The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·20V003000·Announced 2020-01-02

Subaru and Saab Recall Vehicles Due to Air Bag Inflator Defect

Subaru is recalling specific 2003-2014 models and Saab 9-2X vehicles because passenger air bag inflators may explode, posing a risk of 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' from sharp metal fragments, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defects involving life-threatening risks.

Plain-English summary

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles. This recall affects 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 defect involves passenger frontal air bag inflators that were previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation caused by long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Subaru will notify owners, and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact customer service at 1-844-373-6614, and Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's recall number is TKC-20. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
SUBARU, SAAB OUTBACK, BAJA, IMPREZA, LEGACY
Brand
SUBARU
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag Inflator
Hazard
Affected units
111,562

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
  • BAJA
  • IMPREZA
  • LEGACY
  • 9-2X
  • WRX
  • FORESTER

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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