This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru Impreza airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Subaru Impreza have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the airbags 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 →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Impreza | 91 |
| 2013 Impreza | 65 |
| 2014 Impreza | 35 |
| 2015 Impreza | 4 |
| 2016 Impreza (this page) | 8 |
| 2017 Impreza | 8 |
| 2019 Impreza | 4 |
| 2020 Impreza | 3 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 8 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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.
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 ↗Event Data Recorder (EDR) Function of Airbag Module
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The passenger seat sensor has been going off when nothing is in the seat. Because the sensor thinks something is in the seat the airbag for the passenger side is turned on. After going to the dealership, quirk Subaru, in bangor maine, they told me my cell phone was setting off the sensor. Their resolution to this problem, "don't bring your cell phone into the car." the car can be moving or…
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and while attempting to avoid a collision with a second vehicle, the contact lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained facial and dental injuries along with injuries to the…
The airbags turn off when it is raining or humid outside. Problems have been experienced when the car was stationary and when the car was in motion. Passenger airbag has turned off when there was a passenger in the seat; driver's side airbag has also turned off during raining/humid conditions. This has happened multiple times over the last few months.
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 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?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 30,270 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.
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/2016/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.