Passenger side: inflator moduleRecall 16V-358 · Saab and Subaru vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. recall 16V-358 covers 302,127 Saab and Subaru vehicles for a passenger side: inflator module problem, reported to NHTSA on May 25, 2016. The manufacturer's latest report (2023 Q2) shows 83% of affected vehicles repaired.

83%
Vehicles repaired249,595 of 302,127 · 2023 Q2
Vehicles affected302,1277 models
ReportedMay 25, 2016Owners notified Jul 22, 2016
Complaints since423Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 16V358000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.

What's wrong

The problem

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

The risk

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

The fix

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Repair progress

How fast cars are being fixed

83%repaired

Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.

0%50%100%2016 Q32023 Q2
7 models

Vehicles in this recall

Built from February 14, 2002 to August 31, 2011. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.

Background

The investigation behind this recall

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · open
    NHTSA