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Subaru Outback Recall 19V008: Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

NHTSA campaign 19V008, reported January 9, 2019, 330,120 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Certain Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. Over time, the propellant inside the inflator can degrade from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes, causing the inflator to explode and send sharp metal fragments toward the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants. This can cause serious injury or death.

Subaru will replace the passenger front airbag inflator free of charge at an authorized dealer. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 and reference recall number TKB-19. Check your vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls to confirm whether your vehicle is included.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 19V008Subaru of America, Inc.
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles 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. 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.
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.
Remedy
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
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 Forester2010201120122013
Subaru Impreza20102011
Subaru Legacy20102011201220132014
Subaru Outback20102011201220132014
Subaru Tribeca2010201120132014
Subaru WRX20102011201220132014