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Campaign 16V358 Posted May 25, 2016 302,127 units

2003-2011 Subaru Multi-Model Recall 16V358: Air Bag Inflator

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 16V358 covers 302,127 2003-2011 Subaru vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.

Subaru is recalling 302,127 2003-2011 Outback, Baja, Legacy, Impreza, 9-2X, Forester, and Tribeca vehicles from Zone A states because passenger frontal air bag inflators can rupture after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. In a crash with air bag deployment, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Subaru dealers will replace the inflators free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger-side air bag module. In a crash, it burns propellant to create gas that fills the air bag so the bag cushions the passenger. The inflator has to build pressure quickly without breaking apart.

On affected 2003-2011 Subaru Outback, Baja, Legacy, Impreza, Forester, Tribeca, and 9-2X vehicles, the Takata inflator uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant without a drying agent. Long exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling can degrade that propellant. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, combustion can become too aggressive, pressure inside the inflator can rise too high, and the inflator body can rupture.

There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light does not tell you whether this inflator has degraded.

Who's affected?

The included vehicles span seven models from the 2003-2011 model years, with each one tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.

2003 Subaru Outback front air bag
2004 Subaru Outback front air bag
2005 Subaru Baja front air bag
2003 Subaru Baja front air bag
2004 Subaru Baja front air bag
Units affected302,127

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?

If the passenger frontal air bag inflator ruptures during deployment, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so use the VIN result, not symptoms, to decide whether this recall applies. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2011 Subaru Outback, Baja, Legacy, Impreza, 9-2X, Forester, or Tribeca is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Subaru or GM sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V358 when you call.
  4. Keep passengers out of the front passenger seat until the inflator replacement is complete.
  5. Call Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500 with questions about Subaru models; Saab 9-2X owners can ask the dealer about GM handling for this recall.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator covered by recall 16V358. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Subaru's general reimbursement plan is on file for this campaign. If you already paid for related passenger air bag inflator work before the recall repair, ask Subaru customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documentation for review under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

May 25, 2016 NHTSA published the recall
July 22, 2016 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 16V358?

Recall 16V358 covers 302,127 2003-2011 Subaru vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator for free.

What should I do if my 2003-2011 Subaru Outback, Baja, Legacy, Impreza, 9-2X, Forester, or Tribeca is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V358. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 16V358 and Subaru recall number TKA-16 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 16V358.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is inflator rupture during a crash that deploys the front air bags. If the passenger frontal air bag inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants and cause serious injury or death. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.

What if I bought this Subaru used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall number 16V358.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V358000
Subaru customer service1-856-488-8500
NHTSA recall #16V358
NHTSA recall # (full)16V358000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →