2016 Subaru Outback: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · Fuel system · OR · crash

As I was pulling slowly into a parking spot in a busy lot that serves a lot of small businesses, my Subaru suddenly accelerated forward, over the concrete parking bumper and raised sidewalk area, and into the side of the building. While I was uninjured and had no passengers in the vehicle, the car sustained damage to the apron and tire area on front passenger side of the car. The airbag did not inflate. Tiling on the exterior of the building was impacted, but not greatly damaged, and I had been able to avoid the plate glass entry to the business. A few customers were greatly alarmed by the Subaru's proximity to their lunch tables by the windows. I was able to put the vehicle into reverse and carefully move it off the sidewalk. I exited the car and went in to share my insurance information with the empathetic employees and manager of the business. I was able to drive my vehicle about two blocks to a larger lot, so that the towing company my husband contacted could access it, but not for several hours. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it remains until they are finished with it. The claims people seem to have reached the conclusion that since I was driving, I must be at fault in this accident. I immediately, and still, continue to think over that incident, trying to determine how parking carefully and without distraction could turn into such a collision. I believe that I am not to blame. In reading the reports that have been made to your agency on Subarus of this vintage, there are marked similarities to the narratives on sudden unintended acceleration caused by Subaru equipment faults. I have lost confidence in what has been my favorite car. I'm hoping that some clear path exists for me to drive it again without anxiety.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NY · crash · 2 injuries

I was in a parking lot at a near-complete stop. I needed to nose the car about 18 inches to move it all the way into the spot. I lightly touched the accelerator to inch the car forward, and it shot forward as if some outside force had stomped on the accelerator. The car jumped the sidewalk and slammed into the wall of the building. The car inner body bent and the car is totaled. The airbags did not inflate. The passenger in the passenger seat sustained a fractured sternum and two broken ribs from going into the seatbelt. The driver sustained a sore neck and dizziness.

Filed Apr 8, 2021 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 44,343 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru outback. The contact stated that while his wife had attempted to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated while at a complete stop. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped a curb and hit a tree; however, his wife was unsure if any warning lights had illuminated during the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the contact's wife was not injured. The police were called to the scene; however, the contact was unaware if a police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired for the damage. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was placed under recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v794000 (power train) where it was serviced by north end subaru(757 chase rd, lunenburg, ma 01462). The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,343.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Airbags · 14,200 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Wife had an accident where she pulled in front of large f350 truck, hit on passenger side. She was going 15 MPH, and truck was going 50-60 MPH. The side curtain and front airbag on passenger side deployed. Her car also hit a sign and tree, caving in the front of vehicle. Her driver's side airbags did not deploy and she was severely injured and spent 8 days in hospital. Lost partial dentures, another tooth and bent her implant when her face hit steering wheel. She had about 150 stitches to face and has permanent scaring to face as a result of the failure of airbag to deploy. She was wearing seat belt and has bruises to show for it. The driver's side airbag should have deployed. Airbag is made by takata. Could not find any open recalls on airbag. Initial impact was to right side, and then front of her 2016 subaru outback struck tree and sign. Airbag should have deployed.

Filed Nov 24, 2018 · Steering · 35,000 miles · AR · crash · 1 injury

I was traveling on i49 at ~60 MPH, in light rain, and non freezing temperature. I was on a straight stretch of road with cruise control off. The tires were in good condition. I was approaching brush creek bridge and holding the steering wheel steady and straight. The car started to drift left and steering was not responding. The rear of the car started to get ahead of the front and the car was going sideways. As soon as the car stared to drift, I took my foot off the gas and tried to regain steering. When sliding sideways on the bridge, I cut the steering wheel in the direction the car was sliding. At that time, the car regained some steering capability and oversteered to the right side of the bridge, traveling sideways against a cement barrier until stopped. The air bags never deployed. There was extensive front end damage amounting in ~$10000 in repairs. The car started and was driven home after the incident. Although it was raining, there was no indication that the accident was related to any traction loss and the traction light was not activated. I think the existing steering recall may have impacted more vechicles than previously thought. I suspect that the steering is defective and the existing sterling recall did not catch all of the affected vehicles. I also found it surprising that no air bags deploys, even though this was a high impact crash. I had bruising in my sternum, knees, elbows and along the seat belt path.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Acceleration, Airbags · 4,000 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 subaru outback. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. The front end was severely damaged and the vehicle was destroyed; however, the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not determined. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 4,000. Updated 08/09/17*lj updated 10/13/2017

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 1,100 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 subaru outback. While the vehicle was secured in park with the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle lunged forward independently when the brake was released. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The driver then shifted into reverse and the vehicle accelerated independently in reverse. The driver shifted into drive and the vehicle independently accelerated forward again and crashed into the side of a building. The vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into a tree coming to a stop. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer; however, a diagnostic test showed no fault codes. The approximate failure mileage was 1,100.