36 of the
3,451 complaints filed about the Subaru Impreza
are about the seat belts —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
My front passenger seat belt has been stuck and unusable since November 2025. This issue has been reported to Brandon Tomes Subaru in McKinney TX at the end of November. The seat belt was inspected and was determined faulty and covered under the warranty. The part needed to fix it wasn't unavailable and the dealership said it would be shipped. Today is April 6th of 2026 and my car has not been repaired still. It is not safe to transport passengers and I have 3 children. My oldest [XXX] ) always uses the front passenger seat. I am unable to safely drive the car and transport my family, and it very negatively affecting my family. Please help me to get my car back on the road and safely. With appreciation, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11729535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to secure the front driver’s side seat belt, the locking mechanism failed to immediately lock. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the seat belt locked as needed. The driver was also unable to immediately unlock the seat belt buckle from the locking mechanism. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11677019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The problem: like over 50% of adult Americans, I am female. I am 5' 3.5" tall (average for N. America, folks!) and weigh 109 lbs. I am also 66 years old and it's likely that despite my very active lifestyle (I'm a backpacker etc.), my bones are more brittle than a 25-y.o. man's. Your agency has failed in its duty to ensure the safety of ALL Americans. not just men and fat women. In order to reach the accelerator and see over the dashboard, i.e. in order to drive these vehicles which have passed your safety requirements, I sit in the death zone of the driver airbags and steering wheel column in all three vehicles I own: this 2009 Impreza, my 2000 Outback station wagon, and my 2012 Ford F350 Winnebago RV. Please don't tell me that I should buy one of the very few vehicles that might fit me better. I live on a mountainside in Alaska and need winter traction and handling. Why should my vehicle choices be narrowed because you have failed to recognizew that I exist? As a retired federal scientist and policy wonk with a law degree, I am appalled at your agency's callousness towards me and other average height drivers. How long will it take my government, staffed by people whose salaries I pay, to recognize that the male body is not the default for all humans? I am letting my Senator, Lisa Murkowshi, know that it's well past time for the NHTSA to protect me as well as it protects my husband.
NHTSA complaint #11420322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LEASED FROM BIZZAROS THE CAR WAS INSPECTED WITH A BROKEN SEAT BELT THERE'S RECALLS THE CAR KEEPS EATING BEARINGS AND HUBS THE CAR IS SIMPLY NOT SAFE AND BIZZAROS TOLD ME NOTHINGNESS IS WRONG WITH IT THE POWER TRAIN BRAKES AND ROTORS AND TIRES WERE FILLED TO 69PSI WHEN GOT IT
NHTSA complaint #11219722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS INVOLVE TO CAR ACCIDENT, I WAS A PASSENGER THE SEAT BELT WAS ON ME AND, PRAPORLY LUCKED TO THE SEAT. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOEY. HE DIDNT GET ANY DAMEGE TO HIS BODY. AND MY IARBAG DID NOT DEPLOEY CAUSE OF THAT I HAVE SPINE FRACTURE LAMBAR L3-L2. IT HAPPEND IN 08/23/2018.
NHTSA complaint #11172414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO SPECIFIC ISSUES. 1) THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE, ACCORDING TO THE INDICATOR LIGHT, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. 2) THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGERS SIDE THAT RINGS A BELL IF THE PASSENGER IS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT WILL GO OFF WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT - DANGEROUSLY DISTRACTING FOR THE DRIVER. THE START DATE BELOW IS THE DATE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, AS THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #11150167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FOR REVERSE LOCK (UNABLE TO PULL OUT) FOR THE SECOND TIME. NO OTHER BELTS ARE AFFECTED. PARKED THE CAR UNHOOKED THE BELT. UPON RETURNING THE BELT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. WHICH OF COURSE REQUIRES THE PASSENGER TO NOT BE RESTRAINED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I ASSUMED THE BELT WAS WORN OUT, OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I REPLACED IT MYSELF. THE REPLACEMENT LASTED ABOUT TWO YEARS. NOW I HAVE TO BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM SOMEWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #11128327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY MOTHER HAS AN ISSUE WITH HER AIRBAG LIGHT IN HER SUBURA IMPREZA CAR OFF AND ON FIRST TIME LAST YEAR AND SHE BROUGHT INTO SUBARU AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF THEY TOLD HER NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO BRING IN RIGHT AWAY THEN SHE WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK AND THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN SHE CALLED SUBARU AMERICA HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THEY TOLD HER IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SHE AND SENT HER IN THE SUBARU DEALER IN BLOOMFIELD NJ TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF CHECKING THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT WHEN MY MOM ASKED THE LADY IF SHE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WOULD HER AIRBAGS DEPLOY THE LADY RESPONDED WITH SHE IS NOT SURE IT DEPENDS SO THEY RELEASED HER CAR WITHOUT BEING 100% SURE ALSO, I'VE HEARD MY MOTHER COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SEATBELT TIGHTENS UP AROUND HER NECK WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING CERTAIN THINGS IN THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND I FEAR FOR MY MOMS' SAFETY AND MY OWNS WHEN I RIDE IN THIS CAR NOW BECAUSE ON THE UNCLARITY IF THE AIRBAGS ARE GONG WORK OR NOT MY MOM'S PHONE AUTOMATICALLY RECORDS SO I HAVE ATTACHED THE CONVO SO YOU CAN HEAR THE EMPLOYEES UNCERTAINTY THE CAR WAS SOLD TO MY MOM PRE-OWNED AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE CAR CAME WITH ISSUES BECAUSE THE CARS HISTORY WAS NOT PROVIDED TO HER, SOME OF THE ISSUES THE CAR HAS CAN BE FROM WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAR BEFORE MY MOM OWNED IT BECAUSE MY MOM DOES NOT DRIVE MUCH SO THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE HAVING GLITCHES AND MALFUNCTIONS THEY CLAIM THAT THE GLITCH IN THE CAR CAME FROM A WATER SPILL ON THE SEAT NOBODY SPILLED WATER IN THE CAR SINCE MY MOM OWNED IT SO THAT IS A MYSTERY AS WELL ONLY TWO PEOPLE RIDE IN THAT CAR SHE'S THE DRIVER AND IM THE PASSENGER NEEDED YOU CAN DOWNLOAD RECORDING AT THIS LINK HTTPS://VOCAROO.COM/I/S0ZEN2X5 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11115404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT GRABS FREQUENTLY, HITTING MY WIFE IN HER NECK OR NEAR IT. SUBARU DEALER SAID IT IS OKAY. OCCURS WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR OR GO AROUND CORNERS. USUALLY, MY OWN BELT IS NOT GRABBING AT THESE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11064378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WILL SWITCH OFF WITH AN ADULT SEATED OR SWITCH IT ON WHEN NO ONE IS PRESENT. AT THE SAME TIME THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL TURN ON. WE HAVE FOUND THAT STOPPING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE CORRECT THIS ISSUE. ON THE 2012 SUBARU THERE WAS A PROBLEM JUST LIKE THIS THAT WAS RECALLED. SUBARU CAN'T FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THESE PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AGAIN. NO ONE AT SUBARU CAN STATE THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING WHILE THIS HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10979676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN MY WIFE SITS ON A 3 INCH FOAM CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SIT MORE COMFORTABLY (SHE IS 4'11' AND HAS HIP PROBLEMS); THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ONLY GOES INTO ON MODE INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPEN WHEN ENTERING THE CAR AND CONTINUES WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT, IF NOT NOTICE BE THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER. CORRECTIVE ACTION BELIEVE IT OR NOT INVOLVE.S BOUNCING UP AND DOWN ON THE SEAT. A SIDE EFFECT SEEMS TO BE, THAT WHEN THE SIGN IS IN OFF POSITION, THE SEAT BELTS LOCKUP AND CONSTRICT THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #10839197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SEAT BELTS LOCK OFTEN AND WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL THEY ARE FULLY RETRACTED AND PUT BACK ON. THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WILL BE FIRMLY SECURED TO THE SEAT WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT HAS CAUSED US MANY TIMES TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CORRECT THE BELT. THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE DRIVER CANNOT MOVE TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ETC. THE DEALER CALLS THIS NORMAL OPERATION AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. ALSO, THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10824680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PASSENGER AIR-BAG ON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FASTEN SEATBELT WARNING SOUND WAS SOUNDED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, THE MOST RECENT AT 21,793 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10648631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT BECOME ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, THE SENSOR BEHAVES NORMALLY. INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES SINCE, WITH NO APPARENT PATTERN RELATED TO VEHICLE SPEED/DRIVING CONDITIONS. SUBARU DEALERSHIP SERVICE HAS CLAIMED IT MAY BE RELATED TO PASSENGER WEIGHT OR SHIFTING IN THE SEAT, OR CELLULAR PHONE CHARGERS NEARBY. INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED WITH OR WITHOUT SAID CHARGERS PRESENT IN THE CAR, WITH PASSENGERS WEIGHING 130 LBS AND 190 LBS. ALSO, THE RELEVANT SENSOR (OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM, OR ODS) IN THE 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA IS NOT BASED ON WEIGHT AT ALL, BUT ON ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE. SEEMINGLY RANDOM MALFUNCTION OF THE ODS RESULTING IN DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WITH AN ADULT SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CONSTITUTES DANGEROUS FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10559081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AIRBAGS IN THIS VEHICLE TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD ICONS INDICATE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF). VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED AND RESTARTED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO TURN BACK ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE A RELATIONSHIP TO ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE - PASSENGER USE OF IPHONE OR IPAD MAY BE INVOLVED - BUT IT HAS HAPPENED WITH NO PASSENGER AS WELL. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH ALTITUDE (PIKES PEAK, CO). PROBABLY RELATED: THE SEAT BELT ALARM HAS GONE OFF WHEN IPHONE IS PLACED ON EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10481308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE INTERSTATE. THE HIT WAS FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK CAUSING THE DRIVER HEAD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10473221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A PASSENGER, AIRBAG LIGHT SWITCHES TO OFF AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATES. PASSENGER CAN THEN UNBUCKLE SEAT BELT AND NO ALARMS SOUND ALERTING THAT THE SEATBELT IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY BLAMED IT ON A PAIR OF JUMPER CABLES UNDER THE SEAT. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME IT COULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER IN THEIR SYSTEM, WHICH IS BS. IF ITS NOT BS THEN I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH A PASSENGER. EVEN AFTER JUMPER CABLES WERE REMOVED THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. HAVE SEEN MANY ISSUES ON FORUMS WITH SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10468157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.