2012 Subaru Outback air bags problems
39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2012 Subaru Outback — 13% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated…”
filed Mar 4, 2025
“Car was involved in a head on collision [XXX] with a concrete exit barrier after being pushed into the lane by a driver trying to in front of them trying to make a last second dash for the exit. Not sure if the driver was in blind spot, but the vehicle trying to merge did use turn signal or respond…”
filed Mar 16, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…Campaign 20V002000 · Jan 2, 2020
- Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators…Campaign 20V001000 · Jan 2, 2020
- Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…Campaign 20V003000 · Jan 2, 2020
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…Campaign 19V008000 · Jan 9, 2019
- Virgin IslandsCampaign 19V007000 · Jan 9, 2019
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…Campaign 19V009000 · Jan 9, 2019
Air Bags problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 7% |
| 2024 Outback | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 Outback | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 Outback | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 Outback | 16 | 5% |
| 2020 Outback | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 Outback | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 Outback | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 Outback | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 Outback | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 Outback | 14 | 3% |
| 2014 Outback | 38 | 18% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.