Recall 17V026 covers 69,529 2005-2009 Subaru Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, and Outback vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that rupture. Free Subaru dealer repair.
Subaru is recalling 69,529 2005-2009 Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, and Outback vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during a crash after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death, and Subaru dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger-side frontal air bag inflator in affected 2005-2009 Subaru Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, and Outback vehicles is the small pressure device inside the air bag module. In a crash that calls for the front air bags, the inflator is supposed to burn propellant in a controlled way so the passenger air bag fills quickly and cushions the occupant.
These vehicles use certain Takata non-desiccated inflators, which means the inflator does not contain a drying agent to help control moisture. Over time, exposure to humidity and temperature cycling can degrade the propellant inside. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the propellant can burn too aggressively and create excessive pressure inside the inflator. That pressure can rupture the inflator body instead of producing a normal air bag deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits hidden inside the air bag module, so the problem is not something an owner can hear, smell, or feel during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Spans six Subaru models across the 2005-2009 model years, all using the same passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2005 Subaru Baja | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2006 Subaru Baja | front air bag |
| 2006 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2007 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2008 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2008 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2006 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2007 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| Units affected | 69,529 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin and strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so treat this as a reason to schedule the passenger front air bag inflator replacement promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2009 Subaru Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, or Outback is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free passenger front air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator rupture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V026 and Subaru recall TKB-17 when you call.
- Ask Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 if you need help finding a dealer or confirming the repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the passenger front air bag inflator covered by recall 17V026. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a passenger air bag inflator repair tied to this recall, Subaru's general reimbursement plan is on file. Ask Subaru customer service or the dealer how to submit documented prior repair costs.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 6, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V026?
Recall 17V026 covers 69,529 2005-2009 Subaru Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, and Outback vehicles with passenger front air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Subaru dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2009 Subaru Baja, Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Tribeca, or Outback is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Subaru is included in recall 17V026. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the passenger front air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 17V026 or Subaru recall TKB-17 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Subaru dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V026?
The safety risk is an inflator rupture during a crash that deploys the front air bags. If the passenger front air bag inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants and cause serious injury or death. The repair replaces the affected inflator.
What if I bought my Subaru used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. If you bought the Subaru used or never received the March 6, 2017 recall notice, check your VIN and give the dealer recall number 17V026 or Subaru recall TKB-17.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V026000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V026 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V026000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →