2018 Subaru Outback Airbags Problems

I was slowly backing out of a parking space, with no cars coming in either direction, and the car had a loud warning sound and my driver airbag deployed and exploded in my face. The car filled with smoke. I was only halfway out of the parking space when this happened, I was able to pull forward and park safely. I did not hit anything and there was no damage to the car whatsoever. Consequently all of the electronics in the steering column no longer work. Cruise control, stereo volume, mode changer etc.. My husband was able to tuck the airbag into the steering column and tape it, so we could drive home.

NHTSA ID

11636268

Incident

Jan 13, 2025

[XXX] at [XXX] We were sitting at a complete stop with our turn signal on, waiting for traffic to clear enough to turn left. It was dark/cold but otherwise good road conditions, no rain/snow/wind. We were suddenly slammed from behind in the rear/R passenger rear by the Black Dodge Journey. This impact then pushed us into the oncoming lane causing another vehicle to hit us in the front driver side of the vehicle. 911 was called at 1811 and the call lasted 3 minutes. SBPD was dispatched along with traffic control. The impact caused the visor on the passenger side to fall which caused broken facial bones. The headrest on the passenger side was completely dislodged and out of the seat upon inspection after the scene was secured. Drivers headrest was nearly out at the end of impact. Driver hit his head on the steering wheel. Entire back end of Subaru was smashed and a trail of what appeared to be gas from the tank made a visible line (~15 ft) of how far the car had been pushed on the road and across traffic. The man driving the journey reported that his “power steering went out while trying to pass on the shoulder.” Passenger had to forcibly push open the front passenger door to get out; the back passenger door was not usable and the gas cover popped out. The entire back end of the vehicle was smashed including the glass. The airbags on the Dodge Journey deployed, as well as the airbags in the vehicle that hit the Subaru in the front. NO airbags in the Subaru deployed. Medics were dispatched to the scene. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11580150

Incident

Dec 10, 2022

ABSB air bag safety system failed due to wiring harness damage under drivers seat. Wiring damaged by seat moving over harness when adjusting. Subaru dealer claimed that wiring damage was caused by rodent bites. This is an engineering flaw which creates a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11526535

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

SEVERE, HEAD-ON IMPACT TO DRIVER'S SIDE, OTHER CAR WAS TOTALED. POLICE EXPECTED BOTH CARS TO BE TOTALED, AND WERE SURPRISED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, HOWEVER, SHE TOOK A HARD HIT TO HER HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER. DEALER, INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, NOR HAS PROBLEM BEEN REPRODUCED. AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, OR INSURANCE REP., POLICE AND REPAIR FACILITY ONLY. NO WARNING LAMPS, ETC. WERE KNOWN TO HAVE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE AND AIRBAG ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID

11478467

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

I was rear-ended on August 30 in this vehicle while at a traffic stop by a truck traveling 65+mph. Upon impact, I was pushed into the vehicle in front of me at a high rate of speed. Despite being hit from behind and pushed into the vehicle ahead of me no airbags deployed in the vehicle. As a result, my head struck the steering wheel knocking me unconscious, and has resulted in a traumatic brain injury, labyrinthine concussion, whiplash, and damage to my vision and hearing. The vehicle was totaled out by my insurance company and the vehicle was sold to CoPart and I don't believe anyone has investigated it even though all parties have been made aware of it. Prior to the accident there were no warning lights and all vehicle safety systems appeared to be in working order.

NHTSA ID

11443513

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, a semi-truck crashed into the vehicle causing severe front-end damage but no airbags were deployed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was no longer drivable and was towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The insurance company was currently reviewing the vehicle to determine if it is a total loss. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

NHTSA ID

11423775

Incident

Jun 30, 2021

Mileage

13,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO AN OPEN LANE AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ALLSTATE INSURANCE TO AN OPEN LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,300. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE CAR. UPDATED 11/21/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11131816

Incident

Sep 26, 2018

Mileage

10,300 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE SRS OCCUPANCY DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOW OFF EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE WAS STILL IN THAT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON EVERY DRIVE WE TAKE IN THE CAR THAT LASTS MORE THEN 25 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

11097154

Incident

Jan 27, 2018

Mileage

1,243 mi