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Campaign 20V003 Posted January 2, 2020 111,562 units

2003-2014 Subaru Multi-Model Recall 20V003: Air Bag

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Recall 20V003 covers 111,562 2003-2014 Subaru and Saab vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.

Subaru is recalling 111,562 2003-2014 Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, 9-2X, Wrx, and Forester vehicles after prior passenger frontal air bag inflator repairs used inflators of the same design. Long-term humidity and temperature cycling can degrade the propellant, and an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into occupants; Subaru dealers will complete the free repair.

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What's wrong?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module on affected 2003-2014 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, Wrx, Forester, and Saab 9-2X vehicles. In a crash that deploys the passenger air bag, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and fill the air bag fast enough to cushion the passenger.

These vehicles previously received replacement Takata inflators of the same design. The propellant inside those inflators breaks down after long exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes. When the air bag deploys, degraded propellant burns too aggressively, builds excessive pressure inside the inflator, and can rupture the inflator body instead of inflating the bag normally.

There is no warning sign before failure. The driver will not get a dashboard light, noise, smell, or change in air bag behavior that shows the inflator propellant has degraded.

Who's affected?

Spans the 2003-2014 model years across Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, 9-2X, Wrx, and Forester, all tied to the 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 affected111,562
Field incidentsNHTSA 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 can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, striking the driver or passengers and causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the inflator replacement promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2014 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, 9-2X, Wrx, or Forester is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free passenger air bag inflator replacement that removes the inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
  3. Bring the recall notice if you have it, or reference recall number 20V003 when you call.
  4. Call Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 with questions about scheduling or owner notice status.
  5. Avoid using the front passenger seat until the inflator replacement is complete.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 20V003. Subaru's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for the same inflator repair. Keep your repair order and payment documentation, then contact Subaru customer service or the Saab Customer Assistance Center to ask how to submit the claim before the dealer visit.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

January 2, 2020 NHTSA published the recall
January 7, 2020 Owner notification mailed
January 7, 2020 Dealer notification began
January 7, 2020 Dealer notification ended
January 7, 2020 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 20V003?

Recall 20V003 covers 111,562 2003-2014 Subaru and Saab vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall. The inflators can explode after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature cycling, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin.

What should I do if my 2003-2014 Subaru Outback, Baja, Impreza, Legacy, 9-2X, Wrx, or Forester is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V003. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule passenger air bag inflator replacement. Saab 9-2X owners can contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator free of charge, and Subaru lists TKC-20 as its internal number for this recall.

What is the safety risk in recall 20V003?

The safety risk is serious injury or death from an exploding passenger air bag inflator. If the inflator ruptures, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants. The repair path is replacement of the passenger air bag inflator at no charge.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 20V003 when you call the dealer service desk.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V003000
Subaru customer service1-844-373-6614
NHTSA recall #20V003
NHTSA recall # (full)20V003000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →