74 of the 3,816 complaints about the Subaru Outback (1.9%) concern Airbags & seat belts, making it the model's #7 problem area. That share is 0.5× the Airbags & seat belts share across all tracked vehicles.
74Complaints · Airbags & seat belts
1.9%Share of complaints
0.51×vs. all vehicles
14Last 12 months
20.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
14 Airbags & seat belts complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 27 in the 12 months before — down 48%.
15 of these reports (20.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 25 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 24V227000 (2024-03-22, model years 2020, 2021 and 2022).
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!
The driver lost control of the vehicle, possibly due to a failure involving the rear driver's-side tire. The vehicle initially made contact with the guardrail, causing moderate damage to the driver's side.
The back passenger seatbelt does not retract. It stays loose after use and there are safety concerns. I don't feel safe having any passengers in my car.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-07-21 · ODI 11751938
The seat belts in the backseat get un-aligned when you sit in the seat buckled up. when this happens the seat belt will not retract. This happens every time I sit in the backseat and I have to remember to refeed the belt into the guide.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-07-08 · ODI 11749039
This is a follow-up to NHTSA Complaint #11744977 regarding the Occupant Detection System on a 2024 Subaru Outback. The passenger airbag indicator showed "off" twice, on separate drives, with two different adult passengers seated normally during regular…
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-06-21 · ODI 11745452
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…
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-06-18 · ODI 11744977
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER Campaign 24V227000 · 2024-03-22 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
