Airbag Recall/Replacement & Backup Camera Now Not Working
Asked by lillianpete Mar 25, 2019 at 10:17 AM about the 2014 Subaru Outback
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I took my 2014 Outback in for the airbag recall last week, and ever since I
pulled out of the dealership my backup camera has not worked properly. The
image/display cuts in and out -- mostly out. The dealership service people tell
me that there is ZERO chance of their having done anything to create the
problem. They say that my camera has just failed, and the timing is just a
coincidence. I don't buy it. It seems to me that something must have
happened to the wiring between the camera and the display during the airbag
replacement. Anyone out there have any thoughts or recommendations?
4 Answers
YES, go to an independent shop that specializes in backup camera installations and see if they can diagnose the problem. And, while fixing it they will definitely be able to tell you if the Subaru dealership did something to cause this to happen... I'm thinking they probably didn't do anything? But, this independent shop will be a great place to provide an expert opinion...if the dealership did do something and you can get the independent shop to write this up on their repair order, go back to the dealership and prove it. Good luck.
I am having the same problem with my 2014 Outback when we brought our car in to get the airbag replaced due to the recall. We immediately noticed our rear view backup camera was not working properly as well. The service center kept denying it and saying that the two were not related. This has never happened until they replaced the airbag. Now, because the service center are so backup with recalls that it’s hard to schedule an early convenient time to get this looked at and fixed. I feel like these two are related because they have to take off the front panel dash and the wires are pretty close to each other. Any thoughts or help that can help guide us would be greatly appreciated too.
lillianpete answered 4 years ago
I’m sorry you are having this problem, too. I took my Outback back to the same service center a week later, and they still insisted there was no relationship. (Impossible!) However, I complained so loudly that they at least reduced the cost of the camera replacement by a hefty percentage. And it now works perfectly. Did they also repair something with the wires beneath the dash and just not admit it/tell me?? I will never know. I just figured I could never “win” and wanted a working camera asap. Sorry not to have a better answer for you!
I knew I wasn't crazy. My 2014 Outback back up camera started going in and out after the replaced air bag. This is not a coincidence, and the guy just says hey it's moisture. Nope not buying it especially when it's 90° and no moisture for days.
