2013 Subaru Outback air bags problems
42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2013 Subaru Outback — 14% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Not really sure, I don’t remember. It’s a wooded area , lots of deer etc. But I honestly don’t remember I saw my car It it fully intact , all doors , hood,trunk Open, car starts too Only front drivers wheel is bent in and lowest part of front bumper needs repair”
filed Jun 9, 2026
“The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway, the passenger-side door was opened and the driver-side airbag deployed. The contact stated the airbag had exploded inadvertently. The contact informed their insurance and was waiting for further…”
filed May 4, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…Campaign 20V002000 · Jan 2, 2020
- Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators…Campaign 20V001000 · Jan 2, 2020
- Inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…Campaign 20V003000 · Jan 2, 2020
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…Campaign 19V008000 · Jan 9, 2019
- Virgin IslandsCampaign 19V007000 · Jan 9, 2019
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…Campaign 19V009000 · Jan 9, 2019
Air Bags problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 7% |
| 2024 Outback | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 Outback | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 Outback | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 Outback | 16 | 5% |
| 2020 Outback | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 Outback | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 Outback | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 Outback | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 Outback | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 Outback | 14 | 3% |
| 2014 Outback | 38 | 18% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.