2013 Subaru Impreza airbags problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Nov 27, 2025MACrash2 injuredTowedAirbagsOther / Unknown

   Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.

   NHTSA complaint #11701791 · source
2. Filed Nov 15, 2024WAAirbags

   The airbag indicator light on the driver’s dash is illuminated most times that I drive my car. The passenger airbag indicator shows that airbags are OFF, even when someone is seated in the passenger seat. This is a very serious safety concern. What if an accident occurred and the airbags don’t deploy? I’ve also read about a switch in the airbag assembly that could explode causing serious injury or death to the driver or passenger. The problem has not been confirmed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11625402 · source
3. Filed Aug 21, 2023MAAirbagsElectrical System

   During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11539768 · source
4. Filed May 28, 2023CAAirbags

   When the front passenger seat is damp, the passenger airbag light shows it is off, and the dash lights display an error light on the dashboard. The concern is that the passenger is not protected while the airbag is not on.

   NHTSA complaint #11524253 · source
5. Filed Jan 14, 2023WAAirbags

   Srs airbag light comes in dash when passenger is is car, airbags will not turn on for passenger side only. Research showed it is a common issue with 2012 and 2013 Subaru airbag systems and it is extremely concerning

   NHTSA complaint #11501813 · source
6. Filed Apr 12, 2022FLAirbags

   Passenger side seat occupancy sensor failed to recognize the occupancy of the passenger seat. Sensor seams to have failed causing the airbag malfunction light to illuminate on the dash. After considerable research online this seems to be a consistent problem with these vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a recall for the same sensor in 2012 Subaru Imprezas but not for the 2013 Subaru Imprezas.

   NHTSA complaint #11460611 · source
7. Filed Oct 26, 2021MEAirbags

   In humid weather SRS airbag warning light illuminates and passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in the front seat. Car is in motion (or can be stationary but running) when this happens. Does not occur on days when weather is cool and dry. I feel this should be considered a very serious issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11438214 · source
8. Filed Oct 25, 2021MDAirbags

   If a passenger with mildly damp pants or bathing suit sits in the car the airbag warning light will come on and the indicator for passenger airbag disabled will light. This happens consistently and does not require much moisture. It happens with a mildly damp bathing suit under shorts while sitting on a towel. It will not happen (again, consistently) if the passenger sits on a plastic bag. The airbag should be more reliable than this. The dealer said there is no fix for this…

   NHTSA complaint #11438113 · source
9. Filed Oct 15, 2021MIAirbags

   Airbag occupancy sensors fail if driver or passenger are warm from exercise or damp. I have experienced this many times in the course of my ownership(2015-present). The dealership reports the system is functioning properly although 2012 Imprezas were recalled for a similar issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11436897 · source
10. Filed Oct 13, 2021WAAirbags

    The passenger airbag occupancy sensor in my care is broken and has been since I purchased this vehicle in 2016. It is the same issue that caused the recall of 2012 Impreza models, however, my 2013 model is not covered under the recall despite having the same occupancy sensor for the airbags. If the passenger airbag sensor is exposed to moisture, whether from a wet seat, a sweaty bum, or even an excessively humid environment like Charleston SC in the summer or western…

    NHTSA complaint #11436688 · source
11. Filed Oct 9, 2021COAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    The air bag light and “passenger airbag off” lights on dash come on sometimes when a passenger is in the car. I took my car to the Subaru dealer/service department and they charged me $140 to reset the lights and tell me the solution is to replace the passenger seat for $900.

    NHTSA complaint #11436163 · source
12. Filed Oct 8, 2021IDAirbags

    When an adult passenger is sitting normally in the front passenger seat the passenger air bag regularly turns off. The warning light comes on indicating the air bag is off. This put the front passenger at risk if their air bag fails to deploy.

    NHTSA complaint #11436106 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology