The Recall Desk
CriticalNHTSA·19V008000·Announced 2019-01-09

Subaru Recalls Vehicles Due to Passenger Air Bag Inflator Explosion Risk

Subaru is recalling specific 2010-2014 models because passenger air bag inflators may explode during deployment, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

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 Critical severity score.

Plain-English summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles, and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles. The recall applies to vehicles sold or registered in specific states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The affected vehicles are equipped with certain passenger frontal air bag inflators that may explode due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. If the air bag deploys in a crash, the explosion could send sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
SUBARU OUTBACK, FORESTER, LEGACY, IMPREZA
Brand
SUBARU
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag Inflator
Hazard
Affected units
330,120

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)

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

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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