MyCarTSB

2005 Subaru Outback Airbags Problems

37 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

37
Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Crashes
Jan 2015Dec 2016
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Airbags Recalls (6)

RECALLCampaign #20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

RECALLCampaign #20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

RECALLCampaign #20V001000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

RECALLCampaign #15V323000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.

RECALLCampaign #14V763000

AIR BAGS

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.

RECALLCampaign #04V274000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. DURING A SIDE IMPACT TEST CONDUCTED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS), THE TEST RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IIHS TEST RESULTS AND THE RESULT OF SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY FHI.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. .

Owner Complaints (37)

mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2020

Your car had an airbag safety recall performed, but you kept receiving letters about the same recall afterward. You were concerned these continued letters might be a scam rather than legitimate communications from the manufacturer.

NHTSA #: 11361831
mediumAIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER (SERRA SUBARU OF TRAVERSE CITY, 1747 S GARFIELD AVE, TRAVERSE CITY, MI) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 11089817
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2018

2005 SUBARU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIRBAG COULD NOT BE REPLACED DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING AN INTOXALYSER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROCESS TO HAVING THE INTOXALYSER REMOVED AND THE RECALL COMPLETED WAS DIFFICULT. *JS

NHTSA #: 11065191
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (COLE SUBARU, RT 460 GREEN VALLEY SUITE 4, BLUEFIELD, WV 24701 (304) 305-4090) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS AND CONTACT HER ONCE THE PARTS ARRIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A POSTCARD FROM TK HOLDINGS, ALERTING HER THAT THEY FAILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 11048238
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2017

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA #: 11023793
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10990630
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10936751
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2016

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 #: 10927911
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2016

TAKATA RECALL WE CALLED IN MAY 2016 AND WERE PUT ON A "LIST" AND TOLD IT WOULD BE 7-8 WEEKS. WE WERE TOLD NOT TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR CAR, RENDERING IT FAIRLY USELESS. NOW IT IS NOVEMBER, MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AND WE ARE STILL ON THE LIST AND REPAIR IS STILL QUOTED AT 2 MONTHS.

NHTSA #: 10926851
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10917804
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10913992
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA #: 10911335
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10910158
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2016

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY SUBARU BACK IN FEBRUARY. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS NASHVILLE SUBARU, 1512 BROADWAY NASHVILLE, TN 37203. THEY ADVISED ME IT WOULD BE TWO WEEKS TO TWO MONTHS BEFORE THEY COULD REPAIR MY VEHICLE, AND I RECEIVED NO RESPONSE AFTER THAT. THEN, I CALLED BACK MAY 9TH, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO ORDER PARTS. AND NOW, TODAY'S SEPTEMBER 26TH AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT REPAIRED MY VEHICLE, AND I RECEIVED NO RESPONSE BY PUBLIC SERVICE.

NHTSA #: 10909811
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2016

SUBARU RECALL WQR-53, CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT IS ON EXTREME BACK ORDER WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A LOANER VEHICLE AS THE POTENTIAL FOR METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING A PASSENGER RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA #: 10904369
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2016

I NEED TO AVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED ASAP.

NHTSA #: 10898907
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10870308
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V613000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF UPDATED 07/21/16.*JB

NHTSA #: 10865835
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2016

TAKATA RECALL - IT IS COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE TO GET A RECALL AND TO HAVE THE PASSENGER RISKING DEATH AND FOR SUBARU TO NOT PRIORITIZE THIS IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE WHO HAVE ORDERED BACK IN FEBRUARY HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE REPLACEMENTS. UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO USE THAT SEAT????

NHTSA #: 10863753
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 10861489
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARA OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10860654
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST 1 1/2 MONTHS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS RECALL! I CALLED THEM THE DAY I RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER! MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT WITHOUT THE RECALL BEING DONE. SHE WON'T ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE WITH HER. HOW IS IT THAT MY DAUGHTER ACTS SO RESPONSIBLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER AND OEM DEALER WON'T! WHEN I CALL THE DEALER, THEIR ENTRY LEVEL RECEPTIONIST WON'T EVEN ALLOW ME TO TALK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO VOICE MY CONCERN. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE THIS RECALL IS CARRIED OUT. I FOR ONE, PRAY IT IS NOT ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THIS IS BEING HANDLED!!!

NHTSA #: 10855030
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2016

TAKATA RECALL. DESPITE BEING CONTACTED 2 MONTHS REGARDING THIS RECALL, AND BEING TOLD THAT WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW A PASSENGER TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ANY SUBARU DEALERSHIP. AS A SINGLE CAR HOUSEHOLD, THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA #: 10853143
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2016

TAKATA RECALL SUBARU CASE# [XXX] I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE ONGOING TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. UPON CONTACTING SUBARU MY WIFE WAS INFORMED BY "[XXX]" 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. BOTH MY WIFE AND I COMMUNICATED THIS TO "KYLE" AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY COVER $500. I PROCEEDED TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS HAVING A CERTIFIED LOCAL SHOP DO THE WORK, OR THAT BECAUSE MY AREA HAS A FAIR NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT THEY SHOULD SEND SOMEONE. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD NO AND NOT PROVIDED ANY OTHER REMEDY. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND FIND OUT WHY THERE IS ANY ISSUE IN GETTING THIS REPAIRED? IN THE MEANTIME MY FAMILY OF 5 IS HAVING TO TAKE TWO CARS, AND NOW I AM UNABLE TO SELL MY VEHICLE OR TRADE IT IN UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED. I AM NOT UPSET ABOUT THIS, ANNOYED YES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN MY AREA THAT SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY TO HAVE THEIR CARS FIXED IF SUBARU WILL NOT HONOR THEIR OWN COMMITMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10850930
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10845773
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2016

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.

NHTSA #: 10837254
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2016

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?

NHTSA #: 10836714
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2016

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.

NHTSA #: 10836767
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE....UPDATED04/04/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA #: 10820495
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2015

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*LJ UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN

NHTSA #: 10721820
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2015

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.

NHTSA #: 10671341
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V274000 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA #: 10380186
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jul 2010

IN 2008 THE AIRBAGS ON OUR CAR DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THE SEATBELT LIGHTS IN OUR CAR BEGAN DINGING AND FLASHING AS IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH WAS EMPTY, AND THEN THEY DEPLOYED ON MY HUSBAND. AFTER 3 OR SO MONTHS SUBARU HAD THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THEIR INVESTIGATION WAS INCONCLUSIVE TO WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENTS WITH NEW ONES ASSUMING THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. JULY 11 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AS IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH AGAIN WAS EMPTY, AND I PULLED UP AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AS I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT AND FEARED THEY MIGHT EXPLODE AGAIN AND WE WERE ABOUT TO TAKE A 6 HOUR DRIVE. WHEN WE REMOVED THE KEYS THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR REMAINED ON. SUBARU NOW HAS THE CAR AND IS INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS A TIMEBOMB AND I CAN'T IMAGINE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. THESE ARE THE EXACT SYMPTOMS WE HAD BEFORE THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED LAST TIME IT JUST HAPPENS WE WERE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING 55 DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10343117
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2008

NOVEMBER 15, 2008 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION. OUR CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP HERE IN PUERTO RICO WHERE THEY HAVE YET TO DISCOVER WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR IN SEATTLE BUT WE LIVE HERE BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS STATIONED HERE FOR THE MILITARY. WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET SUBARU OF AMERICA'S ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THIS DEPLOYMENT BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING DONE IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. WE ARE FEARFUL TO DRIVE OUR CAR AGAIN AND WANT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO BE A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE AND INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY MALFUNCTION IN THEIR VEHICLE. AS FAR AS WE KNOW THE SERVICE MANAGER HERE SENT THEM AN EMAIL INFORMING THEM THAT AFTER HE HAD LOOKED OVER THE CAR, HE SEES NO DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. THIS INFORMATION WE ALREADY KNEW, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION. SO FAR THIS IS THE EXTENT OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10251023
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2006

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.

NHTSA #: 10153786
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Nov 2005

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. *NM

NHTSA #: 10141553
lowAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2026

You received multiple recall notices about airbags for a 2005 Subaru Outback, but you don't own this vehicle. When you asked to be removed from the recall mailing list, the manufacturer said they need your complete Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to process the request — you had only provided a partial VIN. You'll need to provide your full VIN to get removed from future recall notices.

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NHTSA #: 11711440

Other 2005 Subaru Outback Issues