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2004 Subaru Outback Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Jul 26, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 90 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Subaru Outback submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Jul 26, 2019

I GET CARDS,I CALL,I GET LETTERS ,I CALL DOESN'T MATTER WHO SENDS THEM,YOU OR SUBARU DEALER ,TELLING ME I NEED TO HAVE AN AIRBAG SWAPPED OUT AS BEING DEFECTIVE,AND ME TELLING YOU I DO NOT HAVE THE CAR ANYMORE,IT WAS PICKED UP BY AN AUCTION HOUSE BUT IT NEEDED ALOT DONE TO IT SO THEY MAY HAVE SCRAPPED IT,I DON'T KNOW. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THIS IS THE LAST YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME ABOUT THIS CAR, AND YOU CAN WASTE AS MANY TREES SENDING ME NOTICES. FROM NOW ON THEY GO IN THE TRASH,NO MORE CALLS FROM ME,AND DON'T CALL ME ABOUT IT,THE CAR WAS JUNKED,PERIOD

NHTSA ID
11235103
Incident
Jan 13, 2016
Mileage
162,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2018

NOTIFICATION OF AIRBAG PASSENGER FRONT RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11092692
Incident
Aug 24, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 23, 2018

2004 SUBURBAN OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ID
11079348
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 30, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. ON WAITLISTS AT 2 LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS.

NHTSA ID
11041059
Incident
Oct 30, 2017
Airbags
Filed Sep 30, 2017

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN JULY 2016..I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE INFORMED BY MAIL WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. IT'S 14 MONTHS LATER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND STILL CANNOT HAVE PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ID
11030656
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
184,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 18, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU MONTHS AGO AND HAVE THEY HAVE STILL NOT CONTACTED ME TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. SINCE I WAS ADVISED NOT TO ALLOW A PASSENGER IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO USE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10945911
Incident
Oct 2, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016, AND AM STILL WAITING! IT IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT NOT TO BE ABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?

NHTSA ID
10935132
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Nov 9, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU OR THE DEALER THAT THE PART HAS BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE CALLED BOTH SUBARU AND THE DEALER. I HAVE WAITED THREE MONTHS, THAT IS TOO LONG .

NHTSA ID
10925244
Incident
Jul 8, 2016
Mileage
260,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (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 VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10920333
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 17, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO 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 UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10916646
Incident
Oct 17, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (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 ID
10916597
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 14, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN JULY OF 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY IN THE FORM OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED I SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE RECALL WORK IS COMPLETE. THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE SOLUTION FOR A PROBLEM WITH A PASSENGER VEHICLE AS IT PREVENTS MY USE OF THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED AND AS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE REQUIRED TO COMMIT TO COMPLETING THE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER, SUCH AS 60 TO 90 DAYS.

NHTSA ID
10906366
Incident
Jul 22, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 7, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED, "DO NOT LET PASSENGERS USE THE SEAT", NO DATE FOR REPLACEMENT, NO PARTS IN STOCK, DOES THIS ABSOLVE THE COMPANY OF ANY LIABILITY? CANT TAKE ANY TRIPS WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS THAT WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE REAR SEATS? WHAT OPTIONS ARE LEFT FOR ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TAKING MY FAMILY ANYWHERE???

NHTSA ID
10904380
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: REMEDY NOT TO DRIVE CAR WITH PASSENGERS UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IS ONE THAT HAS ME WONDERING IF I NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF THE CAR AND GET ANOTHER THAT I CAN USE. CAN WE BE PROVIDED AT LEAST WITH SOME SORT OF ESTIMATION OF 'WHEN' PARTS ARE FORECASTED TO BE AVAILABLE?

NHTSA ID
10899357
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2016

V

NHTSA ID
10892880
Incident
Aug 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2016

SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON PASSENGER AIRBAGS (NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V-359). THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THERE IS NO SCHEDULE OF WHEN THEY MAY BE, AND THE VEHICLE OWNER IS INSTRUCTED TO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE, UNSAFE SOLUTION. IN ADDITION, THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION LISTED DOES NOT WORK. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY MY VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

NHTSA ID
10892434
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2015

I CANNOT DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE IS ON THE TIKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST. THE DEALER SAYS IT ISN'T. THE NHTSA SITE SAYS IT IS, THE VIN SHOWS IT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY. MY QUESTION IS IF THE 2004 OUTBACKS ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR IF THE NHTSA INFO IS WRONG....PLEASE ADVISE.....UPDATED 10/02/15*BF UPDATED 12/28/15*JS

NHTSA ID
10743586
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10705701
Incident
Apr 13, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 19, 2014

MY SUBARU HAS THE TAKATA AIR BAG AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. SUBARU HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST TO REPLACE THIS DANGEROUS, DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659193
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
40,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2014

THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE REFLECTS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AS ONE LISTED IN THE AIR BAG RECALL ALERT. CHECKING WITH MY DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AT GOLDSTEIN SUBARU, IN ALBANY, N.Y. AND HE ASSURES ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. LAST WEEK I SENT TWO E-MAILS TO SUBARU REQUESTING CLARIFICATION AND HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 10 AND 1/2 YEARS AND IT IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. MY WIFE WILL NOT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT UNTIL THIS IS CLEARED UP. ' *TR

NHTSA ID
10658670
Incident
Nov 6, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2014

SUBARU HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAG IN MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651610
Incident
Oct 31, 2014
Mileage
40,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 29, 2014

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING A NATIONAL RECALL ON ALL CARS THAT HAVE OR MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAGS. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10651223
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2008

WITH YOUR APPROVAL, I HAD AN AOI ELECTRICAL AIR BAG SWITCH INSTALLED ON MY 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE AIR BAG ERROR LIGHT WILL NOT RESET AND SUBARU HAS INFORMED THEM THAT ALL AIR BAGS MAY BE IMMOBILIZED AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS. I CANNOT SEEM TO GET AOIELECTRICAL TO ATTEND TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249882
Incident
Sep 15, 2008
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jul 10, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

2002 L.L. BEAN OUTBACK ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, MAKING THE VEHICLE VIBRATE. VEHICLE WENT UP OVER PARKING BARRIERS AND SHRUBBERY AND ROLLED OVER. *KB THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF BODY PAIN, BUT REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A HESITATION IN SHIFTING AND VARIATION IN ENGINE SPEED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162633
Incident
Jun 7, 2006
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK COMES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS. WITH ONLY 900 MILES ON MY CAR, I WAS "T-BONED" BY A FORD EXPLORER UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. WE WERE STRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WITH ENOUGH IMPACT TO CAUSE MY WIFE, IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POST CAUSING A CONCUSSION. SUBARU CLAIMS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAGS PERFORMED CORRECTLY BY NOT DEPLOYING. TOTAL DAMAGE TO DATE INCLUDING DRIVE TRAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS IS $9000. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT TESTED THE SIDE IMPACT BAGS ON THE SUBARU MODELS. IF THAT IS TRUE, HOW CAN SUBARU CLAIM THAT THE BAGS RESPONDED CORRECTLY? *NLM

NHTSA ID
10049126
Incident
Aug 23, 2003
Mileage
900 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .