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.
Source: NHTSA recall 18V014000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
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.
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.
How fast cars are being fixed
85%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.
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.
The investigation behind this recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureNHTSA