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 Outback airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Subaru Outback have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 54,000 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
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Outback | 29 |
| 2010 Outback | 42 |
| 2011 Outback | 65 |
| 2012 Outback | 36 |
| 2013 Outback (this page) | 40 |
| 2014 Outback | 36 |
| 2015 Outback | 8 |
| 2016 Outback | 9 |
| 2017 Outback | 15 |
9crashes
1fire
10injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 40 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 40 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.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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 failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main problem categories: Takata inflator defects and occupant detection system failures.
Takata inflator issues dominate the complaints. Owners describe passenger-side and driver-side airbags that fail to deploy during collisions—head-on impacts, side-impact crashes, barrier strikes—while front-end damage is severe. Others report spontaneous deployment without any accident (one while pulling into a driveway, another while pulling into a parking space). One owner's vehicle accelerated uncontrollably in the driveway, hit the garage and brick wall; the airbags deployed but the crash caused extensive damage and injuries.
Occupant detection system failures prevent passenger airbags from enabling even when an adult is seated. One owner at 40,000 miles reports the passenger airbag stuck in OFF mode, while the seatbelt warning chime blares continuously regardless of whether the seat is occupied or the belt is buckled. Dealership repair: $1,200 for a new ODS unit.
Recall implementation remains a barrier. Multiple owners cite 3- to 6-month waits for recall appointments after receiving notices warning not to use the front passenger seat. Dealers consistently report parts unavailable. One owner 138 miles from the nearest dealer faced a demand to pay $1,700 in advance for transport and rental car before Subaru would arrange the recall repair. Another owner received a recall notice in March 2019 and was offered the first appointment in June or July—three months out—with repair instructions stating "do not allow passengers in the front seat" until fixed.
Warning lamps and sensor codes (B1650) appear a year or more after the Takata recall repair, requiring expensive passenger seat replacement ($1,840) not covered under extended warranty.
Same Subaru Outback airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Takata inflator non-deployment or defective deployment
Passenger-side or driver-side airbags fail to deploy during crashes, or deploy spontaneously without impact. Narratives describe multiple crash scenarios where airbags should have deployed but did not, as well as spontaneous deployments during normal driving.
When: During crashes at various speeds; spontaneous deployment during low-speed driving or while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy in collisions; Airbags deploy without impact or accident; Side curtain airbags fail to deploy; Driver-side airbag deploys when passenger door opened
Codes mentioned: B1650
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger seat or airbag inflator; Takata recall parts replacement. Repair costs cited: $1,200+ for ODS/sensor replacement; $1,840 for seat bottom replacement after prior Takata repair. Insurance typically does not cover non-accident deployments.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 19V008000, 19V009000, 20V001000; Takata recall TKA-18, TXB18. Subaru recalls cited but parts unavailability widespread (3–6 month wait times reported). Subaru offered $1,000 good-will gesture for B1650 code failure post-recall repair.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunction
Passenger-side ODS fails to detect adult occupants or falsely detects passengers when seat is empty. Results in passenger airbag remaining disabled even when occupied, and continuous seatbelt warning chime/light regardless of actual occupancy or belt status.
When: At 40,000 miles; intermittent or persistent after initial occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag will not enable despite adult occupant; Passenger airbag stuck in OFF mode; Seatbelt warning light and chime continuously on; Warning persists even when seatbelt is buckled; ODS detects passenger when seat is empty
Repairs/costs cited: New ODS unit installation and calibration required. Dealership estimate: $1,200 plus tax and fees. Not covered under manufacturer extended warranty or extended service contracts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall found for this specific VIN, though recalls exist for similar 2013 Subarus with same issue. Subaru denies coverage.
Airbag warning lamp illumination (electrical/sensor fault)
Airbag light illuminates on dashboard, indicating potential system malfunction. Dealer diagnostics show passenger seat-related codes requiring seat replacement.
When: At 15,500 miles; approximately one year after Takata recall repair in another case
Symptoms owners cite: Red airbag warning light on dashboard; System does not function properly per dealer; Vehicle flagged as unsafe to drive by manufacturer
Codes mentioned: B1650
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger seat replacement required. Cost: $1,840 plus tax. Subaru offered $1,000 good-will reimbursement in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V009000 mentioned but Subaru stated vehicle is unsafe to drive and requires repair. Advised no driving until fixed.
Takata recall parts unavailability and repair delays
Widespread parts shortages prevent timely completion of mandated Takata airbag recalls despite safety warnings. Dealerships unable to schedule appointments within reasonable timeframes; some unable to confirm when parts will arrive.
When: 2018–2020 recall period; delays of 3–6 months reported from recall notice to appointment availability
Symptoms owners cite: No parts available at dealer for recall repair; Appointment scheduling delays exceeding 3–6 months; Recall notice advises not to use passenger seat pending repair, making vehicle impractical; Manufacturer cannot confirm parts availability timeline
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair delayed indefinitely. Loaner vehicles sometimes available (may require credit card on file). Owners report being unable to use front passenger seats for months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 19V008000, 19V009000, 20V001000. Subaru acknowledges parts distribution disconnect; unable to provide remedy within reasonable timeframe. One complainant reported Subaru refused to arrange transport or pay for recall repair, demanding owner pay ~$1,700 in advance for transportation 138 miles to nearest dealer.
Spontaneous unwanted acceleration during low-speed driving or while parked
Vehicle accelerates forcefully without driver input while stopped or driving slowly. Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or ineffective. Occurs in driveway and parking scenarios.
When: While parked in driveway with brake depressed; while pulling into parking space; while slowing to turn
Symptoms owners cite: Engine roars audibly with foot on brake; Car throttles forcefully despite brake input; Brake pedal does not respond; Vehicle accelerates at high speed into obstacles; Airbags fail to deploy during resulting crashes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled in both reported incidents. One complainant mentioned event data recorder and EyeSight data recorder containing diagnostic information but Subaru did not retrieve it.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented in narratives. Complainants reference class action lawsuits in New Jersey and California for unanticipated acceleration.
Airbag deployment failure during vehicle collisions
Airbags fail to deploy in side-impact and front-impact crashes where deployment should occur. Affects driver-side, passenger-side, and side-curtain airbags.
When: During various impact scenarios: head-on collisions, side impacts, moderate to severe crashes
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during crashes; Vehicle front end severely damaged but no deployment; Side-impact crash with no airbag response; Occupants suffer injuries without airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs noted; occupants sustained injuries including cervical strain, PTSD-like symptoms, and lingering pain. One occupant hospitalized. One vehicle declared total loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narratives.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
In motion driving straight down county route 80 on a good weather day slowed down going to turn into a shop and takata airbag deployed. Was loud bang and horn would not stop going off. Pulled off road in front of a art gallery, called aaa they towed car to a garage called "don's auto barn" in new woodstock, ny. Drivers hand hurt but not to the point of seeing md. He is a md so he cared for it…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Subaru Outback?
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 Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 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 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,000 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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/Outback.
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.