2012 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 12%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 12% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 9 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“On 2/19/14 I was driving s on inter 99 in lindley, ny in r lane when toyota passed me in l lane, lost control, crashed into concrete barrier on l and slid across l and r lanes causing me to crash into his passenger side. My air bag did not deploy and I was injured including permanently to hand. Front end damage $15,345. ## VIN passed ## Subaru Legacy 2012 ##”
NHTSA complaint #10824298, filed 2016-02, 42,000 miles“I was hit in the rear end of the car and hit the car in front of me, but the airbag did not deploy. I was at a complete stop during rush hour on a highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11021630, filed 2017-09, 92,000 miles“Hit head on driving our 2012 Subaru Legacy by a nissan maxima both traveling opposite directions at 40 miles per hour. All air bags in other vehicle were deployed while none deployed in the Subaru contributing to extensive impact injuries, seal/lap belt injuries and closed head trauma. This accident occurred on a city street, dry road conditions with no contributing factors except negligence on other drivers part.”
NHTSA complaint #10955070, filed 2017-02, 50,000 miles“The car was pulling out from a stop sign and traveling at 5 MPH when the driver side door was hit by another vehicle traveling 45-50 MPH with enough damage to be considered for total loss and the driver side airbag did not deploy. None of the airbags deployed. The passenger in the other car was taken to the hospital for evaluation and the driver of my car had a mild head injury from hitting her head on the driver door window.”
NHTSA complaint #10871954, filed 2016-06, 53,000 miles“Airbag light on. Open circuit found. Needs airbag main harness, body harness and left front sub sensor to correct concern. In motion when light came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11102177, filed 2018-06, 169,298 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
- 19V007000Jan 9, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2010–2014, Outback 2010–2014, WRX 2010–2014 +4 more
- 19V008000Jan 9, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2010–2014, Outback 2010–2014, WRX 2010–2014 +4 more
- 19V009000Jan 9, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2010–2014, Outback 2010–2014, WRX 2010–2014 +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
- 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
- 12V047000Feb 9, 2012Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 legacy and outback vehicles, manufactured from december 1, 2011, through december 23, 2011. These vehicles may be…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2012, Outback 2012
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).
- 10160205Apr 10, 2019SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed above, equipped with a non-desiccated…
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 2012 Subaru Legacy
34 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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