The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·18V012000·Announced 2018-01-09

Subaru Recalls Vehicles Due to Passenger Air Bag Inflator Explosion Risk

Subaru is recalling specific 2009-2013 models because passenger air bag inflators may explode 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 'serious injury or death,' which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury reports or potential for serious harm.

Plain-English summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX, and Outback vehicles, as well as 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles. This recall applies to vehicles sold or ever registered in specific states and territories, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The affected vehicles are equipped with certain passenger frontal air bag inflators that may explode during deployment. This risk is caused by propellant degradation resulting from long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An explosion could send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle, striking the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, which may result in serious injury or death.

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
SUBARU FORESTER, LEGACY, IMPREZA, TRIBECA
Brand
SUBARU
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag Inflator
Hazard
Affected units
64,179

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 (7)

  • FORESTER
  • LEGACY
  • IMPREZA
  • TRIBECA
  • OUTBACK
  • B9 TRIBECA
  • WRX

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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