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 ↗2013 Subaru Impreza airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Subaru Impreza have filed 65 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 57,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Impreza | 12 |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 |
| 2011 Impreza | 16 |
| 2012 Impreza | 91 |
| 2013 Impreza (this page) | 65 |
| 2014 Impreza | 35 |
| 2015 Impreza | 4 |
| 2016 Impreza | 8 |
| 2017 Impreza | 8 |
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 65 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 65 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Subaru Impreza in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NOTE: The Airbag systems used on previous and current WRX, STI and Tribeca models are NOT equipped with EDR functionality. This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. The function of the EDR is best explained using the following statements found in the vehicle Owner?s Manual: ?This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in the understanding how a vehicle?s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Impreza airbag complaints center almost entirely on a defective occupant detection system (ODS) in the front passenger seat. Owners report the passenger airbag indicator light switching to OFF even when someone is sitting in the seat, often accompanied by a red SRS warning light on the dash. This happens intermittently but escalates with exposure to moisture—damp clothing, wet seats, humid weather, or condensation all trigger the malfunction. The airbag will sometimes deactivate while driving at highway speeds, leaving occupants unprotected. Conversely, owners report false positives where the airbag indicator shows ON with no passenger present, triggered by a cell phone on the seat, a purse, or even a box of tissues. A 2012 Impreza recall (NHTSA 15V419000) addressed this identical sensor problem, but 2013 models using the same ODS hardware were excluded from that recall. One owner documented side-airbag non-deployment during an actual collision. Dealers typically blame wet seats or moisture exposure, with one deflecting responsibility entirely. Repair costs cited range from $800 to $1,500 for complete seat replacement, since the sensor cannot be serviced alone. Owners consistently report being unable to find any manufacturer recall extension or warranty coverage for the 2013 model year despite using identical sensors to the recalled 2012 units.
Same Subaru Impreza airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger occupant detection system (ODS) — false OFF state with occupant present
The front passenger airbag occupancy sensor fails to recognize an adult passenger sitting in the seat, causing the airbag indicator to display OFF and the red SRS warning light to illuminate on the dashboard. This occurs whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, regardless of highway or city speeds.
When: Intermittent; triggers increase with humidity, wet or damp seat fabric, sweaty clothing, or moisture exposure; can occur after rain, swimming, exercise, or seat cleaning. Some owners report it happening on 70-90% of drives in humid climates or seasons.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator light switches to OFF when adult occupant is in seat; Red SRS/airbag warning light illuminates on instrument cluster; Dashboard displays 'passenger airbag OFF' despite occupied seat; Airbag deactivation occurs during motion without warning; Condition may clear after vehicle is shut off and restarted, but recurs
Codes mentioned: B1760, B1761
Repairs/costs cited: Complete passenger seat replacement cited by dealers; costs range $800–$1,500 including labor and diagnostic fees. No in-seat sensor service option documented. One owner under warranty paid $100 deductible only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2012 model year Impreza recalled under NHTSA Campaign 15V419000 for identical ODS defect. 2013 models, despite using the same sensor hardware, were not included in recall. Subaru has not extended recall or issued TSB to 2013 owners. Dealerships have directed customers to replace seats out-of-pocket.
Passenger occupant detection system (ODS) — false ON state with no occupant
The front passenger airbag occupancy sensor triggers a false ON condition, displaying an airbag-enabled status and sounding the seat-belt chime when no passenger is present. Can be activated by inanimate objects or devices on the seat.
When: Occurs sporadically, often when items are placed on the seat; one owner documented it triggered by a cell phone charging via USB port. Can occur while vehicle is parked or in motion.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator displays ON when seat is empty; Seat-belt reminder chime sounds without occupant; False activation triggered by cell phone on seat (especially if device charge >35%); Purse, backpack, or small objects on seat trigger sensor; Tissue box or light items can activate the sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Likely same as ODS false-OFF repair: full seat replacement at $800–$1,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2012 recall (15V419000) specifically mentions deactivation if a device is plugged into the power outlet. 2013 models exhibit identical behavior but remain unrecalled. No TSB or repair guidance issued for 2013.
Inconsistent SRS/airbag warning light behavior
The red SRS airbag system warning light illuminates and extinguishes erratically on the dashboard, often in conjunction with the passenger airbag OFF indicator switching unexpectedly. No consistent pattern correlates to driving conditions or vehicle state.
When: Intermittent; can occur at startup, during driving, or while parked with engine running. Some owners report it happening multiple times per drive; others see it days or weeks apart.
Symptoms owners cite: Red SRS/balloon-shaped warning light turns on unprovoked; Light may clear after engine restart; Light recurs during same drive session; No correlation to seat moisture or occupancy in some cases; Light may stay on for hours or days despite no visible defect
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic fee of $140–$154.95 charged by dealers; no repair attempt made without full seat replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or documented guidance. One dealership provided recording showing uncertainty about whether airbags would deploy in an accident.
Seat-belt pretensioner/occupancy sensor cross-talk malfunction
The occupancy sensor malfunctions cause the seat-belt reminder chime to sound inappropriately or fail to silence, sometimes independent of the airbag light behavior. One owner reported a tightening sensation at the neck from seat-belt pretensioning.
When: Associated with moisture exposure or sensor false-trigger events; one narrative suggests it may correlate to humidity and motion.
Symptoms owners cite: Seat-belt chime sounds continuously or repeatedly when seat is empty; Chime does not silence when buckled; Reported neck tightness from seat-belt tension (one complaint); Chime stops when non-occupant item is removed from seat
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair documented; likely requires full seat replacement if related to ODS defect.
Side-airbag non-deployment in collision
At least one owner reported a moderate-speed side-impact collision in which neither driver nor passenger side airbags deployed, confirmed by emergency responders on scene. Owner suffered contusions but no fractures.
When: Occurred during active collision at 60–65 mph impact speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbags failed to deploy in side-impact crash; No deployment on driver side despite frontal/side impact to driver door; Owner sustained contusion injuries from chest to hip
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; vehicle involved in accident and reported to Subaru. Subaru reportedly unhelpful in response.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reported the non-deployment to Subaru; no documented response or investigation result provided.
Synthesized from 65 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.
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.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,200 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,200; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/Impreza.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.