FaultScore

2004 Subaru Legacy airbag problems

26 of the 55 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Legacy are about the airbag system — 47% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 129,000 miles.

F

26

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 26 100.0%

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 254,600 miles Buffalo, NY

AIR BAGS

I KEEP RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL LETTERS ABOUT THE AIRBAG IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPPED SINCE JULY 2017. I COULD NO LONGER GET IT TO PASS EMISSIONS. I HAVE SINCE THEN CALLED THE NUMBER ON THE LETTERS SEVERAL TIMES TO REMOVE ME FROM THE NOTICE LIST BUT I KEEP RECEIVING THEM. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT EVERY RECALL NOTICE HAS A DIFFERENT PHONE NUMBER ON IT AND IT APPEARS CALLS ARE GOING TO A DIFFERENT CALL CENTER EVERY TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THE US DOT AND NHTSA IS BEING RIPPED OFF BY WHOMEVER IS CONTRACTED TO SEND OUT THESE LETTERS. EVERY OPERATOR AT THE CALL CENTERS STATES THEY WILL UPDATE THEIR FILE AND REMOVE ME FROM THE LIST, BUT LIKE CLOCKWORK I STILL RECEIVE THE NOTICES.

NHTSA complaint #11350730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V000000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU LOCATED AT 7982 BIG BEND BLVD, WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119 PHONE NUMBER: 314-968-5167) WHO WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN AND IF THEY WOULD BE RECEIVING THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR THE REMEDY. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11299550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS;THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING ON &OFF &NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME , THE BAG WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON JAN. 19 2017 @ NORTHPARK SUBARU HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TX.,HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT THE BAG WAS INDEED REPLACED & WHY DID THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AFTER THE BAG WAS REPLACED A SHORT TIME AFTERWARDS , NOT ALL THE TIME , BUT EVERY NOW & THEN & NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME ? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE & HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT THE RECALL WAS INDEED PREFORMED ? WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR ,TO ME IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD'NT BEEN TOUCHED ,TO BE HONEST , BUT I DID'NT QUESTION IT @ THE TIME , AM I WRONG TO THINK THAT ? ANY WAY I WAS NOT TOLD WHICH BAGS WERE REPLACED , DRIVER SIDE OR PASS SIDE OR BOTH , I DON'T KNOW , CAN YOU HELP ???

NHTSA complaint #11245600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frederick, MD

AIR BAGS

TAKATA - PSAN INFLATOR, NEVER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #11042130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomfield, NJ

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LIBERTY SUBARU (201-261-0900, LOCATED AT 55 KINDERKAMACK RD, EMERSON, NJ 07630) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS PLACED NUMBER 12 ON THE WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11012299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11000012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Hood River, OR

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR'S BEEN LISTED SINCE LAST JUNE. NO CONTACT WHATSOEVER FROM SUBARU EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD TO EXPECT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. LUCKILY NO INCIDENT SO FAR, BUT THE FIELDS IN THIS COMPLAINT FORM REQUIRE DATES, ETC. SO I'LL USE TODAY'S DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10969924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Hood River, OR

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR HAS BEEN LISTED FOR THE RECALL SINCE JUNE 2016, BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONCE CONTACTED BY SUBARU TO COME IN FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NO INCIDENT, FORTUNATELY, BUT THE FIELD BELOW REQUIRES A DATE, SO I'LL ENTER TODAY'S.

NHTSA complaint #10969922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Floyd, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10957405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10956036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bordentown, NJ

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10949815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10947551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles West Chester, PA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL DATE OF JUNE 10, 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO INFORMATION OR CONTACT BY SUBARU SINCE THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND HAVE NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THEY WILL. PLEASE REQUEST SUBARU EXPEDITE THE RECALL PROCESS.

NHTSA complaint #10940232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montoursville, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 01/18/17.

NHTSA complaint #10926740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laconia, NH

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART FOR AN UNREASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS MAY BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ UPDATED 01/31/17.

NHTSA complaint #10926105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, PW

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10924668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evanston, WY

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10919074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Lisbon, WI

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10914265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stamford, CT

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER PLACED THE CONTACT ON A WAITING LIST IN LATE JULY BUT DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/10/17*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10909608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arvada, CO

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL SAYING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS IN MY SUBARU. THE NOTICE SAID NOT TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN MY CAR IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT ALSO SAID THAT REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WOULD BE INSTALLED AT NO COST AND THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE NEW AIRBAGS ARE AVAILABLE. MY COMPLAINT: IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL WEEKS. I CANNOT DRIVE WITH ANYONE IN MY FRONT SEAT AND I AM GETTING TIRED OF WAITING TO FIND OUT WHEN THE NEW BAGS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I'VE HEARD NOTHING ELSE! THE REPLACEMENTS NEED TO BE INSTALLED VERY SOON! I WENT TO THIS WEBSITE (HTTPS://VINRCL.SAFERCAR.GOV/VIN/VINLOOKUP) TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THERE WAS THE FOLLOWING NOTICE: IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER, PLEASE CONTACT THE NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT: 1-888-327-4236 OR TTY: 1-800-424-9153 OR FILE AN ONLINE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #10908618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pacific Grove, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10899838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 240,000 miles Lynn, MA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10898977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Derry, NH

AIR BAGS

SUBARU HAS INDICATED I SHOULD NOT LET PERSONS RIDE IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BUT HAS NOT OFFERED A DATE WHEN THEY WILL BE WILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WAS PLANNING TO SELL THE CAR BUT CANNOT DO IT UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10896883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,798 miles Zanesville, OH

AIR BAGS

CAR JUMPED TIME HAD TO REDO HEADS AND TIMEING BELT WHOLE KIT, CHECK ENGINE LITE AND AIR BAG LITE HAS BEEN ON SENCE

NHTSA complaint #10863298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Daltona, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER PASSED OUT AND CROSSED OVER TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A PULMONARY CONCUSSION AND ELEVATED TROPONIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10714047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Shady Spring, WV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH DURING A SNOW STORM, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING, ROLLED OVER, AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

NHTSA complaint #10251036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

← Full 2004 Subaru Legacy report