The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·16V361000·Announced 2016-05-25

Subaru Recalls 2003-2004 Models for Air Bag Inflator Rupture Risk

Subaru is recalling 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles because passenger air bag inflators may rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect may result in metal fragments striking occupants, causing serious injury or death. This aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defects involving life-threatening hazards.

Plain-English summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or registered in specific states, including Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or designated as "Zone C." The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain passenger frontal air bag inflators that were used as original or replacement equipment.

The defect involves the potential for these inflators to rupture due to propellant degradation caused by long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. In the event of a crash that necessitates the deployment of the front air bags, the rupture may result in metal fragments striking vehicle occupants, which could lead to serious injury or death.

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16. This recall covers vehicles that were not previously covered in recalls 16V-358 for Zone A or 16V-359 for Zone B.

The recalled product

Product
SUBARU OUTBACK, BAJA, LEGACY
Brand
SUBARU
Affected units
62,940

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • OUTBACK
  • BAJA
  • LEGACY

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.