2010 Subaru Outback Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

37Air Bags complaints

10.3%Of all 359 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN79 · 22%

ENGINE44 · 12.3%

STEERING41 · 11.4%

AIR BAGS37 · 10.3%

SERVICE BRAKES35 · 9.7%

Share of the 359 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2010 Subaru Outback overview page.

What owners report

“THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT INDICATE 'ON' PREDICTABLY WHEN I AM SEATED. I AM A 125LB WOMAN. THE AIRBAG SENSOR SOMETIMES COMES ON…”NHTSA complaint 10641391 — filed 10/04/2014

“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OF OUR 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE'VE BROUGHT THE…”NHTSA complaint 10475507 — filed 09/15/2012

“THE 'FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR' REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHILE MY WIFE (WHO WEIGHS MORE THAN 100 POUNDS) RIDES IN THIS SEAT. (I.E., THE AIRBAG…”NHTSA complaint 10449569 — filed 02/28/2012

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Subaru Outback have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2010 Subaru Outback: 37 of 359 complaints on file (10.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2010 Subaru Outback have in total?

359 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.