2004 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 28%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Subaru Outback, 28% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 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.
“I received a recall notice on passenger side airbag in july 2016..I was told I would be informed by mail when parts were available for repair by my local Subaru dealer. It's 14 months later and I have not received any further notice. I do not believe this has been handled in a timely manner and still cannot have passengers in front seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11030656, filed 2017-09, 184,000 miles“I cannot determine if my vehicle is on the tikata airbag recall list. The dealer says it isn't. The NHTSA site says it is, the VIN shows it isn't specifically. My question is if the 2004 outbacks are included in the recall or if the NHTSA info is wrong....please advise.....updated 10/02/15 updated 12/28/15”
NHTSA complaint #10743586, filed 2015-07, 115,000 miles“Takata recall: I was notified in july 2016. I have not received any notification from Subaru or the dealer that the part has become available. I have called both Subaru and the dealer. I have waited three months, that is too long .”
NHTSA complaint #10925244, filed 2016-11, 260,000 miles“My 2004 Subaru Outback comes equipped with front side airbags. With only 900 miles on my car, I was t-boned by a ford explorer under full acceleration. We were struck on the drivers side with enough impact to cause my wife, in the passenger seat, to hit her head on the passenger side door post causing a concussion. Subaru claims that the side airbags performed correctly by not deploying. Total damage to date including drive train replacement parts is $9000. It is my understanding that the NHTSA has not tested the side impact bags on the Subaru models. …”
NHTSA complaint #10049126, filed 2003-12, 900 miles“Takata recall received a letter telling me the air bags are going to be replaced, do not let passengers use the seat , no date for replacement, no parts in stock, does this absolve the company of any liability? Cant take any trips with more than 2 passengers that would have to sit in the rear seats? What options are left for me to use my vehicle for taking my family anywhere???”
NHTSA complaint #10904380, filed 2016-09Related 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 2004 Subaru Outback
20 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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