2008 Subaru Outback Air Bags Problems
- 94
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- airbag light · 33 records
- takata recall · 26 records
- warning light · 22 records
- issue failure · 18 records
- failure parts · 17 records
- passenger airbag · 15 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 25 |
| 30–60k mi | 17 |
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Air Bags
The airbag warning light occasionally illuminates while driving or idling and can remain on for minutes, hours, or consistently over consecutive driving days. In some instances, illumination occurs during cold and/or humid weather. The problem is suspected to be caused by a failure in the overhead/map lamp assembly pc board. Upon visual inspection of the board, numerous surface mount components had solder cracks at…
ODI 10816210
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 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. A unknown local dealer was contacted and stated that parts were unavailable for three months. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…
ODI 10991543
Air Bags
The airbag light came on without any crash or front end impact. The diagnostic code indicates that it is the passenger air bag module. It is a hard fault since it is unable to be cleared. According to my research this is a well known problem that has not been addressed by subaru. This is my daughter's car. According to technician, this is an unsafe condition in which the airbags will not deploy.
ODI 10795283
Air Bags
The airbag light on the front dash comes on without any crash or front end impact. My vehicle has 45k miles on it. According to my research, this is a well known problem that has not been addressed by subaru. The subaru dealer diagnoses this as a code 26 which requires the overhead console to be replaced at a cost of about $400. This is an unsafe condition in which the airbags will not deploy in an accident unless…
ODI 10809095
Air Bags
Nothing happened yet, just want the airbag replaced.
ODI 10916274
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the map light air bag unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
ODI 10744948
Air Bags
I am following on this complaint from many subaru outback owners about the airbag light malfunction i think should be addressed, definitely a recall issue that should be taken care by subaru.
ODI 10731018
Air Bags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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.
ODI 10837463
Air Bags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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.
ODI 10837429
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v323000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed that the parts were backlogged due to inclement weather. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
ODI 10953690
Air Bags · Electrical System
Bought a used 2008 subaru outback in april of 2015, and shortly afterwards began seeing the airbag dash light occasionally upon startup. The airbag light would remain on until the vehicle was turned off, and would often come on and stay on when the vehicle was started again. Overhead passenger airbag indicator also was malfunctioning, and did not indicate on or off. Vehicle was serviced at dealership on 3/22/2016,…
ODI 10851037
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. While reversing at more than 25 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
ODI 10750242
Air Bags · Exterior Lighting
2008 subaru outback. The dash instrument panel airbag warning light would intermittently come on and stay on for extended periods of time. The red airbag light would occasionally turn off but for the most part it was on continuously. Dealership advised that when the red airbag warning light is illuminated the airbag system is inoperative. The vehicle was taken to our local dealership on 3/30/2015 and the service…
ODI 10706472
Air Bags
Red "airbag" dash light comes on and stays on. This renders airbags inoperable and creates an unsafe driving condition. An accident without airbags is a safety issue. The overhead passenger side airbag indicator assembly failed and needed to be replaced for $333.24. Research indicates that poor soldering on the airbag circuit board causes the indicator assemble to fail. Based on the number of complaints, and the…
ODI 10693399
Air Bags · Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Having airbag light coming on intermittently along with passenger airbag light. Mechanic said airbags probably are not functioning properly. Cost for repair would be between $350-$400. From reading other complaints, this is an easy and cheap fix but dangerous if it's not repaired. This should be a recall! *tr
ODI 10702116
Air Bags
Airbag light comes on intermittently on my 2008 subaru outback. I?m not sure under what specific conditions, sometimes the light stays on for days. And recently it has been on continuously. The airbag led indicator for the passenger seat does not work. I took the outback to the subaru dealer, and they said i needed to replace overhead console module due to shorting and charged me $117 for the inspection, $137 for…
ODI 10690457
Air Bags · Electrical System
I'm updating my 2/3/15 complaint 10680982. I contacted subaru directly on the same day and included a copy of the complaint i filed with nhtsa and my bill for the replacement of the overhead airbag control module. In the report the subaru tech said the unit was shorting out, showing code "26 for passenger?s airbag indicator failure and s8 airbag light on." i also gave subaru my tally of my first cursory search of…
ODI 10683065
Air Bags
Airbag light comes on intermittently on 2008 subaru outback, not sure under what specific conditions, sometimes the light stays on for days. Dealer service said i needed to replace overhead console module due to shorting and charged me $350. After researching the problem i found many people had solved this problem with simply soldering the connection for almost no cost. Dealer service never offered to try soldering,…
ODI 10680982
Air Bags
Air bag warning light stays on, and the air bag system is disabled while the light is on. This is a very well known and documented problem that can be cured; however, because of the cost it has not been remedied. The part used is the primary culprit and regrettably has been installed in subaru vehicles across several model years. Subaru the manufacturer has failed to respond responsibly; ergo, nhtsa action is needed…
ODI 10669760
Air Bags
Air bag warning light intermittently turns on. Likely due to a faulty electrical connection behind the map light console. Airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident! This is an incredibly common problem and subaru refuses to address it. *tr
ODI 10659622
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the over ead console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
ODI 10790543
Air Bags
Air bag light intermittently comes on while driving and stays on. I notice this more in the early morning when it's cold but it's been happening on a more frequent basis now. I've been told the airbags would not deploy in an accident if the light is on. This is a serious safety issue that subaru is fully aware of.
ODI 10789512
Air Bags
The airbag light on the dash illuminates due to a flawed part in the system. This is a common problem with this series of subarus and disables the airbags while the car is in use, a very dangerous and possibly deadly problem. Subaru has been aware of this problem for years but refuses to do anything about it. The part and its replacement are expensive and often does not get repaired because it is at the owner's…
ODI 10662444
Air Bags · Electrical System
The airbag warning light is frequently on for extended periods of time (days, weeks,months). The issue and subaru's unwillingness to address it are well documented in complaints filed with nhtsa by other subaru owners and on various subaru owner websites. For example, see http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/subaru/outback/air_bags/problem.aspx there is conflicting advice on whether illumination of the dashboard…
ODI 10761622
Air Bags
Airbag dash light on rendering airbags inoperable. No crash. Fault in part. Significant safety issue. Why no recall. *tr
ODI 10631141