2006 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 14%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Subaru Outback, 14% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 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.
“2006 Subaru Outback head gaskets went bad at about 35,000 miles.had to replace those called Subaru and they help me get those replaced. Thought all was well soon after, the electrical system including the air conditioner and the heater .then I was told that the airbags were defaulted and to bring it into replace them which I did. The final straw is that they called me again two weeks ago to bring the rigging to replace that same airbag again. I asked them why they gave me a car that wasn't safe. The wheel bearings also wore out very early around 50 miles. This car has been so expensive. …”
NHTSA complaint #11404941, filed 2021-03, 160,000 miles“Was involved in a head on collision and my air bags did not deploy. I've read online after the accident others have experienced the same thing. I could of been killed if I was driving any faster.”
NHTSA complaint #10536273, filed 2013-08, 82,000 miles“Takata recall on 2/16/16, I received an airbag recall notice and warning not to allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat until the repair is performed. I contacted my dealer, carter Subaru seattle the next day and was told an airbag would be ordered for me and would arrive in a few weeks. I called the dealer again on 3/8/16 and was told they have not received any airbag replacements and do not know when they will. I need to use my car for transporting my family. This is a hardship for me to be indefinitely without the abillty to use my front passenger seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10845776, filed 2016-03, 96,825 miles“Traveling from my home to denver, co I noticed the 'air bag warning light' come on. This has occurred on several occasions. I called the auto nation Subaru dealer to try and get an appointment. The service rep said they were full for the day. He asked me what the issue was and I told him about the 'air bag warning light' coming on. Moreover, he said that the air bag would not function with the warning icon on. He then asked me if I may have placed my cell phone in the passenger seat? I told him that I had indeed placed my cell phone in the passenger seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10722797, filed 2015-06, 125,010 miles“While traveling thru the adirondack region of ny on a sunday afternoon returning home from vt I proceeded to pass a vehicle from the center lane into the left lane. Speed was 65mph accelerating to 69mph to pass, not more than 250 ft later our vehicle started to fishtail then head right into numerous 360 spins taking out 35 ft or so of guard rail and crunching and damaging almost every side and corner of our Outback. Both hands were on the wheel, I did not hit any snow or ice that I am aware of and I was not speeding excessively. Not one of our airbags deployed either!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10682387, filed 2015-02, 142,000 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
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 2006 Subaru Outback
98 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsSuspension
37 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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