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Air bagsPart report

2024 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
6%of 106 total for the year
Median mileage
6,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2024 Subaru Outback, 6% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“There is a problem with the passenger airbag sensor on this model. I weigh under 100 pounds, and the sensor light does not turn on when I am seated in the passenger seat. My husband weighs 160 lbs, and the light goes on when he sits in the passenger seat. Subaru maintains that the sensor is working as designed, but this is clearly a safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11630166, filed 2024-12

“Driver and adult passenger were traveling at highway speed on the NJ Turnpike. The passenger noticed that the airbag light on the display showed Passenger Airbag OFF We stopped at the next rest area and found guidance online that the Occupant Detection System sometimes doesn't properly register the weight in the seat so shifting the seat could turn the airbag back on. We did this and the light did come back on. We continued our trip. Shortly after the same issue occurred again. We shifted the seat again and the light came on again. …”

NHTSA complaint #11744977, filed 2026-06

“Accident! Deer walked out in front of car resulting in front end collision then semi truck smashed into rear of vehicle car then spun around resulting in side impact. No air bag deployed in the vehicle. Vehicle was considered a total loss! Both individuals in the vehicle were transported to hospital and subsequently released. Vehicle was inspected by insurance adjuster and the Ohio highway patrol.”

NHTSA complaint #11749698, filed 2026-07

“This vehicle was purchased in April 2018. It was noticed that, when an adult passenger weighing between 100 and 105 lbs sits in the passenger seat, the occupant airbag system does not activate all the time. According to the manufacturer this is normal for the design of this protection system and this situation cannot be corrected.the problem has reoccurred several times.”

NHTSA complaint #11603043, filed 2024-07

“The contact owned a 2024 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated after the crash. The contact sustained a concussion and the driver of the other vehicle sustained a knee injury. The contact received medical attention via the hospital an hour after the incident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11566351, filed 2024-01, 6,000 miles

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 2024 Subaru Outback

Other or unknown
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
18 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Lane departure
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2024 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