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severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Of the 28 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Of the 13 model years of Subaru Legacy we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
All 2 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004- 2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain Subaru vehicles listed, equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger side frontal airbag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (certain specific vehicles only).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model year Baja vehicles, 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, 2004-2011 model year Impreza vehicles, and 2004- 2014 WRX (including STI) vehicles equipped with a non-desiccated Takata-sourced passenger-side frontal air bag containing the propellant Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator âLike for Likeâ Recall
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The airbag warning light is the dominant complaint: it illuminates intermittently or stays on constantly, sometimes cycling on and off multiple times per drive. Owners report this starting anywhere from 18,000 to 100,000 miles, but clustering around 40,000–80,000. The light often behaves independently of actual occupancy or accident events; the passenger-side light frequently activates whether someone is sitting there or not.
Owners searched online forums and found dozens of similar reports across 2005–2009 Subaru Legacies, suggesting a pattern rather than random failure. When taken to dealerships, owners receive generic diagnostic codes—dealers cannot pinpoint the root cause. Estimates for repair run $1,900–$2,100 to replace the entire seat (airbags are sewn in) or $500 for a sensor. Some owners note the light behaves worse in extreme temperatures (below 32°F or above 80°F).
Two separate crash reports document airbag non-deployment: one at 50 mph with injuries, another at highway speed with $9,000+ damage. Neither vehicle was examined by Subaru to determine why the bags failed.
Parallel to these warning-light complaints, owners also filed NHTSA recalls (campaigns 16V358000 and 17V026000) but experienced months-long delays waiting for parts to arrive at dealerships, leaving them unable to have the recall work done or forced to drive without front-seat passengers.
Same Subaru Legacy airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
The airbag warning light on the instrument cluster illuminates intermittently or remains continuously lit without a clear safety event. Light may turn off when vehicle is shut down and restarted, or persist regardless of ignition cycles. Multiple owners report this across 2005–2009 Subaru Legacies, with patterns suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated module failures.
When: Between 18,000 and 100,000 miles; most commonly reported in the 40,000–80,000 mile range. Some owners note temperature correlation (below 32°F or above 80°F exacerbates the condition).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates without accident or deployment event; Light turns on and off intermittently, sometimes multiple times per drive; Light remains on continuously despite vehicle restart; Passenger airbag light activates regardless of seat occupancy status; Light behavior unrelated to actual airbag or crash events
Codes mentioned: Generic code produced (owner reports dealer unable to specify), Error codes found during dealer diagnostics (specific codes not detailed in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite dealership estimates of $1,900–$2,100 to replace seat (airbags are sewn into seat assembly). Some dealers estimate $500 for sensor replacement alone. Diagnosis fee typically $100 at dealerships. One owner reported airbag module replacement covered under extended warranty (good through 75,000 miles), but diagnostics, labor, and deductible were not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealerships have told owners the repair is not covered under standard warranty and must be paid out-of-pocket. One owner was informed a passenger-side airbag sensor had already been replaced under a prior recall by an unknown dealer. Some dealers refused to examine vehicles post-accident. NHTSA recalls 16V358000 and 17V026000 referenced; one owner reported recall parts were unavailable for nine weeks, another stated no contact from Subaru after recall notice, and one dealer attempted to charge for recall work.
Two owners reported airbags failed to deploy when involved in moderate-to-severe frontal collisions. One crash at 50 mph resulted in injury to multiple occupants; another at highway speeds caused $9,000+ in front-end damage. Neither owner could confirm whether prior warning-light issues existed, but both vehicles were total losses or destroyed. Subaru declined investigation in at least one case.
When: Reported at 18,000 miles (one incident) and unspecified mileage (second incident).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal collision; Seatbelt also failed to restrain occupant properly (one report); No visible airbag damage or prior deployment history
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicles were not examined or were destroyed/totaled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru declined to investigate one incident, stating it was not their issue. No recall or warranty claim documented for these failures.
Multiple owners received NHTSA recall notifications but were unable to schedule repairs because required parts were not in stock or were on extended backorder. Owners were instructed not to carry front-seat passengers pending the recall, causing significant inconvenience over months.
When: Delays reported starting mid-2016 and continuing into 2017. One owner experienced four-month wait period under recall restriction.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall parts unavailable at dealerships; Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts distribution; Owners placed under passenger restrictions pending recall
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V358000, NHTSA Campaign 17V026000
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer stated parts would not be available for nine weeks. No owner reported completion of these recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recalls 16V358000 and 17V026000 issued. Subaru did not respond with timely parts availability or proactive communication in cases documented.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Takata airbags-- incident not mv related-- beaurucratic issue. I have received no help getting my airbags replaced. Tried several dealers. Their lies do not match up. Getting the run around. Very upset. Unacceptable service or lack there of, really.
Received NHTSA recall no. 16v-358 back in june 2016. Have not been contacted by Subaru since to replace the airbag and it says not to have a passenger in the front seat, which is difficult for over 4 months.
My airbag warning light has periodically gone off & on over the last 2 years. I currently have less than 45,000 miles on it. Of course the day I had an appointment with Subaru, the light would not appear. Hoping airbag will work if ever in an accident. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Subaru legacy. While driving approximately 50 MPH the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy. The seat belt also failed to hold her firmly. A police report was filed. The contact as well as the passenger of another vehicle were reported injured. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an insurance lot. The vehicle was not examined for the cause…
Takata recall -- Subaru will not tell me if my car has a takata airbag, but only that I am not currently on the recall list.
I got an airbag recall in the mail, international Subaru in orland park wants to charge me for this recall.
Airbag dashboard cluster light started being intermittent and now on all the time. Does it mean the sensor is bad or the airbag. Since the car mat be part of the takata recall. I am not sure what the issue is
Starting in fall of 2014 the passenger airbag light would go on & off intermittently; during the following winter the light rarely came on. Once warm weather hit in may of 2015 the light continually stays on. There seems to be no correlation to the passenger seat being occupied or not occupied. In light of the recent airbag recall for earlier Subaru models, Subaru may want to check into their…
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.