2003 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 27%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 132,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Subaru Legacy, 27% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 132,800 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 8 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have an airbag recall on this vehicle and have received a notice to get it serviced. When calling my local Subaru dealership they told me I'd be put on a waiting list and that they are booked out through the end of the year. In the notice it states that this could kill me or my passengers. Waiting till the end of the year doesn't seem like they care about my safety. The dealership was gustman Subaru of appleton wisconsin.”
NHTSA complaint #11242391, filed 2019-08, 143,000 miles“Traveling west on i90 near mentor ohio I attempted to stop my 2003 Subaru Legacy wagon on a snow covered portion of the road. My speed was about 45 MPH. Traffic stopped suddenly, and when I applied the brakes, the car would not stop. Also, the ABS brake system did not activate. Further, upon impact with the truck in front of me, the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10313651, filed 2010-02, 79,800 miles“Takata recall - I have been waiting for several months after responding to the recall notice and still no new airbag, dealership can't tell me when it will be fixed. This makes it difficult to keep driving this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10934775, filed 2016-12, 195,000 miles“Are the dealers required to turn in the old air bags that they replace on recall? After the dealer checked my airbag serial number, which took all day, even though all they had to do is open the glove compartment and look, the dealer had me sign two identical pieces of paper with large dollar amounts on them. The piece of paper I received had all zeros for the dollar amounts, since the dealer lied to me about having to remove the dashboard to check the airbag, I am suspicious. Could the dealer use the papers I signed to claim to have replaced the airbag, but not done so??? …”
NHTSA complaint #11061248, filed 2018-01, 97,000 miles“Air bags failed to deploy in mva that probably totaled my 2003 Subaru Legacy wagon(no official word from adjuster yet). Hit by a drunk driver(blood alcohol level.3). Hit by an '83 chevy citation with no front bumper. He was going 40-45 MPH, I was braking madly from 42 MPH. Subaru says sensors are mounted on bumper, but even so, what about suvs and trucks. I was very lucky and walked away with minimal injuries, but this failure could have killed someone else. Please look into it asap. +”
NHTSA complaint #10028598, filed 2003-07, 30 milesRelated recalls
- 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2014, Outback 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 more
- 16V358000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2004, 2009–2011, Impreza 2006–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011 +4 more
- 16V359000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2004, Baja 2003–2006, Impreza 2006–2008 +3 more
- 16V361000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2004, Outback 2003–2004, Baja 2003–2004
- 15V323000May 28, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2008, Outback 2003–2008, Baja 2003–2004 +2 more
- 14V763000Dec 1, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2003–2005, Outback 2003–2005, Baja 2003–2005
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10248223Dec 28, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10244915Oct 30, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10237234May 2, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10235277Apr 4, 2023Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
- 10194843May 14, 2021Takata Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Replacement.
- 10171869Feb 4, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171076Jan 15, 2020SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10171075Jan 6, 2020Takata Like for Like recalls- TKA20 (Zone A), TKB20 (Zone B), TKC20 (Zone C).
- 10139522May 27, 2016Subject: Takata Recall Expansion ? New Subaru Recall Campaigns TKA-16, TKB-16, TKC-16 covering all non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators. Each phase of the expansions will…
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 2003 Subaru Legacy
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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