The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·19V009000·Announced 2019-01-09

Subaru Recalls Vehicles Due to Air Bag Inflator Explosion Risk

Subaru is recalling specific 2010-2014 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 explicitly states that the defect may result in 'serious injury or death' from sharp metal fragments, which 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 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles, and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles. These vehicles were 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.

The recall addresses 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.

Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners can 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
452,630

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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