2003 Subaru Impreza Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Subaru Impreza, 6% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata air bag did not deploy. Side impact sensor did not work. The car traveled sideways into a large oak tree in excess of 35 MPH . The point of impact was where the side impact sensor was located . None of the airbags deployed . Subaru has been very uncooperative with answers as to why the airbags did not deploy . This happened upon a rural road in the fog . No other vehicles were involved .”
NHTSA complaint #10915984, filed 2016-10, 140,000 miles“- the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza wrx. The contact's vehicle was in an accident in which it was hit on the front right side while driving at 10 MPH and crossing a stop light. The contact stated that the weather was nice that day. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The current and failure mileage were both 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10184951, filed 2007-03, 50,000 miles“Car was involved in a head on crash at about 45 MPH into a fire hydrant in the city of bell. None of the airbags expanded at the time of the crash. Safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10514516, filed 2013-05, 126,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10094182Dec 17, 2014Service memo: wql© 48 front passenger air bag inflator recall (nhtsa id 14v© 399) ¨c second mailing
- 10068678Dec 17, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10093696Nov 6, 2014Parts memo: wql48, wqm49 takata front passenger air bag inflator recalls
- 10093691Nov 6, 2014Parts reminder: returns to takata for wql48 and wqm49 air bag inflator
- 10093470Oct 15, 2014Returns to takata for wql48 and wqm49 air bag inflator
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 11 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 11% |
| 2015 | 7 | 9% |
| 2014 | 38 | 35% |
| 2013 | 79 | 31% |
| 2012 | 105 | 43% |
| 2011 | 17 | 29% |
| 2010 | 6 | 13% |
| 2009 | 12 | 12% |
| 2008 | 37 | 21% |
| 2007 | 27 | 40% |
| 2006 | 20 | 36% |
| 2005 | 12 | 16% |
| 2004 | 14 | 15% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 2 | 18% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 10% |
| 1997 | 6 | 20% |
| 1996 | 5 | 25% |
| 1995 | 20 | 43% |
| 1993 | 11 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Impreza
26 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology