dead silent. However, if I enable the Panic button on key, the alarm sounds. When I start the car after pressing Panic button, the horn I steering wheel works. Sporadic operation.

Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact was driving about 35 MPH, when an oncoming vehicle lost control and crashed into another vehicle, hit the guard rail and causing the contact's vehicle to rear end the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and two of her children, in the vehicle, received cuts and bruises that required medical attention. All three were taken to the emergency room. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was provided a case number. The contact stated that three months prior to the crash, the a recall (NHTSA campaign number: 19V009000 (air bags)) was repaired by the sheehy Subaru of springfield dealer (70- 957-1623, located at 6571 backlick road, springfield, va 22150. The failure mileage was 116,000.

I was driving at about 65 miles/hour on highway 17 near apalachin, ny, when a deer jumped from the right side and hit the front of my car. Both front airbags deployed. Immediately, the gas released from the airbags completely fogged the windshield reducing visibility zero, so I could not see where I was going during the braking period. Fortunately, I only shifted to the other line and there were no other cars around. The gas deposit remained on the windshield and I had to use a cloth to clean it. In my opinion, the fogged windshield resulting from the airbag deployment was a much higher safety hazard than the collision with the deer itself. An unrelated complaint is that after the car stopped, the doors were blocked (would not open) for half a minute or so.

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The air bags deployed with excessive force while driving at approximately 20 MPH the contact's vehicle t-boned the front of another vehicle the contact sought medical attention for first degree burns and a cut on one side of the face. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, his vehicle t-boned the front of another vehicle. As a result the frontal air bags deployed with excessive force. The police department was present and a report was issued. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

As part of the Takata recall, we had the airbags on our 2014 Subaru Outback replaced by the dealer on May 8, 2019. On May 22, 2019, we were sitting at a city stoplight when we were hit head on by another driver going 40-50 MPH. In spite of a direct hit to the front airbag sensors, the airbags did not deploy on our 2014 Subaru Outback. When we notified the dealer who did the replacement of the failed airbags, they refused to comment.

We have had three accidents involving the same thing. You can't seem to slow the car down enough to stop it. Two of the times, we have pulled into a parking place,going at a low speed,and when you step on the brake,the car accelerates and jumps forward instead of stopping. Also the air bags doesn't come on.

Passenger airbag light and warning tone sound when occupant is in seat and car is moving. Been to the dealer 6 times. The seat belt latch was replaced, occupant detection sensor replaced, seat was replaced. Sensors recalibrated by dealer. Problem still persists and we're now told it can't be fixed. Dealer will not say if the airbags will or will not deploy in an accident. Car is essentially undriveable as the warning tone is constant and passenger restraint and safety system is compromised.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Outback years