2016 Subaru Impreza Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 11%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,817miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Subaru Impreza, 11% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,817 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.
“The passenger seat sensor has been going off when nothing is in the seat. Because the sensor thinks something is in the seat the airbag for the passenger side is turned on. After going to the dealership, quirk Subaru, in bangor maine, they told me my cell phone was setting off the sensor. Their resolution to this problem, don't bring your cell phone into the car. The car can be moving or stationary and will randomly turn on. It's gotten worse over the last year happening about 4 times since august of 2018. …”
NHTSA complaint #11161996, filed 2018-12, 29,800 miles“The airbags turn off when it is raining or humid outside. Problems have been experienced when the car was stationary and when the car was in motion. Passenger airbag has turned off when there was a passenger in the seat; driver's side airbag has also turned off during raining/humid conditions. This has happened multiple times over the last few months.”
NHTSA complaint #11133615, filed 2018-10, 27,000 miles“While car was slowing in a parking lot area, turning and braking (have witness to attest to this), it had sua (sudden unintended acceleration) as I was about to park and the vehicle went over a curb and through a building wall in less than 10 seconds. The air bags did not deploy. This car also had a recent recall involving the electrical brake system lights/sensors. There was no alcohol, pills or anything of that sort involved and nor was a cell phone in play and no distractions. …”
NHTSA complaint #11231541, filed 2019-07, 28,817 miles“My 16 year old daughter was driving traveling at approximately 40mph on a ciity street when a deer jumped in front of her. She swerved to miss the deer, leaving the road and entering a heavely wooded lot. She came to a stop approximately six feet off the road stopped by a tree dead center in the front bumper. Even though she was traveling approximately 40 MPH, never locked up the brakes, and her rear pumper was only six feet off the road, the air bags never deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11013796, filed 2017-08, 7,000 miles“When driving with a front seat passenger the passenger becomes unrecognized and air bag lights come on. This happens intermittently. This happens will driving”
NHTSA complaint #11241421, filed 2019-08, 43,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10173127Mar 19, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
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 2016 Subaru Impreza
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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