Problems · by component

2010 Subaru Legacy air bags problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Subaru Legacy cite air bags, 19% of all 151 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 10 recalls on this component.

Complaints
28
19% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle was involved in a front-end collision in which the Airbag failed to deploy. The vehicle has been considered totaled by the insurance company. A police report is available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11699124
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. STATELINE SUBARU (1451 BRAYTON POINT RD, SOMERSET, MA 02725) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2019Air bagsODI 11174558
“THERE WAS A RECALL WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHEN ITS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. I HAVE NO HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, NO RADIO CONTROLS AND I DON,T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WORKS. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO REPAIR I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $200. PLUS JUST TO DIAGNOSE IT WHEN THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT IS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2018Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11113214
“I WEIGH 115 POUNDS. WHEN I SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE 2010 SUBARU LEGACY, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. WHEN SOMEONE HEAVIER SITS IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. I WORKED WITH MY SUBARU DEALER, WHO HAD NO REMEDY, SO THEY REFERRED ME TO SUBARU OF AMERICA (800-782-2783). I OPENED CASE 1-25522457944. THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO AVAILABLE REPAIR, AND THE PASSENGER MUST "SIT PROPERLY" IN THE SEAT. I AM SITTING PROPERLY. THIS WAS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE THEY KNEW ABOUT, AS THEY CORRECTED IN IN THE 2011 LEGACIES (WE OWN ONE OF THOSE, TOO). I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WHEN I SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN THE 2011 MODEL. SUBARU OF AMERICA CONFIRMED THAT IF THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT LIT, THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. SO A PERSON OVER 80 POUNDS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY IS NOT PROTECTED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A REMEDY, BUT PERHAPS SUBARU DOESN'T WANT TO GO THERE. I WANT THE VEHICLE ATTRIBUTES I PURCHASED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THEY SAY IT IS, BUT IF IT DOESN'T DEPLOY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS 115, HOW DID THEY DESIGN IT? IS THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP WITH? WE FIRST NOTED THIS PROBLEM IN…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017Air bagsODI 11014718
“TAKATA RECALL: NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF AIRBAG, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2017Air bagsODI 11013584
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V694000 (VISIBILITY/WIPER) AND 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2017Air bags, Visibility/wiperODI 10967260

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

10 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V007000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V009000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V008000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V012000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V013000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 10, 2017NHTSA 17V014000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported May 25, 2016NHTSA 16V358000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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

Other 2010 Legacy problem areas