2009 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 48%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Subaru Legacy, 48% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 9 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.
“Takata airbags-- incident not mv related-- beaurucratic issue. I have received no help getting my airbags replaced. Tried several dealers. Their lies do not match up. Getting the run around. Very upset. Unacceptable service or lack there of, really.”
NHTSA complaint #10925607, filed 2016-11, 95,000 miles“My airbag warning light has periodically gone off & on over the last 2 years. I currently have less than 45,000 miles on it. Of course the day I had an appointment with Subaru, the light would not appear. Hoping airbag will work if ever in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10653521, filed 2014-11, 25,000 miles“On april 14th I was involved in a chain reaction accident on the i90 in amherst, new york. My 2009 Subaru Legacy was the last car of three involved. I incurred significant front end damage of at least $9,000. The most serious complaint is that the air bag never deployed. I complained to Subaru about this and wanted them to look at the vehicle. They refused and said it was not their issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10328625, filed 2010-05, 17,500 miles“The air bag indicator lights up on the panel when I start my car engine and the indicator light stays on and never goes off while I drive. I am worried that the air bags will release unnecessarily while I'm driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10726133, filed 2015-06, 34,332 miles“I drive a 2009 Subaru Legacy sedan. The air bag light began to turn on since about 52,000 miles. When I shut off the car, the airbag light goes away but then periodically comes on every now and then. Subaru is unable to answer as to why this is happening as a generic code is produced. I searched online forums regarding this issue and believe that there is a trend with the air bag system in the 2005-2009 Subaru Legacy's. …”
NHTSA complaint #10399418, filed 2011-05, 52,000 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
- 18V012000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2009–2013, Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2009–2013 +4 more
- 18V013000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2009–2010, Forester 2009–2010, Outback 2009–2010 +3 more
- 18V014000Jan 9, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2009, Forester 2009, Outback 2009 +3 more
- 17V026000Jan 11, 2017Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models)…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2009, Impreza 2006–2009, Tribeca 2006–2009 +3 more
- 17V014000Jan 10, 2017Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2009–2012, Impreza 2006–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011 +5 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
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10248224Dec 28, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated…
- 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
- 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 2009 Subaru Legacy
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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