FaultScore

1995 Subaru Legacy airbag problems

50 of the 230 complaints about the 1995 Subaru Legacy are about the airbag system — 22% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 196,577 miles.

F

50

Complaints

26

Crashes

0

Fires

23

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 40 80.0%
AIR Bags 9 18.0%
Side/Window 1 2.0%

Airbags across every Subaru Legacy year

1993 10 2.7%
1995 50 13.7%
1996 25 6.8%
1997 10 2.7%
1998 11 3.0%
1999 11 3.0%
2003 16 4.4%
2004 26 7.1%
2005 22 6.0%
2006 13 3.6%
2007 12 3.3%
2008 25 6.8%
2009 31 8.5%
2010 29 7.9%
2011 25 6.8%
2012 11 3.0%
2013 14 3.8%
2014 14 3.8%
2015 10 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 218,877 miles White Salmon, WA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

10/162017 - I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET TO MEET MY WIFE FOR DINNER AFTER PARKING MY CAR. AS I WATCHED HER PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF ME IN THE LEGACY I SAW THE WINDSHIELD GET BLOWN OUT BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING DEPLOYED. SHE WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET TO CLEAR TO PULL IN AND WAS NOT MOVING VERY FAST AT ALL, APPROX 5 MPH. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM FLYING GLASS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY OUR MECHANIC SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE AIRBAG RECALL # 96V315000 PERFORMED ON 12/11/1998 APPARENTLY WAS NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY AND HE SUSPECTED THAT THE POORLY REMOVED TOW-HOOK WAS NOT CUT OFF SHORT ENOUGH (NOT TO THE RECALL SPEC) TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL INFLATION OF THE AIRBAG. I BELIEVE THAT THE REMAINING STUB OF THE TOW-HOOK MAY HAVE IMPACTED THE DRIVEWAY AS SHE PULLED IN DEPLOYING THE AIRBAG, WE CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY BASICALLY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES FROM OUR MECHANIC AND EMAIL CORRESPONDENCES FROM SUBARU.

NHTSA complaint #11045189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 174,278 miles Pierce, CO Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FROZE AND WAS RESISTANT TO ENGAGEMENT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,278.

NHTSA complaint #10398037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denver, CO

AIR BAGS

THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE PERMISSION TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REMOVED OR DISCONNECTED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10021993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norris, TN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #10012123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

White Plains, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN CONSUMER DROVE OVER A POT AND BOTH OF THE VEHICLES FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FRONT END DAMAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8022882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gouldsboro, PA 2 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH CONSUMER CROSSED OVER A RAILROAD TRACK THAT WAS A NORMAL ROUTE, AND BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO PLACE OF BUSINESS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #897534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, CA

AIR BAGS

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WX0-72; EARLIER DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DUE TO WHEEL/TOW HOOK APPARATUS.. WHEN HITTING A PEBBLE AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY ON POINT OF CONTACT. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS AGAINST REMOVING OF THE TOW HOOK AS A SOLUTION TO AIR BAG PROBLEM. TOWING WITH OUT THE TOW HOOK WOULD DAMAGE THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #880896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staratford, CO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN. SHE PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BUT PASSENGER'S AIRBAG BROKE WINDSHIELD. GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #869180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westminster, MD Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TO RIGHT SIDE IN JANUARY 2000. AIRBAGS DID NOT EMPLOY. ON MAY 12, 2000 WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUTE #32 IN THE TOWN OF WESTMINSTER, MD., THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LAWRENCE SUBARU IN HANOVER PA WAS NOTIFIED AND SUBARU SENT AN EMPLOYEE TO HANOVER TO INSPECT THE CAR. AT NO TIME DID SUBARU STATE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE #98V315000. NO NOTIFICATION OF RECALL WAS EVER RECEIVED PREVIOUS TO DEPLOYMENT. ON THE DAY OF THE INSPECTION, SUBARU DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND POINTED TO THE PREVIOUS RIGHT SIDE DAMAGE AND DAMAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE BAGS DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE CAR HIT SOMETHING. THERE IS NOT NOW AND WAS NOT AT THE TIME, ANY EVIDENCE OF FRONT IMPACT DAMAGE. SUBARU CUST REL. RICK POZNIAK, JUDY YORK, PETER BORTNER, AND DAN DALTON NEVER STATED IN ANY CONVERSATIONS THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. THEY NEVER ADVISED TO REMOVE THE TOW HOOKS, WHICH WERE ON THE VEHICLE, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WE FOUND THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET, AND IT WAS ONLY THEN THEY ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY ADMITTED IT TOOK FRONT END DAMAGE AND/OR TOW HOOKS HITTING AN OBJECT TO DEPLOY, BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS OR ADMIT TO LIABILITY. THEY HAVE FOUGHT US FROM DAY ONE, WITHHELD INFORMATION, AND WERE TOTALLY UNCOOPERATIVE. WHEN ASKED SPECIFICALLY IF THIS WAS A PROBEM WITH OTHER SUBARUS, THEY SAID NO UNTIL CONFRONTED WITH THE RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET. THEY HANDLING OF THIS MATTER BORDERS ON FRAUD, AND PROBABLY WOULD BE CONSIDERED SUCH UNDER MARYLAND LAW.

NHTSA complaint #724953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hagerstown, MD

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAGS EXPERIENCED FALSE DEPLOYMENT, ACCIDENT WAS LESS THAN 5 MPH WITH NO DAMAGE TO EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLES, THE DEPLOYMENT SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. YH

NHTSA complaint #552536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pelham, MA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

MY CAR WAS STOPPED,SECOND IN LINE, AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP OF I-91 IN NORTHAMPTON ,MA (VERY SLIGHT DOWNHILL GRADE). THE FIRST CAR BEGAN TO PULL OUT. I REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE, DID NOT PLACE FOOT ON GAS AND EASED OUT CLUTCH TO CAUSE CAR TO CREEP FORWARD. I LOOKED LEFT, SAW TRAFFIC COMING FAST AND REFLEXIVELY HIT BRAKE HARD. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SMASHING WINDSHIELD. I WAS NOT HIT BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS FULLY BACK (I'M 6'1") AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THROW ME FORWARD. FIRST CAR WAS 3' IN FRONT OF MINE. DRIVER CONFIRMED I DID NOT HIT HER. MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE TROOPER, ROBERT PLANT, RESPONDED. HE ASKED FIRST CAR DRIVER IF SHE HAD BEEN HIT (RESPONSE "NO"), THEN LEFT SCENE WITHOUT FILING ACCIDENT REPORT (THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, ONLY A BREAKDOWN). I REPORTED INCIDENT TO SUBARU. THEY INSPECTED CAR, CLAIM SCRATCHES ON BUMPER (PRE-EXISTING) INDICATE IMPACT OCCURED AND THAT AIRBAGS RESPONDED CORRECTLY. THERE WAS DEFINITELY NO IMPACT, NOT EVEN CONTACT!!!

NHTSA complaint #723774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunrise, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT, AND CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BURNING CONSUMER'S RIGHT ARM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #862884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN

AIR BAGS

RECALL REPAIR (98V-315) IN RELATION TO THE TOW HOOKS BEING REMOVED STATES THAT DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AT A LATER TIME IF VEHICLE IS TOWED, HOWEVER DOES NOT STATE VEHICLE WILL BE COVERED UNDER RECALL REPAIR IF DAMAGES OCCUR. MJS

NHTSA complaint #548360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Burlington, VT

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A YIELD SIGN DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, SUBARU NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #855044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sante FE, NM

AIR BAGS

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURB, DIP, SPEEDBUMP ANF OTHER ROAD HAZARDS. CONSUMERS FEEL REMOVAL OF THE TOW HOOK IS AN UNACCEPTABLE REPAIR FOR POSSIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT RECALL (98V-315). NLM

NHTSA complaint #548631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolder, CO 1 injured

AIR BAGS

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE MAKE. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. RECALL 98V135000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #846705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Golden, CO 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING OVER A DIP AT LOW SPEED, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS SMASHED AND THE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO VIOLENT/FALSE DEPLOYMENT WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #0 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Danbury, CT

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

EA97010, OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: WHILE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION, DRIVING 5 MPH, DRIVER RAN OVER A CURB AND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVERS' DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #836798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eagle River, AK

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ON A DIRT ROAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #825316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Fork, CA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS RESULTED IN BURN INJURIES TO DRIVER'S HAND.

NHTSA complaint #521615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Keene, NH Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE IMPACT, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #821576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poughkeepsie, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING APRROX 35 MPH RAN OVER A POTHOLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER RECEIVED FEW SCRETCHES. WEARING SEATBELT, NO DAMAGE TO CAR.

NHTSA complaint #814438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pattersonville, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN WHIPLASH.

NHTSA complaint #518431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waverly, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE CONSUMER TURNING LEFT ON A CURVE WAS ABRUPTLY HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR KNEE INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #813481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broken Arrow, NE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

IN ACCIDENT AT 12:00 POSITION, 25MPH, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #811850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garmania, WV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT AT 10:00/11:00 POSITION, LAP/SHOULDER BELT BUCKLE FAILED. ALSO, NO DEPLOYMENT OF DUAL AIR BAGS.

NHTSA complaint #805847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Luis Obis PO, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, 10MPH, DRAINAGE DITCH, VERY SHADOW, DUAL AIRBAGS, PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS, NO IMPACT INVOLVED

NHTSA complaint #810544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Billings, MT

AIR BAGS

SPONTANEOUS FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG.

NHTSA complaint #512191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, CT Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

OWNER STATES THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN WHICH SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. OWNER THINKS THAT THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH HER AIRBAGS.SHE HAS DUAL AIRBAGS.

NHTSA complaint #810174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sioux Falls, SD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WIFE WENT TO PARK VEHICLE IN GARAGE, VEHICLE BUMPED CONCRETE WALL SLIGHTLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT 3MPH UNEXPECTEDLY, DRIVER'S WAS HIT IN FACE AND SUFFERED MINOR DISCOMFORT. DEALER SAID IT WAS SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #808338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1995 Subaru Legacy problems

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