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Subaru Outback Recall 17V014: Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants

NHTSA campaign 17V014, reported January 10, 2017, 53,480 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. Over time, the inflator's propellant can degrade after long exposure to humidity and temperature changes, and this degradation can cause the inflator to break apart.

If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike the occupants, which may result in serious injury or death. Owners in the affected states and territories should take this recall seriously.

Subaru will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator at no cost. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783, and should check their VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 17V014Subaru of America, Inc.
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX 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. These vehicles are 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.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Notes
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.

Affected vehicles

Subaru B9 Tribeca2012
Subaru Baja20052006
Subaru Forester2009201020112012
Subaru Impreza200620072008200920102011
Subaru Legacy2009201020112012
Subaru Outback2009201020112012
Subaru Tribeca200620072008200920102011
Subaru WRX2012