Recall 19V009 covers 452,630 2010-2014 Subaru vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 452,630 2010-2014 Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, B9 Tribeca, and Wrx vehicles under recall 19V009 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment after propellant degradation. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Subaru dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator module in the 2010-2014 Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, B9 Tribeca, and Wrx is the small metal device that fills the passenger air bag during a crash. When the crash sensors call for deployment, the inflator burns propellant and sends gas into the air bag so it cushions the front passenger.
The recalled inflators use Takata non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. Non-desiccated means the inflator does not include a drying agent to control moisture inside the unit. After long exposure to humidity and temperature cycling, the propellant wafers degrade. If the air bag deploys, that degraded propellant burns too aggressively, raises pressure inside the inflator, and ruptures the inflator body.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light, the way the vehicle drives, and the passenger air bag cover do not tell you whether this inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
Spans seven Subaru models across the 2010-2014 model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 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 |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
| 2011 Subaru Impreza | front air bag |
| 2011 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2012 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2012 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
| 2013 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2013 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2011 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2012 Subaru B9 Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | front air bag |
| 2013 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2014 Subaru Legacy | front air bag |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | front air bag |
| 2014 Subaru Tribeca | front air bag |
| 2014 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| 2013 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| 2011 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| 2010 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| 2012 Subaru Wrx | front air bag |
| Units affected | 452,630 |
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?
If the passenger frontal air bag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the inflator replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, B9 Tribeca, or Wrx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that addresses the explosion risk during air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V009 when you call.
- Call Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 with questions about scheduling or dealer availability.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator covered by recall 19V009. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor, and the remedy has been available since January 25, 2019. This repair addresses the inflator inside the passenger frontal air bag module, the part that deploys during a crash. If you've already paid for an inflator-related repair, contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 and ask how to submit documentation under Subaru's standard reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 10, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 1, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V009?
Recall 19V009 covers 452,630 2010-2014 Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, B9 Tribeca, and Wrx vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Subaru dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Subaru Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Tribeca, B9 Tribeca, or Wrx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Subaru is included in recall 19V009. If it is, call a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the free passenger air bag inflator replacement. Reference Subaru recall TKC-19 when you schedule.
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 front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during a crash that deploys the air bag. Sharp metal fragments can strike the front seat passenger, driver, or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. The repair path is the free inflator replacement at a Subaru dealer.
What if I bought my Subaru used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner's purchase history. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall 19V009 or Subaru recall TKC-19 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V009000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V009 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V009000 |
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 →