Problems · by component

2013 Subaru Impreza air bags problems

79 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Impreza cite air bags, 31% of all 251 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
79
31% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11701791
“The airbag indicator light on the driver’s dash is illuminated most times that I drive my car. The passenger airbag indicator shows that airbags are OFF, even when someone is seated in the passenger seat. This is a very serious safety concern. What if an accident occurred and the airbags don’t deploy? I’ve also read about a switch in the airbag assembly that could explode causing serious injury or death to the driver or passenger. The problem has not been confirmed or inspected but seems to be a problem with many Imprezas. It is the number 1 concern for 2013 Subaru Impreza owners.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2024Air bagsODI 11625402
“During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11539768
“When the front passenger seat is damp, the passenger airbag light shows it is off, and the dash lights display an error light on the dashboard. The concern is that the passenger is not protected while the airbag is not on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2023Air bagsODI 11524253
“Srs airbag light comes in dash when passenger is is car, airbags will not turn on for passenger side only. Research showed it is a common issue with 2012 and 2013 Subaru airbag systems and it is extremely concerning”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2023Air bagsODI 11501813
“Passenger side seat occupancy sensor failed to recognize the occupancy of the passenger seat. Sensor seams to have failed causing the airbag malfunction light to illuminate on the dash. After considerable research online this seems to be a consistent problem with these vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a recall for the same sensor in 2012 Subaru Imprezas but not for the 2013 Subaru Imprezas.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2022Air bagsODI 11460611

Showing 6 of 79 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2013 Impreza problem areas