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Air bagsPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202413%
202117%
202034%
201942%
201821%
2017119%
2016811%
201579%
20143835%
20137931%
201210543%
20111729%
2010613%
20091212%
20083721%
20072740%
20062036%
20051216%
20041415%
200346%
200210%
2001218%
200025%
199929%
1998310%
1997620%
1996525%
19952043%
19931133%

Other parts of the 2016 Subaru Impreza

Other or unknown
19 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Suspension
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