1996 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 18%of 123 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,483miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Subaru Legacy, 18% of the 123 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,483 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1996 Subaru outback experienced an air bag malfunction on 6/14/2005. While driving down our local highway at 55 MPH the vehicle's air bag suddenly deployed. The sudden deployment caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but due to the mileage on the vehicle they refused to contact the manufacturer about repairs. The insurance inspector believes that the failure was due to a malfunction in the system because there was no damage to the front end of the vehicle to indicate a 55 MPH crash.”
NHTSA complaint #10128579, filed 2005-10, 98,966 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Subaru Legacy. The contact was driving 5 MPH when another vehicle crashed into his bumper and the air bags deployed. There were no physical damages to the vehicle and there were no injuries reported. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to a local auto mechanic to have the air bags and the windshield repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 108,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10430912, filed 2011-10, 108,000 miles“Vehicle was at a stand still when it was hit head on. Front air bags did not deploy until passenger went through windshield, and driver hit steering wheel. Consumer has not yet made any contact with manufacturer or dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #893395, filed 2001-08“Vehicle hit deer, minimum damage to vehicle. But, both airbags deployed. Passenger's air bag broke, passenger injured face. Passenger had seatback all the way, and was leaning back at time of deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #877309, filed 2001-01“Both airbag's deployed during front end collison. The passenger's side air bag shattered the front windshield, broke the rear view mirror free of it's mounting bracket, and sent glass throughout the vehicle.534534 dup of 540917; posted on 09-07-1999.”
NHTSA complaint #540917, filed 1998-04Related recalls
- 98V315000Dec 11, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Inadvertent air bag deployment can occur after undercarriage contact of the tow hooks with curbs, dips, speedbumps…Covers: Subaru Legacy 1995–1996, Impreza 1994–1995
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 18% |
| 2023 | 2 | 20% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2021 | 6 | 19% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 6% |
| 2014 | 14 | 26% |
| 2013 | 14 | 21% |
| 2012 | 11 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 15% |
| 2010 | 28 | 19% |
| 2009 | 31 | 48% |
| 2008 | 25 | 38% |
| 2007 | 12 | 36% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 21 | 11% |
| 2004 | 26 | 53% |
| 2003 | 16 | 27% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 12% |
| 1998 | 11 | 10% |
| 1997 | 10 | 7% |
| 1996 | 22 | 18% |
| 1995 | 46 | 25% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 13% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Subaru Legacy
22 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Subaru Legacy
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