1998 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 9%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 9% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The front airbags on my 1998 Subaru Outback sport went out at 76,000 miles without ever deploying or any other indicators. The light on the dash was the only sign that the bags were no longer working. The dealer said two modules went out. The one in the steering wheel will be over $300 to replace and the one in the floor over $700. I can't believe that safety features don't have a lifetime warranty. I will never be able to afford to have them fixed!”
NHTSA complaint #10146907, filed 2006-01, 70,000 miles“When driving at low speeds, the vehicle surged forward. This caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hit a light pole head on. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the insurance company's designated repair facility. This was quickly followed by 2-3 more accelerations in which the vehicle gained speed each time. The vehicle felt as if it were being shifted into the next gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10074014, filed 2004-06, 40,691 miles“My child care provider was involved in a single car accident. She was driving approximately 40 MPH in wet/rainy conditions when she lost control of the car and hit a tree. This impact caused the car to spin and hit a second tree. The car was totaled and sustained damage to the front end, the passenger door and the driver side door. The most damage was to the front end and the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy and she was knocked unconscious sustaining a severe head injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10158447, filed 2006-05, 120,000 miles“Driver lost control of vehicle. Vehicle struck stationary object at aprox. 15 MPH. Airbag failed to deploy. Significant front end and undercarriage damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10102728, filed 2004-12, 43,000 miles“Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the air bag light comes on and the air bag could be inoperative in the event of a vehicle accident. Dealer notified. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8021291, filed 2002-10Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 | 16 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 | 14 | 3% |
| 2014 | 38 | 18% |
| 2013 | 42 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 13% |
| 2011 | 73 | 11% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 30 | 28% |
| 2008 | 104 | 46% |
| 2007 | 47 | 36% |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% |
| 2005 | 38 | 14% |
| 2004 | 25 | 28% |
| 2003 | 19 | 20% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 7 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Outback
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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