To start, I had to replace the engine in my 2024 Legacy that I purchased brand new in June 2024. Subaru of America handled the situation incredibly poorly, I was unable to use any warranty and I was out over 6,000 dollars. Second, my passenger airbag light has been on since September 2024. I was told to replace the sensor the whole seat rail would need replaced and would be over 1000 dollars. Apparently not covered under warranty either. Lastly, god forbid you have to drive West when the sun is going down. MULTIPLE times my vehicle has popped the “obstacle detected” while I’m traveling 75 down the interstate and spikes the brakes automatically causing a massive hazard. This is my third Subaru, but it will certainly be my last. Customer service was horrible and issues are not resolved properly.
Subaru Legacy airbag light comes on
69 of the 3,184 owner complaints about the Subaru Legacy describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 69
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 71,000
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 3Won't start 1Windshield crack 1Transmission failure 1Seat belt 1Engine failure 1Ball joint 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0766 1
What owners say
I purchased my 2025 Legacy from Brunswick Subaru (Brunswick,OH) on 9/22/25. A few days later, while riding in the passenger seat, the airbag light/icon stayed off. I am a petite female, weighing 100 pounds. I immediately called Brunswick Subaru's service department. The service manager drove me around, and he saw that what I was reporting was true. He said he would order sensors to fix the problem. I was told that the airbags should deploy at 35 pounds from my salesperson and 80 pounds from the service director. The sensors arrived in December, and I made an appointment on 12/30/25 to have them installed. I waited two hours only to learn that they could not be installed since this was a safety issue and Subaru is all about safety. I had to leave my car, and I was provided with a loaner, which was also a 2025 Legacy. The passenger seat's airbag light/icon stayed off when I sat in the passenger seat of the loaner too. I reported this to Mark Harris, a Subaru Advocacy Rep. He told me to sit in the back seat from now on. He also said to put my purse on my lap to add weight, which is highly discouraged in the Legacy's manual. As of today, 1/19/25, my Legacy is still in the service garage at Brunswick, and no one is giving me any answers-not the service manager, John Cross, nor the Subaru Advocate, Mark Harris. I have emailed and called every day since 12/31/25. Because this behavior occurred in two separate 2025 Legacies, it appears to be a system design defect rather than an isolated incident. The owner's manual states that the airbag may not activate for a "small adult", but this term is NOT defined by weight or any objective criteria. As a consumer, I had no way of knowing that an adult my size would not be protected by the front passenger airbag. This lack of disclosure prevented an informed purchase decision. I believe this presents a safety risk because adult occupants may be riding without frontal airbag protection. I request the federal safety agency review my concerns
My vehicle is suffering of the exact same issue described in recall WRA-24. However, this recall only covers the model years 2020 to 2022, mine is 2014 with approximately 106,000 miles. Since the last week of December, my vehicle has been to the Fort Wayne, IN Subaru Dealership approximately 9 time for the same issue. It has cost me over $2,500 plus the fuel used for all this trips (I live over 40 miles away from the dealership). The problem is still not 100 percent fixed after they changed the seat cushion, the airbag module, the seat belt buckle sensor, and I don't know what else. The last time (a couple of weeks ago) that the car was at the dealership, they had the car for over 2 weeks. The next morning, the car did the same thing again where the red airbag warning light turns on and the passenger airbag shuts off with a passenger sitting on the seat. I've taken videos of the issue to show the dealership as they seemed doubtful of what I was explaining to them. The dealer claims they have been in contact with Subaru and they don't know what else to do. They started providing me with a loaner free of charge after the 4th visit. In summary, same issue as WRA-24, over $2,500 so far, and still not resolved.
The vehicle has been stopped while driving, on 5 occasions. My mechanic replaced the battery terminal part on 3/31/21 on 5/12/21 40 minutes into my drive, the airbag malfuncation icon came on. As well as an idiot light in the center panel of the dash board by the mphil guage.two hours later the ignition lock light began blinking and car would not start. Concurrent to this the front passenger window can not be operated from drivers side. On 5/14/21, 40 minutes into my drive the airbag warning light came on again on the dashboard. All the same stuff happened again.
Air bag light is on (on dash).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The passenger seat belt warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to burlington subaru (351 shelburne rd, burlington, vt 05401, (802)448-3880) where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover a portion of the cost for the repairs. The failure mileage was 78,000.
I have owned my legacy since '14 and my brother owned it before that. He rarely had passengers ride with him and since I've owned it the few passengers I've had have always been heavier than me. (I usually did all the driving). About a year and a half ago, I took a road trip with a friend and he did most of the driving. We started noticing that when I was in the passenger seat the airbag light for the passenger side would say off. I tried adjusting my seat and changing positions and occasionally I could get it to turn back on. We switched seats and it immediately worked for him. I am 5' 9" and was about 150 # at the time. He is 5'8" and about 165. I took it in to the local dealership and they confirmed something was indeed wrong and told me that I must have spilled liquid on the seat that had ruined the sensors. This didn't make any sense to me because while I could not activate the sensors, the dealership employee being heavier than me activated it immediately when sitting in the seat. My brother and I are very particular with our vehicles and no such thing ever occurred. They told me it would cost a few thousand dollars to fix. I could not afford that expense and figured that I would just try to live with it. Fast forward to recently when I took another trip with a friend and this time I could not get the airbag to turn on no matter where or how I sat. I am now down to about 135 # and apparently the seat doesn't recognize that weight as an adult. I have been researching what to do for this problem because, as a fire fighter, I have seen what happens when an airbag does not deploy in a wreck. I have found many forums online with doz of people stating that they have the same problem and have been having it since the vehicle was new. This is an obvious manufacturing issue that hopefully has not cost any lives and soa needs to be held accountable for their dishonesty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 subaru legacy. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated first week he bought it. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Steve moyer subaru (201 s centre ave, leesport, pa 19533), was contacted by phone. The contact was informed that the passenger side air bags sensor was replaced as part of a recall previously by an unknown dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Dealer told the consumer they could fix it but the consumer would need to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,800. *bf
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
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 ???
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Recall number 24V227000 · 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 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 (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 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Recall number 19V009000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Recall number 19V008000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Recall number 19V007000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.
Recall number 18V014000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other 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 on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.
Recall number 18V013000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other 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 on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Recall number 18V012000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Legacy airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Subaru Legacy?
Owners who report it most often also describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, won't start and windshield cracks, and the codes they mention most are P0766.
Which Subaru Legacy years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (21 complaints), 2008 (17 complaints) and 2010 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Subaru Legacy?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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