2003 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Air bags account for 16.4% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 12.1%.
Complaints116
Crashes7
Fires1
Injuries3
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 16.4% · 19
Engine and engine cooling 12.1% · 14
Power train 11.2% · 13
Suspension 9.5% · 11
Vehicle speed control 8.6% · 10
Electrical system 6.0% · 7
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.2% · 6
Engine 4.3% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 3 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Subaru Outback in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 2019 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 28 in the last three years against 9 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 74,110 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v359000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. Air bags
Takata recall. The closest Subaru dealership is 125 miles away. When I called Subaru we were told that the car must be repaired at a Subaru dealership. This constitutes a hardship for us to have a manufacturer defect repaired for a number of reasons. 1) I am handicapped and have trouble sitting in a car for that long. 2) There is 3 feet of snow on the ground 3) this is our only mode of transport. Air bags
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v3410000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…