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 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
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.
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.
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.