Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Of the 13 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 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.
Airbags accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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 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 ↗This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2013 Legacy airbag complaints break down into warning light cycles, deployment failures, and recall service delays.
Owners report the airbag warning light coming on repeatedly—sometimes after the dealer recalibrates the system or replaces components like the seat frame and detection module. One owner documented the light cycling on and off through five dealer visits starting at 10,611 miles, with techs identifying shorts in the seat frame, detection module, and seat buckle harness connections. Another reported the light at 12,000 miles with an airbag sensor that needed replacement but parts were on backorder.
Three separate owners describe airbag non-deployment during actual collisions: one in a T-bone side impact with extensive driver-door and left-front damage, one in a head-on collision resulting in owner injury, and two in frontal crashes (snowbank impact and guard-rail collision). None of these resulted in documented deployment.
Several owners received Takata recall notices (NHTSA 19V008000 and 19V009000) restricting passenger-seat use until repair. However, dealers across multiple states reported parts unavailable or backorder status, with service appointments quoted 4–5 months out. Subaru was contacted but could not confirm parts arrival timelines, leaving owners unable to use their vehicles for extended periods.
Same Subaru Legacy airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Airbag light illuminates repeatedly, sometimes after dealer recalibration or part replacement. Owners report the light cycling on and off or staying on despite multiple repair attempts.
When: Early in ownership (10,611 to 12,052 miles reported in one case); one case at 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light comes on; Light returns shortly after dealer recalibration; Light returns after seat frame replacement; Light returns after detection module service; Light cycles on and off intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed recalibration, replaced right seat frame, replaced detection module, corrected right front seat buckle connection to wire harness. Parts were on backorder in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle was unsafe; Subaru contacted regarding root cause but no resolution documented
Driver-side airbags failed to deploy during a side-impact T-bone collision with documented significant damage to driver door and left front end.
When: Collision occurred; vehicle details indicate early ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbags did not deploy on driver-side impact; T-bone collision from perpendicular direction at estimated 28+ mph impact speed; Extensive damage to driver door, left front wing, bent left wheel into engine, cracked windshield
Front airbags failed to deploy in three separate frontal crash events despite significant front-end damage that met deployment thresholds.
When: Collision events on 03/18/2017 (head-on); timing of other two events not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in head-on collision with another vehicle; Airbags did not deploy in collision with snowbank with significant front-end damage; Airbags did not deploy in front-end collision with guard rail on highway
Multiple owners received Takata airbag recall notices (NHTSA campaigns 19V008000 and 19V009000) but could not schedule timely repairs due to parts unavailability or dealer backlogs extending months into the future.
When: Recall notices received; one owner called in late March for August appointment; no specific failure in these cases
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received stating passengers should not ride in passenger seat; Dealerships unable to provide reasonable repair timeframes; Parts listed as unavailable or on backorder; Dealer schedules extending 4–5 months out
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers contacted: AutoNation Subaru Arapahoe (CO), Heuberger Subaru (CO), Carr Subaru (OR), Romano Subaru (NY); parts distribution listed as disconnected; one owner unable to use vehicle pending repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall NHTSA 19V008000 and 19V009000; manufacturer contacted but unable to confirm parts availability timelines; recall notice restricted passenger-seat use pending repair
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
On 01/17/14, the air bag light came on and car was taken to Subaru dealer. Dealer verified condition and performed re-calibration of the air bag system. This cleared the air bag. On 01/21/14, the air bag light came on and the car had 10611 miles. Car was taken to dealer and tech verified and stated there was a short in the right seat frame. Seat frame was ordered and replaced. Issues…
Car accident that totaled car on highway with front end collision with guard rail and airbags did not deploy. Accident due to rainy weather.
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Based on the 13 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 36,305 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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 — 1 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.