2017 Subaru Legacy Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 119 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Subaru Legacy, 6% of the 119 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.
“I had an accident with my 2017 Subaru Legacy and initially saw a deer to my left and tried to steer slightly right. Next thing I know the cops are there and took me to hospital. They said the car went over an embankment. It had massive damage and after two months in shop, still pulls to the right. I never received a recall on this car but it was sending me messages through starlink saying there was a power steering problem. I will try to attach that screen shot. Also the dealer that sold us the car has been no help at all. The car was driving and in motion. No air bags deployed either.”
NHTSA complaint #11179976, filed 2019-02, 12,000 miles“The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH on a two-lane road, he attempted to overtake the driver in front and crashed head-on into a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The contact stated that the driver's front air bag failed to deploy however, both side curtain air bags deployed as needed. The contact stated that he suffered two fractures to his sternum along with other chest injuries. The contact stated that he was informed by the police officer that the other driver did not require medical attention. …”
NHTSA complaint #11454515, filed 2022-02, 20,000 miles“The OCS sensor is faulty and doesn’t detect a passanger and may cause the airbag not to deploy, this is common according to other Subaru owners. This is a common problem on many cars and those cars have been recalled”
NHTSA complaint #11659389, filed 2025-05“The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a second vehicle t-bone crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. During the crash, the driver side curtain air bag did not immediately deploy causing the drivers head to make contact with the interior of the driver side door. The air bag then deployed down onto the head of the driver causing the driver additional injuries and also causing the driver to becoming entrapped by the air bag. During the crash the driver sustained injuries to both sides of the head which required medical treatment. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406835, filed 2021-04, 40,000 miles“Had a frontal impact hitting a deer in center of front grill at 45-50 MPH. During impact steering wheel airbag deployed and all side impact airbags deployed. Passenger side did not deploy. Cannot get answer as to why...side impact airbags deployed?? Subaru dealer said they will only deploy when you have a roll over or side impact. Mechanic stated that none of the sensors were effected and none of the airbags should have deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11016509, filed 2017-08Related recalls
- 16V716000Oct 6, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2017, Outback 2017
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10237254May 8, 2023This bulletin announces availability of the one-time use mounting clip and spacer clip for the air bag curtain module.
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 2017 Subaru Legacy
35 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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