Recall 12V047 affects 381 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles for faulty side curtain air bags. Free repair at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 381 2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles because their side curtain air bags were built with an incorrect propellant mixture that produces too little compressed gas. In a crash, the side curtain air bags can fail to deploy, increasing injury risk, and the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The side curtain air bags in the 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback are designed to inflate along the side windows during a crash. Their job is to help cushion occupants' heads and upper bodies from the side glass, roof rail, and other hard interior surfaces. The system depends on a controlled burst of compressed gas to fill the air bag quickly.
In affected vehicles, the side curtain air bags contain an incorrect propellant mixture in the initiator component. The initiator is the part that starts the gas-producing reaction when the air bag is commanded to deploy. With the wrong mixture, the system does not produce enough compressed gas, so the curtain air bag does not inflate as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag assembly, so the driver will not hear, smell, or feel a change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Legacy and Outback are grouped under the same side air bag recall, so a matching model name alone does not decide inclusion.
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Outback | side air bag |
| Units affected | 381 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a side-impact crash, the side curtain air bags can fail to deploy, increasing injury risk. There is no owner warning sign listed for this air bag issue, so confirm your VIN and ask the dealer what repair timing applies. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to ask whether the free side curtain air bag module replacement is ready for your vehicle.
- Reference recall number 12V047 when you call Subaru or the dealer.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one, and ask the dealer to replace the side curtain air bag module that fixes the incorrect initiator propellant mixture.
- Avoid carrying passengers in the rear seats until the dealer confirms the air bag repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Subaru technician will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. The repair focuses on the air bag modules that contain the incorrect propellant mixture in the initiator component, which can leave the side curtain air bag with insufficient compressed gas output. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Call a Subaru dealer with your VIN so the service desk can confirm the campaign status and explain the parts process.
Timeline
| February 9, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 21, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V047?
Recall 12V047 covers 381 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles with side curtain air bags that contain the wrong initiator propellant mixture. The air bags can fail to deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk. Subaru dealers replace one or both side curtain air bag modules for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Subaru is included in recall 12V047. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the side curtain air bag module replacement. Reference recall 12V047 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru's remedy is free dealer replacement of one or both side curtain air bag modules. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Subaru dealer.
Is it safe to drive a 2012 Subaru Legacy or Outback with this recall?
The recall does not include a do not drive order. The risk is that the side curtain air bags can fail to deploy during a crash, increasing injury risk. Check your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Subaru Legacy or Outback used?
The free recall repair follows the vehicle, not the original owner. If you never received a Subaru letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Legacy or Outback is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall 12V047.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V047000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V047 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V047000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →