2018 Subaru Outback: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Brakes, Fuel system · ME · crash · 1 injury

Driving slowly in a parking lot, I applied the brakes as I approached a parking space. Instead of slowing down, the car inexplicably accelerated quickly and did not respond to increased pressure on the brakes. The car was propelled into a metal post, resulting in my glasses flying off and a seat belt bruise, although the airbag did not deploy. I was examined by ambulance personnel at the scene. The car was towed, inspected by an insurance adjuster and eventually declared a total loss. There were no warning lamps prior to the incident and no reproduction of the incident was possible due to damage. The car has been relinquished to the insurance company. This was the first such incident occurring during 8 years of driving this vehicle.

Filed Aug 25, 2023 · Acceleration · 41,000 miles · MO · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while their wife was pulling into a parking space, uphill, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a sign. The vehicle continued accelerating approximately a car length of distance causing it to jump another curb onto grass and eventually come to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle had damage to the front end and bumper of the vehicle. The contact had no injuries and medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who had not diagnosed the vehicle and it had not been repaired. The contact stated they found an article regarding the year/make/model experiencing the same failure due to a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Airbags · NE · crash · 8 injuries

Severe, head-on impact to driver's side, other car was totaled. Police expected both cars to be totaled, and were surprised that driver's side airbag did not deploy. Driver was not seriously injured, however, she took a hard hit to her head, neck and shoulder. Dealer, independent service center have not inspected the vehicle, nor has problem been reproduced. Airbag has not been inspected by the manufacturer, or insurance rep., police and repair facility only. No warning lamps, etc. Were known to have illuminated. The vehicle and airbag are available for inspection.

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NY · crash · 1 injury

The vehicle, a 2018 Subaru Outback Limited 3.6R, was being pulled into the garage at the owner’s home. With brakes applied, and while putting vehicle into park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward making contact with a suspended shelf attached to the back wall of the garage. The force of the vehicle was such that the shelf and back wall of the garage were completely separated from the home in one piece and pushed approximately 10 yards away from the home before the shelf broke away from the wall upon impact with the ground, perpendicular to the back of the house. The vehicle then traveled down two hills in the back yard, across a water saturated easement, over a concrete drainage culvert and came to rest at the base of an incline in an adjacent yard approximately 150 ft from the garage. Air bags did not deploy and the owner suffered minor contusions causing pain and stiffness, but no significant injuries are noted as of this report. The vehicle was totaled and significant damage was caused to the residence. No collision warnings were displayed prior to collision and emergency braking did not apply upon acceleration. This was the first incidence of sudden acceleration experienced by the owner so this issue has never been checked out by a service technician and will not be repaired. The vehicle had less than 8000 miles on the odometer. The vehicle is currently located in a repair lot and the owner’s insurance company has been requested to hold the vehicle for inspection prior to disposal. The cause of the sudden acceleration is unknown, but the owner is confident that the brakes were being applied at the time of occurrence, and that they remained cognizant throughout the incident as they were unable to stop the forward progression of the vehicle until it came to rest on the muddy incline.

Filed Dec 12, 2021 · Airbags · MI · crash · 1 injury

I was rear-ended on August 30 in this vehicle while at a traffic stop by a truck traveling 65+mph. Upon impact, I was pushed into the vehicle in front of me at a high rate of speed. Despite being hit from behind and pushed into the vehicle ahead of me no airbags deployed in the vehicle. As a result, my head struck the steering wheel knocking me unconscious, and has resulted in a traumatic brain injury, labyrinthine concussion, whiplash, and damage to my vision and hearing. The vehicle was totaled out by my insurance company and the vehicle was sold to CoPart and I don't believe anyone has investigated it even though all parties have been made aware of it. Prior to the accident there were no warning lights and all vehicle safety systems appeared to be in working order.

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Airbags · 10,300 miles · AR · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2018 subaru outback. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle attempted to merge into an open lane and was struck by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by allstate insurance to an open lot where it was deemed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised him to file a complaint with the insurance company. The failure mileage was 10,300. *tt consumer stated the insurance company is attempting to repair the car. Updated 11/21/18