2008 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 38%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Subaru Legacy, 38% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 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.
“On june 17 airbag light went on at startup and stayed on until I arrived at work. When leaving after 9hrs the light was off at startup. Since then the light comes on at least twice a week and stays on for two or three days then goes off. I am extremely concerned about their deployment in the event of an accident. I do plan on taking the vehicle to the dealer .”
NHTSA complaint #10733498, filed 2015-07, 96,925 miles“Airbag light keeps coming on and off. I took it to the dealership in january and spent over $100 to have them tell me nothing was wrong. Now it keeps coming on and off all the time as of july 2014 until now. This is a common problem and is something that should be covered because it is a safety requirement by law likes seatbelt.”
NHTSA complaint #10648605, filed 2014-10, 75,000 miles“The airbag light on the dash came on while my daughter was driving this vehicle. Because the light had never come on while driving before and I had the same problem approximately two months earlier with my 2009 Subaru outback (vehicle safety complaint on file), I told her to find a safe area and stop and turn the car off and then turn it back on. After doing so she told me the light was now off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593669, filed 2014-05, 90,537 miles“Air bag problem light is on constantly whenever it's cool and humid, or cold outside. I've scanned for trouble codes, but no codes are present. A non-Subaru garage did troubleshooting but was unable to find any cause. Given other complaints, I'm distressed that this is a pervasive issue with the potential for serious injury or death. Subaru needs to do the right thing and fix these issues before anyone loses their lives.”
NHTSA complaint #10726140, filed 2015-06, 3,000 miles“Red airbag indicator in instrument cluster begun coming on/off once or twice a week then became constant. Observed passenger airbag indicator had no lights on(no illumination at all) searched forums and found multiple similar cases with no resolve from the dealership. As a mechanic myself I began my own diagnosis, cause: removed overhead control panel and performed electrical testing on passenger airbag circuit. Found open circuits between component contacts. Correction: retinned contacts and added solder. Haven't had an airbag light since the repair.. …”
NHTSA complaint #11298303, filed 2020-01, 109,345 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
- 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
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).
- 10140516Apr 12, 2016Recall Bulletin Revised. UPDATE ? April 2016: New and different inflators are available for affected 2004-2005 Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles. As a result, there are different…
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 2008 Subaru Legacy
13 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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