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Air bagsPart report

2012 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems

Complaints
39about this part
Share
13%of 294 total for the year
Median mileage
60,200miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Subaru Outback, 13% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,200 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 9 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: letter of recall arrived 18 march 2017. Called Subaru of kennesaw and first response was no parts and no info on possible time to receive and no alternative. Second call response was more specific as to no alternative and possible two months for parts. Much of my vehicle use involves passengers and I need some relief.”

NHTSA complaint #10967274, filed 2017-03, 100,000 miles

“Cold rainy morning, I started the car for the first time with no one in the passenger seat. The airbag light came on and stayed on, the passenger seatbelt light is on and car is dinging like someone in the passenger seat is not wearing a seat belt. Does not turn off when seat belt is clipped. I take it to the dealership and they say it's a bad electrostatic capacitance sensor ods. The 'part' aka replacing the whole seat is $900. Same year of Subaru that they recalled this part in the impreza. Nhtsa recall no. : 15v-419”

NHTSA complaint #11056208, filed 2017-12, 130,000 miles

“Traffic stopped abruptly and my car (Subaru Outback) came to a stop. I was rear-ended by a semi (speed unknown but did significant damage to my vehicle) that pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle in front of me was then pushed into another vehicle. The vehicle directly in front of me (ford free star)had its air bag deploy. My air bag did not deploy and my head ended up hitting the steering wheel. I was diagnosed with a concussion. I am wondering if my air bag should have deployed in this type of situation?”

NHTSA complaint #10701357, filed 2015-03, 34,000 miles

“My Subaru was hit head on driver's side by another car going 35-40 MPH. My Subaru's airbags did not deploy. Extensive damage in 13k range to frame and left front of car. I had extensive damage to right hand and shoulder in attempt to brace myself. Other car's airbags deployed. Other driver fled scene. Other car's insured, called car in, as stolen to police. Other party's insurance is denying coverage for accident to me, as driver/insured lied to police. Bodily injury of 50k requiring surgery and on-going pt..... Updated 08/05/14 updated 08/19/2014 ..updated 02-10-15 updated 10/2/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10606808, filed 2014-06, 23,050 miles

“Passenger airbag not working light came on. Took it to dealer where I purchased the vehicle, was informed that although 2012 Subaru outbacks had been recalled in texas, they were not recalled in oklahoma due to lesser humidity conditions. Paid nearly $500 to have wires which had come unplugged under console plugged back together. This took around 7 hours to get accomplished. At least 1/2 of this time was shown as diagnostic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11016184, filed 2017-08, 52,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202556%
202466%
202322%
202261%
2021165%
2020182%
2019131%
201881%
2017162%
2016102%
2015143%
20143818%
20134214%
20123913%
20117311%
20104412%
20093028%
200810446%
20074736%
20064014%
20053814%
20042528%
20031920%
200254%
200132%
200052%
199976%
1998119%
199723%
1996817%

Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Outback

Transmission and drivetrain
108 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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