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NHTSA Recall 18V012000: Inflator module (air bags)

Subaru of America, Inc. reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 64,179 vehicles. It affects 7 models including the Subaru B9 Tribeca.

64,179
vehicles potentially affected
7
models affected
2018
owners notified (February 9)
NHTSA campaign18V012000
Manufacturer campaignTKA-18
ComponentAIR BAGS › FRONTAL › PASSENGER SIDE › INFLATOR MODULE
Report receivedJanuary 9, 2018
Owner notificationFebruary 9, 2018
Initiated byNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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 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.

Safety 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, 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 TKA-18.

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.

Vehicles covered by recall 18V012000

Make and modelModel years
Subaru B9 Tribeca2012
Subaru Forester2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Subaru Impreza2009, 2010, 2011
Subaru Legacy2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Subaru Outback2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Subaru Tribeca2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Subaru WRX2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.