Recall 18V013 covers 93,209 2009-2010 Subaru vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 93,209 2009-2010 Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, and Wrx vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Subaru dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in affected 2009-2010 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, and Wrx vehicles is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for the passenger air bag, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and inflate the bag in a controlled way.
On these Subaru vehicles, the Takata passenger inflator uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant without a drying agent. After long exposure to humidity and repeated heating and cooling, the propellant wafers degrade. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, combustion can become too aggressive and create excessive pressure inside the inflator body. Instead of inflating the bag normally, the inflator body can rupture.
The filing lists no owner warning sign for this defect. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Covers six Subaru nameplates across the 2009 and 2010 model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2009 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2009 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| Units affected | 93,209 |
| 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 explosion in the passenger frontal air bag module can send sharp metal fragments into the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure. Schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer how to limit passenger exposure until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, or Wrx is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag inflator replacement that removes the metal-fragment injury risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru sent one. If not, reference recall number 18V013 when you call.
- Use another seat for passengers until the inflator replacement is complete.
- Call Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator covered by recall 18V013. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. If you've paid out of pocket for this passenger air bag inflator repair, Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented expenses. Contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 and reference recall TKB-18 when you ask how to submit prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 9, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 9, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V013?
Recall 18V013 covers 93,209 2009-2010 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, and Wrx vehicles with passenger front air bag inflators that can explode during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature cycling. Subaru dealers replace the inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, or Wrx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V013. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the passenger front air bag inflator replacement. Reference Subaru recall number TKB-18 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy at no cost, and Subaru's remedy for campaign 18V013 is replacement of the passenger front air bag inflator free of charge at a franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sharp metal fragments from the passenger front air bag inflator striking the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants during a crash with air bag deployment. NHTSA campaign 18V013 identifies serious injury or death as the official consequence.
What if I bought my Subaru used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Subaru is included, especially if the vehicle was sold or ever registered in a state covered by recall 18V013.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V013000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V013 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V013000 |
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 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 →