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Subaru Outback Recall 20V003: Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel

NHTSA campaign 20V003, reported January 2, 2020, 111,562 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture. Propellant in the inflator can degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature cycling, and the inflator may then explode when the airbag deploys.

An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, which can cause serious injury or death. This recall covers vehicles whose passenger inflators were previously replaced under an earlier recall with inflators of the same design, and applies to vehicles originally sold or ever registered in listed northern and cold-weather states or in "Zone C."

Dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflators free of charge. Subaru owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, and check your VIN for open recalls on the NHTSA website.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 20V003Subaru of America, Inc.
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
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

Saab 9-2X20052006
Subaru Baja2003200420052006
Subaru Forester20092010201120122013
Subaru Impreza20042005200620072008200920102011
Subaru Legacy200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Subaru Outback200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Subaru WRX20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014