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Campaign 15V323 Posted May 20, 2015 432,016 units

2003-2008 Subaru Recall 15V323: Air Bag Inflator Rupture

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 1, 2026

Subaru is recalling 432,016 2003-2008 Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, and 9-2X vehicles for passenger-air-bag inflators. Free dealer repair once available.

Subaru is recalling 432,016 certain 2003-2008 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, and Legacy vehicles, plus 2005 Saab 9-2X vehicles, under recall 15V323 because moisture can enter the passenger frontal air bag inflator. In a crash where that air bag deploys, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants, and the dealer repair will be free once Subaru makes it available.

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What's wrong?

The front passenger air bag inflator in affected 2003-2008 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, and 9-2X vehicles is the metal canister that fills the passenger air bag during a crash. When the air bag deploys, the inflator burns propellant inside the canister and sends gas into the bag so it cushions the passenger side of the cabin.

On these vehicles, the propellant wafers inside the Takata inflator are susceptible to moisture intrusion. Years of exposure to high humidity can change the propellant, and tape seal leaks inside some inflators can let more moisture reach it. If the altered propellant burns too aggressively during deployment, pressure inside the inflator can rise high enough to rupture the inflator body.

There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator problem is inside the air bag module, so the vehicle can look and drive normally until the air bag deploys in a crash.

Who's affected?

Spans Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, and 9-2X across the 2003-2008 model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.

2003 Subaru Outback front air bag
2004 Subaru Outback front air bag
2003 Subaru Baja front air bag
2004 Subaru Baja front air bag
2004 Subaru Impreza front air bag
Units affected432,016

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 crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm your VIN and arrange the recall work once the repair opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2008 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, or 9-2X is included in this recall.
  2. Watch for Subaru repair instructions before scheduling the passenger air bag inflator replacement.
  3. Call Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 with questions and reference recall number 15V323 when you call.
  4. Contact a franchised Subaru dealer once the repair opens; the dealer replaces the passenger air bag inflator that can rupture during deployment.
  5. Bring the recall notice to the dealer if Subaru has mailed one.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the passenger air bag inflator covered by this recall. The old inflator is removed and a replacement inflator is installed so the passenger frontal air bag has the corrected part. Because the remedy status is not available in this record, treat the final dealer repair as free once Subaru opens it. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.

Timeline

May 20, 2015 Dealer notification began
May 28, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
June 17, 2015 Owner notification mailed
July 27, 2015 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V323?

Recall 15V323 covers 432,016 2003-2008 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, and 9-2X vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator that can rupture during deployment. Dealers replace the passenger air bag inflator for free.

What should I do if my 2003-2008 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, or 9-2X is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V323. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to arrange the passenger air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 15V323 or Subaru recall WQR-53 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and this recall states that dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is serious injury or death from metal fragments during passenger air bag deployment. In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send fragments toward occupants. The fix is the free inflator replacement.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall number 15V323 or Subaru recall WQR-53.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V323000
Subaru customer service1-800-782-2783
NHTSA recall #15V323
NHTSA recall # (full)15V323000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →