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
Airbag light is intermittently coming on while driving. Checked online and found out this is a very common problem. When light is on vehicle air bags will not deploy in an accident. I don't understand why this problem was not handled by subaru as a voluntary recall. This is a serious safety issue. *tr
ODI 10638394
Air Bags
The airbag light on the dashboard came on. I also noticed the light that should have indicated that the passenger airbag was off was not lit. The airbags will not deploy when airbag light is on. After researching, i found several people with the exact problem and that it is related to faulty wiring in overhead map light console that contains the passenger airbag indicators. I purchase a new light console and the…
ODI 10628035
Air Bags · Electrical System
Air bag light in dashboard comes on and airbag light in overhead console does not display proper info. 55000+ hits in internet point to bad solder joints in overhead circuit board. Once loose resistors are re-soldered problem goes away. Dealers are charging up to $500 to replace overhead console. This problem of bad solder joints goes over several model years. Why has there not been a safety related recall over…
ODI 10622351
Air Bags
The passenger airbag light shows to be "off." i recently purchased this car and have an elderly friend in the passenger seat. In my concern, i searched other sites and found that others are posting this issue on various sites. From what i read, it's not clear if this means the passenger airbag is not working. I checked recalls and see that july 4, 2014 a recall was put out for this problem on certain subaru models…
ODI 10616172
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 89,400. Updated 08/25/14*lj
ODI 10614524
Air Bags
Air bag warning light turns on intermittently on dash and overhead. Not sure airbags are working. Dealer service department cannot find problem. *tr
ODI 10682393
Air Bags · Electrical System
The airbags light is on intermittently. The tech at the subaru dealership said it was a problem in the connection in the map light console. He indicated the airbags would deploy correctly. It appears to be a common problem with 2008 outbacks and other posters have indicated the airbag system will not work if dashboard airbag light is illuminated. Apparently many folks have found a weak/aged solder point to be the…
ODI 10705057
Air Bags
The airbag warning light comes on intermittently sometimes and other times stays on. I was told that this has been a problem with this year, make and model car and that the passenger airbag could be defective. This should be a recall by subaru as it is a safety issue. I have read numerous complaints online regarding this year outback. The consumer should not have to pay for a defective part that subaru is well aware…
ODI 10555783
Air Bags
Air bag sensor light periodically turns on when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat. Sometimes it turns on, sometimes not. You can reset the sensor and it goes away, for days or weeks. Numerous similar complaints found online. Mechanic can not find problem.
ODI 10775344
Air Bags
The airbag light has been on intermittently since 2010 did not repair as the code could not be read and outside of warranty. Now constantly on mechanics tells me that it is the indicator circuit above the rear view mirror.
ODI 10537950
Air Bags
After buying car noticed air bag light was on while driving home. Being a safety issue i started investigating. Looks to be fairly common. May be enough for a recall. Just wanted to report it for future reference. Dealer said shop did not notice light during their inspection. *tr
ODI 10534660
Air Bags
The air bag warning light on the dashboard came on and stayed on upon driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (perry subaru in norfolk, virginia), who said that the passenger front airbag indicator assembly was faulty. Dealer said there was no mandatory or voluntary recall on this part. A new air bag control module (part no. 92151ag13aor) was purchased by the owner and installed for a total cost of $364.40.…
ODI 10535963
Air Bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the air bag waring light illuminated and a passenger air bag warning message appeared. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
ODI 10496109
Air Bags
Airbag light stays on and passenger airbag light( off) stays off. I had my car serviced for coolant flush. I asked service manager about the issue he stated that it is in the maplight and if the light burns out the airbag on the dash will light up and possibly cause a malfunction in airbag deployment. So meaning as consumer i have to replace the entire maplight console and pay for something that is a known subaru…
ODI 10478875
Air Bags
The air bag light on our dashboard recently lit up. We had our mechanic look at the car and he said the car was not producing an error code. Some basic research on the internet revealed that this problem is becoming common and is related to a fault in the panel contained in the map light console, which includes the passenger air bag indicator lights. He replaced panel and that solved the problem. I have a couple…
ODI 10473066
Air Bags · Electrical System
Dash airbag light comes on intermittently, and this disables the airbag. Dealer states this is a known problem, but can only fix by trial and error replacing (expensive) components. It happens most on cold wet weather days, often goes off when car warmed up, so probably electrical. Has continued for years now, still happening at 105,000 miles. Many many examples on internet boards of people with this same problem.…
ODI 10668661
Air Bags
Airbag light on dash comes on intermittently. There appears to be a known defect in the overhead map light console that causes the problem. When occurring, the air bag system becomes deactivated and poses a decrease in safety. Subaru of america would not tell me how many of these units have been replaced or their reported rate of failure. *tr
ODI 10430616
Air Bags · Electrical System
Since the car was nearly new the airbag warning light comes on intermittently and now stays on continuously, rendering the airbag system inoperative. The vehicle was brought to the dealer the first time it happened but the dealer said no fault code was found. In december 2012 the warning light came on continuously. I brought it to the subaru dealer to diagnose and service the problem. The service manager stated that…
ODI 10491450
Air Bags
Airbag light stays on after starting, indicating malfunction in airbag system. 2008 subaru outback station wagon. Under warranty. Has been to dealer several times, they are unable to fix the condition. *tr
ODI 10279627