Recall 15V419 affects 30,348 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles because the passenger air bag sensor can deactivate. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 30,348 2012 Impreza sedans and wagons because the Occupant Detection System can deactivate when a front passenger uses a plugged-in device or touches certain metal seat hardware. If that happens, the passenger air bag turns off and will not deploy in a crash; Subaru dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The occupant detection system in the 2012 Subaru Impreza front passenger seat is supposed to decide whether a passenger is present and whether the passenger air bag should stay active. This recall involves the capacitance-type system, which reads electrical changes in the seat rather than passenger weight.
On affected Imprezas, the occupant control unit logic is too sensitive under certain electrical conditions. A passenger using a phone or music player plugged into the accessory power outlet, or touching a grounded metal part such as the seat adjuster lever, can make the system read an abnormal rise in capacitance. When that false reading happens, the system deactivates occupant detection and turns the passenger air bag indicator to "OFF".
The warning sign is visible. The Air Bag Warning Light will illuminate, and the Passenger Air Bag Indicator will show "OFF", which means the air bag system is not operating properly.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Subaru Impreza | air bag system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 30,348 |
Not every 2012 Subaru Impreza is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the occupant detection system shuts off, the front passenger air bag turns off and will not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant. Treat an Air Bag Warning Light or passenger air bag OFF indicator as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Subaru Impreza is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free Occupant Control Unit replacement, which addresses the ODS shutdown that turns off the front passenger air bag.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V419 and Subaru recall WQT-55 when you call.
- Avoid using plugged-in devices in the front passenger seat until the repair is complete, and keep passengers from touching metal seat hardware.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the Occupant Control Unit with a modified unit designed to address the Occupant Detection System issue described in the recall. The replacement parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the repair is free at a Subaru dealer. The recall repair is available now. Ask the service desk to confirm that campaign 15V419 is open for your VIN before the appointment.
Timeline
| June 25, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 25, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 1, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 21, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V419?
Recall 15V419 covers 30,348 2012 Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles, excluding WRX and STI models. The Occupant Detection System can deactivate when a front passenger uses a plugged-in device or touches certain metal seat hardware. Subaru dealers replace the Occupant Control Unit for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Subaru Impreza is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Impreza is included in recall 15V419. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the Occupant Control Unit replacement. Reference recall number 15V419 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Subaru to repair this defect at no cost to the owner. A franchised Subaru dealer will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified unit free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the front passenger air bag turns off when a passenger is seated there. If the Occupant Detection System deactivates, the passenger air bag will not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant.
What if I bought my 2012 Subaru Impreza used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Impreza is included, then call a Subaru dealer with recall number 15V419 or Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V419000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V419 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V419000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →