Passenger side: inflator moduleRecall 18V-014 · Subaru vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. recall 18V-014 covers 72,150 Subaru vehicles for a passenger side: inflator module problem, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2018. The manufacturer's latest report (2023 Q2) shows 85% of affected vehicles repaired.

85%
Vehicles repaired61,379 of 72,150 · 2023 Q2
Vehicles affected72,1506 models
ReportedJan 9, 2018Owners notified Feb 9, 2018
Complaints since23Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 18V014000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.

What's wrong

The problem

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

The risk

An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

The fix

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.

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

85%repaired

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

0%50%100%2018 Q12023 Q2
6 models

Vehicles in this recall

Built from December 3, 2007 to May 29, 2009. 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