The dash pad in the 2005 to 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback models have a very common problem of deteriorating to where they become sticky and then sections start cracking and falling off. My concern is that this is happening in the area of the passenger air bag. There is a portion of the dash bad which says SRS AIRBAG imprinted in the pad material and mines actually about to fall off. If the air bag should deploy from a serious enough collision, these loose pieces will be one projectiles and could easily cause injury esp to someone eye. I reached out to SOA but they offered no help. The claim number was 250530-0001813. Subaru did extend the warranty on this a few years back but they have since expired. The missing piece in the image is towards the bottom but the area directly over the airbag is severely cracked.
2008 Subaru Outback: airbag warning light
57 of the 226 complaints about the 2008 Subaru Outback describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 57
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical repair cost reported
- $364
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- recalls
- 4
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag sensor light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was also flashing. The failure became constant. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's husband had inspected the air bag sensor under the front passenger’s seat and determined that the sensor was functioning. The contact stated that her husband replaced the air bag sensor in the front passenger’s seat sun visor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
Airbag dashboard warning light stayed on while driving on 1/31/2022 and 2/1/2022. Dealer (Autofair Subaru in Haverhill Massachusetts) confirmed there was a problem in the overhead console. Researching the problem, I came across https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/2006-obw-airbag-light-on-my-fix.42574/ which identified a loose component on the printed circuit board caused by a crack in the solder. Cold weather seems to exacerbate the crack and cause the component to fail intermittently. Many have reported this problem with their Subaru and have made repairs by touching up the solder. Subaru states that the collision system may not function when this condition causes the Airbag Warning Light to remain on.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be completed. The vehicle was repaired however, after the repairs she started to hear an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing unknown repairs to be performed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front passenger’s side ball joint and power steering rack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the rear differential fill plug and the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the transmission was not replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure of the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated recently the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer and independent mechanic were made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
[2008 subaru outback with 82,000 miles, takada airbag replacement july 2020]. Airbag warning light (red) illuminated on the dashboard instrument panel as soon as the car is turned on and remains on as long as the engine is running whether moving or stationary. This is notifying the driver that the airbag system is inoperable as stated by multiple mechanics, subaru mechanics and subaru service managers over dozens of blogs and even the subaru website. Overhead console (in map light group) shows proper notification of seatbelt need and airbag activation when weight is exerted on passenger seat surface, but with the airbag red warning light lit on the dashboard, the passenger, and possibly driver airbag, is totally inoperative. This is a serious safety issue and neglect by subaru in addressing this safety problem is of immediate concern. Hundreds of subaru owners, many not directly reporting to the federal safety agency, have complained about this serious safety issue, but nothing has been done.
Passenger airbag light above map light comes on intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer in september 2012 twice for this issue (still ongoing). Service writer said component needed to be replaced because it was faulty. He indicated the airbag would still deploy in the event of a crash, but the sensor in the seat is not able to read the weight of the passenger and if I had a smaller and shorter adult in the front seat, they could be injured because the airbag would deploy at a higher rate of speed and with greater force possibly injuring the passenger. This appears to be an ongoing and prevalent issue with this make and model. The airbag light will go on and off regardless of temperature, driving or parked, and if there is or is not a passenger. This is clearly an issue that warrants a recall. *tr *bf
I bought my car in 2016 there was a recall on airbags, they fixed it before I bought it, but my airbag light has been going on and off for over a year now, I had my mechanic reset it , but it comes back on, is it under warranty still or not ?
The vehicle was in motion going 45 MPH. I slowed down to stop at a stop light and the ABS light began to flash on and off. As I got closer to the stop light to completely stop the check engine light came on, the ABS light came on, the airbag light came on, the brake light came on, the cruise control light was on and flashing and the steering wheel completely locked up and the engine was off. I turned the car back on and everything was fine. The ABS light, check engine light, cruise control light, air bag light and brake light are still on. I am afraid to drive this vehicle for fear that it will turn off again. I am uncertain of what could be causing this but it seems to be an electrical system problem. This problem also happened to me as I was slowing down to turn off of the highway. I am glad there was no one behind me because my car completely died after I turned off the highway with the same lights and same thing happening as stated above.
Takata recall - the car was recalled 3 times. The mechanic said as long as the airbag light was on, the airbag would not work. He said the fix was not included in the recall.
My vehicle has a problem with an intermittent airbag light illuminating, indicating an issue with the airbag system. Specifically in my case, it indicates that the overhead airbag indicator system is in a fault state. This is extremely common in this vehicle and age, with many other owners reporting the same issue with no recall action from subaru. This is a major safety issue with this car if not addressed and can result in the airbags not deploying in the event of a crash. Cost for an owner to repair (and in my case) is $300+ and should be covered by subaru.
Sometimes the airbag light comes on either when the car is started or once it's driving. It's very sporadic.
There's seems to be a common issue with the wiring on 2005-2009 subaru outback/legacy models that affects both the airbag and the locking mechanism. I have seen multiple threads online where the airbag indicator light comes on specifically indicating that the passenger airbag may be affected and sensors may be faulty? There is also a common error in the electrical system in which when you lock the car - all locks activate with the exception of the rear tailgate which poses a safety risk or total theft of the car. These problems occur upon vehicle ignition and when the car is on or off (for the locking)
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
- Based on ballistic testing results, it has been determined that affected vehicles with registration...
- We announced late last month that the WQR-53 takata front passenger air bag inflator recall has been...
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 Outback airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
57 of 226 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Outback (25%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2008.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $364 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Subaru Outback?
There are 4 recalls and 23 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Subaru Outback
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