2008 Subaru Impreza airbags problems

37 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 500. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 37
of this car's complaints: 21%
typical mileage: 500
crashes: 6
recalls: 8

Which part fails

Frontal
13
Frontal: sensor/control module
2
Side/window
1
On-off switch assembly
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Subaru Impreza airbags problems in other years

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Recall number 20V001000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

Recall number 20V002000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

Recall number 20V003000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 11, 2017 · 69,529 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.

Recall number 17V026000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 10, 2017 · 53,480 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Recall number 17V014000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 10, 2017 · 62,764 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-17.

Recall number 17V016000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 25, 2016 · 302,127 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑856‑488‑8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.

Recall number 16V358000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 25, 2016 · 146,010 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑856‑488‑8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V‑358 for Zone A.

Recall number 16V359000 · Recall details

What 2008 Subaru Impreza owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Subaru is unable to repair my vehicle for almost a month, I use my vehicle for work and this recall is potentially deadly.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Airbags · 157,155 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

Takata recall- I was driving in the slow (right side) of the freeway going about 68 MPH (between 65-70), there was a small amount of traffic. There was an extra lane (temporary 3 lane for entrance, but normal 2 lane freeway) to my right and I began merging (or possibly swerved from looking over shoulder...and a bee flew into me while I was driving also causing me to swerve a bit). I ended up in the fast (left) lane that was going slower due to an unknown reason...which caused me to slam on the breaks, but I rear ended the car in front of me at an angle (my driver side front to their passenger side back) because I swerved back into the luckily empty spot next to me, but it wasn't fast enough to not hit the car in front of me. I didn't see my exact speed when I hit the car but I was going over the documented (on previous page) speed that the airbag should have deployed with the amount of impact our cars struck...this vehicle was going less than 20 MPH and I was going somewhere between 50-60 MPH and the impact was all on the front driver side so from what I've been reading that the airbag should have gone off....especially since I had the recall fixed/serviced in december 2018, where I had to bring the car back to the dealership about an hour later because some "hosing" wasn't correctly reinstalled. So I'm curious if anything else wasn't installed correctly that caused the airbag not to go off. I had just taken full coverage off my insurance to save money three days prior to the accident because I am in the moving process-now with no coverage to my damage (which my insurance quoted around 2900$ had I had full coverage still), as well as medical insurance for myself and I spent about 8 hours in the er. Which also won't be covered. I am not 100% certain of how the accident occurred because I wasn't sure why traffic was slowed so suddenly; the airbags should have gone off?

Filed Oct 30, 2017 · Airbags · UT

Takatata airbag recall I received a letter stating the tk holdings inc. Was filing a chapter 11 and doing an airbag recall that may affect my car. I looked it up on airbagrecall.com and was then directed to this website. There is no exterior damage to the car nor was it damaged at all while driving. This is all to check if I need my airbags replaced.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · VA

Takata airbag. Took the vehicle to the subaru of richmond located at 9177 west broad street 23294, where tried to get the airbag replaced. The airbag sensor was flashing and they said they wouldn't replace the airbag with the sensor blinking, saying that the airbag sensor and the airbag recall had no correlation. They then proceeded to try and charge $1700 for the sensor to get fixed.

Filed Sep 11, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 subaru impreza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags). 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 dealer was not contacted. 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.

Filed Sep 7, 2017 · Airbags · UT

Takata recall

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Airbags · NY

Takata recall. I received a notice months ago that my vehicle is affected by the airbag recall. The notice states that currently, parts are unavailable and that subaru is in the process of acquiring parts necessary to perform the repair. I am still waiting to see when parts will be available. Any idea when this is going to happen?

Filed Dec 10, 2016 · Airbags · MO

I was notified by subaru in june or july of 2016 that the passenger side airbag in my vehicle may have a defective takata inflators. I was instructed to not have anyone ride in the passenger seat until it is replaced. I have contacted my dealer (where I purchased the car) several times (in person and over the phone) and been told there are no replacement parts available from takata and no time-line for reveiving them. This is my 25 year old daughter's only transportation. She has been driving this potentially life-endangering car since she was 17 years old. ?this is ridiculous!!! How long will we need to wait to correct this flagrantly negligent act on the part of takata and the auto industry? There has been no offer from subaru or takata to compensate us or provide another vehicle. I was told that because my daughter was not yet 25 at the time of the recall that they would not even offer a rental vehicle. This is ridiculous and takata should be held more accountable.

Filed Dec 2, 2016 · Airbags · IL

Takata recall. Subaru issued notice in july that the vehicle was not safe and would be repaired, but now has not followed up. I called the number listed on their website and with the federal safety agency today to follow up (during their listed business hours). The message states they are closed and disconnects my call. They have not taken measures to repair the vehicle and will not answer my call.

Filed Nov 3, 2016 · Airbags · HI

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 subaru impreza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacture 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.

Questions about the 2008 Subaru Impreza airbags

Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Subaru Impreza, 21% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Subaru Impreza airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Subaru Impreza airbags?

Yes, 8 recalls: 20V001000, 20V002000, 20V003000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Subaru Impreza have bad airbags?

The Subaru Impreza model years with the most airbags complaints are 2012 (105 complaints), 2013 (79 complaints) and 2014 (39 complaints).