2012 Subaru Impreza: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Airbags · VA

Over the past three months, the front driver and passenger airbag lights have been on in my 2012 Subaru Impreza while driving. Documented videos attached were on 01/11/23, 01/20/23, and 04/04/23. It has happened at least 6 times and possibly more. I contacted Subaru after it happened and took it to the local Subaru dealer, who advised me to bring the car in when the airbag light was on, as at my 1/17/23 visit, they could not figure out the cause of the airbag light. On 4/4/23, while driving on the expressway, the airbag light came on, and as advised, I drove it straight to the local dealership. Code B1650 was pulled off the airbag system, which I am told could be 3 different reasons. On 4/10/23, I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy and said the local dealer's solutions were unacceptable and to wait and see. Again on 4/12/23, while my daughter was driving on the expressway with my son in the passenger seat, the airbag lights on again for both the passenger and driver. As I told Subaru on 4/10/23, this Subaru Impreza is unsafe to drive, and the airbags would not deploy in the case of an accident with both airbag lights on. This is a very dangerous situation that could end up with some very dire consequences. The ODS system was previously replaced under the federal safety agency #15V419000, but it appears that the recall part may also be defective. The passenger seat has not been altered or wet to cause malfunctions. It is a defect in the Subaru airbag system.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Airbags, Body · 147,000 miles · WV · crash · 1 injury

We were broadsided (t-boned) in an intersection with traffic lights. We were eastbound going 25mph & had just left home. Two blocks from my home as I proceeded through the green light and bam she hit my driver side. Recessing my front tire 3 or more inches in towards my engine. She was traveling southbound on the intersecting road. She must have been traveling 25 MPH or more because damage continued all the way down the driver side (both doors) finishing on my rear tire where it bent it inwards as if it was a steering tire making a turn. The rear tire has a large gash in the side wall. The following where my wife's injuries as she was driving: acute cervical myofascial strain, cervical strain, closed head injury, dysarthria, elbow contusion, headache, muscle tension headache, post concussion syndrome, and shoulder contusion. She received all these injuries because the side impact airbags did not deploy which has to be a major manufacturing flaw of some type. Please explain to me why this happened. The insurance adjuster has totaled my wife's car. It is a 2012 subaru impreza premium. I have included some documents/photos.

Filed Apr 21, 2016 · Airbags · 69,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 subaru impreza. While making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head injury and injuries to the left arm that required medical attention. After inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the air bag wiring was fractured. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 20,000 miles · WA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving at 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a metal power box and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Airbags · 52,000 miles · CT

When a passenger sits on passenger seat the air bag light does not go on indicating air bag engaged. I am fearful that if I did have a crash that the air bag would not deploy and passsenger get seriously injured or die.

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 70,000 miles · SD · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving on an icy road at approximately 30 MPH, the brakes were engaged and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle and the frontal air bags failed to deploy. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound yard and then to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 20,000 miles · CA

Driving down mountain after day of skiing. Roads were treacherous and icy. 20 minutes into the drive, driver and passenger airbag lights turned on, indicating that airbags would not deploy in the case of a collision. Several months later I was wearing a damp bathing suit while driving and the same situation occurred, indicating that the airbags would not deploy in the event of a collision. On another occasion, I was driving on a hot day with the windows down. I was sweating quite a bit and the airbag light on my subaru impreza turned on yet again. This issue was brought up with the dealership while the car was still under warranty. The dealer's service department simply reset the sensor, not solving the issue or comprehending the severity of this issue. The occupant detection sensor in the seat must have faulted and turned off the airbags when a small amount of snow/water/sweat on my rear caused a fault in the elecrostatic sensor. The occupant detection sensor is an electrostatic sensor that will fault when it senses an arbitrary amount of moisture. An internal memo in august 2012 from subaru to it's dealers in north america acknowledged, but not solved this problem with the airbags not engaging when the seat is wet. From subaru's internal memo: "when water or anything with high moisture content is spilled on the front passenger seat cushion, the airbag is designed to remain off until the seat cushion is dry".

Filed Oct 22, 2014 · Airbags · 58,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Airbags · 41,000 miles · VA

The dashboard "airbag malfunction" light turns on and the passenger airbag light switches to "off" while there is a passenger in the car. This probably means that if there was a collision, the passenger airbag would not deploy, with passenger in front seat. It was happening about 40% of the time that I had a passenger in the front seat. Took this to alexandria's beyer subaru and they were able to pull the code/reproduce problem. Apparently there is some sensor in the seat that causes this malfunction. They are replacing the sensor free of charge (covered under warranty). ..updated 01/20/15 *tr updated 08/28/2017

Filed May 28, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · 16,850 miles · MI · crash · fire

Followed too closely through a double intersection with a non-functioning light. Police officer directed traffic through the intersection but apparently we had to stop before the second intersection. Apparently I slowed down enough that the airbag did not deploy. I indicated 20 but surely my airbag would have deployed at that speed. Was able to drive the car under its own power off the road into a subway parking lot. As I was maneuvering into a parking spot the engine caught on fire. It seems strange to me that if I was going slow enough for the airbag not to deploy but for some components to catch on fire that the car is road worthy. Worth looking into?