Red airbag indicator in instrument cluster begun coming on/off once or twice a week then became constant. Observed passenger airbag indicator had no lights on(no illumination at all) searched forums and found multiple similar cases with no resolve from the dealership. As a mechanic myself I began my own diagnosis, cause: removed overhead control panel and performed electrical testing on passenger airbag circuit. Found open circuits between component contacts. Correction: retinned contacts and added solder. Haven't had an airbag light since the repair.. I have heard the dealer wants 300+$ to repair. This is such a common and serious issue that it should be considered for a recall... I have seen and performed far more trivial recalls. That said; if you take your car to a decent subaru or independent shop they should be able to diagnose this and fix it for alot less than the dealer
2008 Subaru Legacy: airbag warning light
17 of the 65 complaints about the 2008 Subaru Legacy describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 89,000
- recalls
- 4
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
Airbag warning light on the dashboard comes on intermittently , but now stays on the majority of the time. Took car to dealer for passenger airbag recall and they told me the airbag light on the dash is fault code 26. Many other subaru owners reporting this exact same issue, which is related to faulty soldering of components in the overhead map light console. As this is a critical safety issue (passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident), subaru should issue a recall to repair or replace the faulty component(s). Beware- serious safety issue. Also feel that the takata inflators is related to theis issuse. I have had this airbag issue since I owened the subaru complained to the dealership but I would have to pay for the fix when I no that there is fault in the way the components were welded.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Suburban subaru (14 hartford turnpike, vernon, ct) diagnosed that an air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided case number: 1-27240483127. The failure mileage was 110,099.
Airbag warning light on the dashboard comes on intermittently , but now stays on the majority of the time. Took car to dealer for passenger airbag recall and they told me the airbag light on the dash is fault code 26. Many other subaru owners reporting this exact same issue, which is related to faulty soldering of components in the overhead map light console. As this is a critical safety issue (passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident), subaru should issue a recall to repair or replace the faulty component(s). Beware- serious safety issue.
Airbag warning light on the dashboard comes on intermittently when starting the vehicle (fault code 26 - passenger air bag indicator failure) many other subaru owners reporting this exact same issue, which is related to faulty soldering of components in the overhead map light console. As this is a critical safety issue (passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident), subaru should issue a recall to repair or replace the faulty component(s).
Air bag dashboard light lights up intermittently when starting and driving. Problem has been occurring since 2013. Subaru dealer said problem is faulty soldering in the overhead console that controls airbag operation. Many internet complaints about this subaru problem. Airbags won't work when dash airbag light is on. Subaru won't take responsibility for this safety issue. Charges $300+ to replace defective console.
I brought my car to the local repair shop when my airbag light on the dashboard was coming on intermittently. Unfortunately I had to take the car to the dealership for them to diagnose the problem. When I called bertera subaru I made the first appointment they had available, which was two weeks from when I was calling. I dropped my car off on my scheduled appointment on july 10th at 10:30 am. Bertera informed me that my car should be ready for the end of the day. At 4:00 pm bertera called to tell me that they were unable to take a look at my car and would not get to it for the rest of the day. Disappointed with the customer service, and still wondering what was wrong with my air bag I had to make another appointment for monday july 13th. On monday bertera informed me that my car was "cleared of all recalls" yet my airbag sensor needed to be replaced for $384 and if I didn't replace it I will still have to pay $120 for the diagnosis and that it is a safety hazard to continue driving because if I got in an accident the airbags would not deploy. I instantly looked online where I saw hundreds of complaints from subaru owners with airbag problems. When I received the copy of my service the airbag light error was code 26. There was power and ground on input side, but the indicator "internally shorted". Since the airbag does not work when the light isn't working properly this is extremely dangerous. I urge the federal safety agency to let all potentially affected owners know about it. Please consider this complaint to further investigate subaru and add this to the existing problem of takata defective inflater and propellant devices airbag recalls. This "internal shortcut" is also contributing to the defect in airbag deployment. Thank you for your time, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).?
On june 17 airbag light went on at startup and stayed on until I arrived at work. When leaving after 9hrs the light was off at startup. Since then the light comes on at least twice a week and stays on for two or three days then goes off. I am extremely concerned about their deployment in the event of an accident. I do plan on taking the vehicle to the dealer .
Airbag light on. Code read on/off switch above rear view mirror defective. With airbag light on the airbags are disable. This is a known issue and the vehicle needs to be recalled to fix problem.
My airbag light had been turning on intermittently as is described by many 2008 subaru legacy and outback owners about a year prior to my accident. On october 15th, 2014, I lost consciousness while driving and went off the road and struck two trees. My vehicle was totaled with a cracked frame and it took two tow trucks and a winch to pull my car off of the trees. In this accident my airbags did not deploy and I suffered a fractured vertebra, a traumatic brain injury, knee injuries, and shoulder injuries. This is beyond wrong and subaru know there are defective parts in these legacy's and outback's as is outlined by all of the complaints out there online and with the federal safety agency. I will not stop pursuing this until subaru is held accountable ethically, as well as financially for the problems I have suffered as a result of their defective product.
Airbag light keeps coming on and off. I took it to the dealership in january and spent over $100 to have them tell me nothing was wrong. Now it keeps coming on and off all the time as of july 2014 until now. This is a common problem and is something that should be covered because it is a safety requirement by law likes seatbelt.
Red airbag light in dashboard goes off intermittently, regardless of whether or not there is a occupant in the passenger front seat. According to the subaru dealership service (glendale, ca), passenger airbag censor in the passenger seat is most likely the culprit, and passenger side air bag may not go off during a collision. Others subaru owners have reported similar issue on legacygt.com, forums.nasioc.com, subaruoutback.org, and subaruforester.org.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- Air bags
- Takata Front Passenger Airbag Module / Inflator “Like for Like” Recall
- Air bags
- Takata Like for Like recalls- TKA20 (Zone A), TKB20 (Zone B), TKC20 (Zone C).
- Recall Bulletin Revised
- We announced late last month that the WQR-53 takata front passenger air bag inflator recall has been...
- Expanded Takata Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Recall
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- 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 module
- 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 module
- 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 module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V‑399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V‑763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed the federal safety agency of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Recall number 15V323000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Subaru Legacy airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
17 of 65 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Legacy (26%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2009.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
There are 4 recalls and 22 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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