Recall 18V014 covers six 2009 Subaru models with defective passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 72,150 2009 Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, and Wrx vehicles in recall 18V014 because passenger frontal air bag inflators can explode after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. If the air bag deploys in a crash, sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator module in affected 2009 Subaru vehicles sits inside the passenger air bag assembly. In a crash that calls for deployment, the inflator is supposed to burn its propellant in a controlled way and fill the passenger air bag so it can cushion the occupant.
These vehicles use certain Takata non-desiccated passenger-side inflators with Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate propellant. Over long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling, the propellant wafers degrade. When the air bag deploys, degraded propellant can burn too aggressively, creating excessive pressure inside the inflator. That pressure can rupture the inflator body and cause the inflator to explode during deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the inflator, so the air bag light or normal driving feel does not give an owner a reliable warning before the passenger air bag deploys.
Who's affected?
Covers 6 Subaru model lines from the 2009 model year, all tied to the same 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 |
| 2009 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| Units affected | 72,150 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, or Wrx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free passenger front air bag inflator replacement.
- Mention recall number 18V014 and Subaru recall TKC-18 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one, and ask the dealer to confirm parts availability before your appointment.
- Limit front passenger use until the repair is complete, because an inflator rupture can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin during air bag deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator covered by recall 18V014. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. Subaru's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for a related front passenger air bag inflator repair before the recall work. Bring repair invoices and payment documentation to the Subaru service desk so the claim can be handled through that plan.
| 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 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 23, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V014?
Recall 18V014 covers 72,150 2009 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, and Wrx vehicles sold or ever registered in specified states. The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into occupants. Subaru dealers replace the inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2009 Subaru Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, Outback, or Wrx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V014. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V014 or Subaru recall TKC-18 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Subaru dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is serious injury or death from an exploding passenger frontal air bag inflator. In a crash that deploys the passenger air bag, the inflator can rupture and send sharp metal fragments toward the front passenger, driver, or other occupants.
What if I bought my Subaru used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2009 Subaru is included, then contact a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall 18V014 or Subaru recall TKC-18.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V014000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V014 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V014000 |
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 →