# Subaru Outback airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 33 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (9) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 33 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Subaru Outback (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (9). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Subaru Outback airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 509 | 0% | | 2017 | 4 | 921 | 0% | | 2018 | 2 | 816 | 0% | | 2019 | 6 | 1036 | 1% | | 2020 | 9 | 905 | 1% | | 2021 | 3 | 299 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 465 | 0% | | 2025 | 5 | 83 | 6% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Subaru Outback recalls related to the airbag warning light **[24V227000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V227000)** (2020-2022 models, reported 2024-03-22): An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. **[19V910000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V910000)** (2016-2017 models, reported 2019-12-19): In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Subaru Outback owners report - "The front seat passenger airbag has an amber colored lighted alert indicator on the dashboard that is supposed to change from "off" to "on" when an occupant of sufficient weight is seated in that position. The dealer who recently sold me my new 2025 Subaru Outback advised me that this indicator is calibrated to..." -- owner of a 2025 Subaru Outback, complaint filed 2025 - "Rechecked to verify air bag warning system is operating as designed." Nevertheless, the sensor does not always recognize that I am in the seat so I am still at risk. I am, by the way, an adult who is over 5 Ft but weighs 90 pounds. I bought the car for safety because Subaru touts safety in advertisements. I find..." -- owner of a 2022 Subaru Outback, complaint filed 2024 - "The air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available." -- owner of a 2021 Subaru Outback, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Subaru Outback airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (24V227000, 19V910000) covering 2016-2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Subaru Outback years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2019, 2020 and 2025 Outback model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 9 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Subaru Outback with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Subaru Outback has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Subaru dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Subaru Outback warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/subaru-outback): 10 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/subaru-outback): 14 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/subaru-outback): 46 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/subaru-outback): 67 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/subaru-outback): 25 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/subaru-outback): 18 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/subaru-outback): 33 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/subaru-outback): 13 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/subaru-outback): 15 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Subaru Outback - [Subaru Outback specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/subaru-outback) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-outback Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.