THE DASHBOARD 'AIRBAG MALFUNCTION' LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SWITCHES TO 'OFF' WHILE THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS UPON STARTING THE CAR AND CONTINUES UNTIL THE CAR ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. I AM AFRAID IF THERE IS A CRASH THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.
2013 subaru Impreza airbags problems
severe 65 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V419000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 65 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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