2005 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 14%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 14% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 6 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.
“Takata recall - I have children and my Subaru dealer is telling me I am not in a high priority group to have my airbag inflators replaced. I got a notice saying people should not ride in my passenger seat until it is fixed, but this is an impossible scenario for many people including myself and my family.”
NHTSA complaint #10836767, filed 2016-02, 108,000 miles“Nhtsa recall 15v-323. Subaru notified me of this recall. They suggested no one sit in the passenger seat until the problem is repaired. But they are out of parts and don't know when it can be fixed. In a front or passenger side impact, the passenger air bag could still inflate, without a passenger, thus placing the driver at risk. So what do I do? Stop driving the car until Subaru fixes the problem? What can NHTSA do to make Subaru fix the problem asap?”
NHTSA complaint #10836714, filed 2016-02, 125,000 miles“My passenger side tanaka airbag was replaced in april. Within six months of this recall, my passenger side airbag indicator's buzzer and light (error code 26) continue to indicate a passenger in the seat without a passenger present. I feel this is a safety issue because I have been told by my Subaru mechanic that the passenger airbag may or may not deploy . I have found various blogs and forums indicating that I am one of hundreds to thousands that have this issue. I feel as though this safety issue should not be fixed at the financial burden of the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10927911, filed 2016-11, 149,000 miles“Takata recall. Subaru recall campaign wqr53. Notice received with instruction not to allow front passenger. Contacted six (6) local dealerships to remedy defect. All six advise they cannot schedule appointment to remedy defect as they have no parts and don't know when parts will be available. One dealer advised Subaru of america is not cooperating with local dealer. Each dealer advised to check back (in a month or two months) to see if they have parts. Without use of front passenger seat my vehicle is rendered useless. No other options provided; I.e., a loner car or a rental vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10837254, filed 2016-02, 147,000 miles“In 2008 the airbags on our car deployed spontaneously while driving down the interstate. Before the airbags deployed the seatbelt lights in our car began dinging and flashing as if someone were in the passenger seat, which was empty, and then they deployed on my husband. After 3 or so months Subaru had the airbag components removed from the car and submitted to the manufacturer. Their investigation was inconclusive to what happened and they replaced the components with new ones assuming they had fixed the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10343117, filed 2010-07, 65,000 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 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
- 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
- 04V274000Jun 9, 2004The left and right side curtain air bags in certain vehicles involved in this campaign may not fully deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact…Covers: Subaru Outback 2005, Legacy 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).
- 10140516Apr 12, 2016Recall Bulletin Revised. UPDATE ? April 2016: New and different inflators are available for affected 2004-2005 Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles. As a result, there are different…
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 2005 Subaru Outback
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsWheels
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Subaru Outback
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