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2003 SUBARU Outback AIR BAGS Recalls

8 recalls Highest severity: High Priority

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service for AIR BAGS issues.

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AIR BAGS Safety Recalls

High Priority #20V001000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger air bag in your vehicle is a critical safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect you. It uses a special inflator to fill the air bag quickly. In some 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX, 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X models, this inflator may fail catastrophically.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes in a crash, it could send sharp metal fragments flying into you or other occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a safer one, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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 had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V002000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger airbag in your vehicle is a safety feature that protects you in a crash. In certain older Subaru and Saab models, the airbag inflator could fail and explode.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, sharp metal fragments could shoot towards you and the other occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new one, absolutely free of charge. You'll be notified when the repair is ready, and you should schedule it as soon as possible to stay safe.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V003000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to cushion the impact. In certain Subaru models from 2003-2014, the air bag inflator, which is like a tiny explosive that makes the air bag inflate, could fail due to age and humidity.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a new one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) 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 originally 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V358000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger airbag in your vehicle is a critical safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect you. In certain models, the airbag's inflator could degrade over time and rupture in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator ruptures in a crash, sharp metal fragments could strike you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new one at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V361000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger side air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in the event of a crash to cushion your body. In certain 2003-2004 Subaru models, the air bag inflator could malfunction and rupture, releasing sharp metal fragments.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator ruptures, sharp metal could fly into your body, causing serious injury or even death, which could be fatal.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a new one, free of charge, to ensure your safety on the road. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in 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 "Zone C.". 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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16. Note: This recall covers vehicles that were not previously covered in 16V-358 for Zone A or 16V-359 for Zone B.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V359000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The airbag in your passenger seat is a crucial safety feature that inflates in a crash to cushion your body. In some older Subaru models, the inflator that makes this happen might be faulty.
Risk if Unfixed
If your airbag inflates and ruptures, sharp metal fragments could hit you or your passenger, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the potentially faulty airbag inflator with a new one – at no cost to you. You'll receive a notification letter with instructions on how to schedule the free repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." 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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
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 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V323000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger airbag in your vehicle is the part that deploys to protect you in a frontal crash. In certain Subaru models from 2003-2008, this airbag's inflator can be damaged by moisture, which could cause it to rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator ruptures during a crash, it could release sharp metal shards that could seriously injure or even kill you or a passenger. This is a very serious safety risk.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new one, completely free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #14V763000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS

Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger airbag in your Subaru is designed to protect you in a crash. But in certain models made between 2003-2005, the airbag inflator can rupture when it's deployed.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator breaks apart in a crash, metal shards could shoot towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Subaru dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator for free. You'll get a notice when it's time for the repair, and you should schedule it as soon as possible to ensure your safety.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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