2003 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 20%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,610miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Subaru Outback, 20% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,610 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 8 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.
“My 2003 Subaru Outback had a bad airbag inflator and has also blown the head gasket several times, requiring it to be rebuilt three times. While I love my Outback, I wonder if I will want to buy another one. Being stranded by my car and having to take the bus in the winter time was very difficult as was hauling groceries on the bus in a rolling suitcase while awaiting repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #11032558, filed 2017-10, 131,000 miles“Takata recall: the passenger side air bag needs to be replaced. Subaru have told me that they do not have the parts needed for this recall. My wife and I are over seventy and I need to use this vehicle with her in the passenger seat. If replacement is currently impossible, Subaru needs to provide me with a loaner.”
NHTSA complaint #10898770, filed 2016-08, 140,000 miles“Takata recall this may pertain to the takata air bag recall. My wife and I were in a t-bone type collision at ~45 MPH and the driver and passenger airbags failed to deploy in our 2003 Outback. When I check the VIN I did not see any open recalls nor did I ever receive any recall notifications for the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10823291, filed 2016-01, 160,000 miles“On or about oct 23, 2017, received 3rd notice of airbag recall. Appt with Subaru missoula, mt for recall. At 9:45 on fri nov 3, 2017 informed that the manager just a few minutes ago received, recall of recall and no parts there. My 2003 may not need a replacement. Said would do a check to see. Under protest I signed, after 1 and half hours, requested another signature which also under protest I signed. It won't cost you anything. 85 year old single woman. 50 miles nearest Subaru dealer. Nothing said about result of test. Keys returned to me.”
NHTSA complaint #11044260, filed 2017-11, 74,221 miles“Takata recall. The closest Subaru dealership is 125 miles away. When I called Subaru we were told that the car must be repaired at a Subaru dealership. This constitutes a hardship for us to have a manufacturer defect repaired for a number of reasons. 1) I am handicapped and have trouble sitting in a car for that long. 2) there is 3 feet of snow on the ground 3) this is our only mode of transport.”
NHTSA complaint #11056102, filed 2017-12Related 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 Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 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 Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 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 Outback 2003–2014, Legacy 2003–2014, WRX 2004–2014 +4 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 Outback 2003–2004, 2009–2011, Impreza 2006–2011, Tribeca 2006–2011 +4 more
- 16V359000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja…Covers: Subaru Outback 2003–2004, Baja 2003–2006, Impreza 2006–2008 +3 more
- 16V361000May 25, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been…Covers: Subaru Outback 2003–2004, Legacy 2003–2004, Baja 2003–2004
- 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 Outback 2003–2008, Legacy 2003–2008, Baja 2003–2004 +2 more
- 14V763000Dec 1, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered…Covers: Subaru Outback 2003–2005, Legacy 2003–2005, Baja 2003–2005
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).
- 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 | 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 2003 Subaru Outback
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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