Recall 18V012000
NHTSA safety recall campaign 18V012000. Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 64,179 units potentially affected.
Risk Summary (Consequence)
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Defect Summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Key Dates
Affected Vehicles
Other SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
Recent campaigns from the same manufacturer (last 3 years)
Recent SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Recalls
| Campaign | Report Date | Component | Makes | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V106000 | Feb 23, 2026 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | SUBARU | 69,153 |
| 25V889000 | Dec 18, 2025 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | SUBARU | 5,603 |
| 25V419000 | Jun 19, 2025 | CHILD SEAT | SUBARU | 2,938 |
| 25V033000 | Jan 23, 2025 | WHEELS | SUBARU | 20,366 |
| 24V227000 | Mar 22, 2024 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | SUBARU | 118,723 |
| 23V754000 | Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | SUBARU | 4,701 |
| 23V755000 | Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | SUBARU | 95,830 |
| 23V723000 | Oct 26, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | SUBARU | 49 |
| 23V647000 | Sep 21, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | SUBARU | 4,311 |
| 23V609000 | Aug 31, 2023 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | SUBARU, TOYOTA | 8,915 |
Recalls Affecting the Same Makes
Campaigns touching SUBARU from other manufacturers (last 3 years)
Same-Make Recall Activity
| Campaign | Report Date | Manufacturer | Component | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V744000 | Oct 30, 2025 | TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | 1,024,407 |
| 25V577000 | Sep 4, 2025 | TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING | VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 94,320 |
Consumer Complaints Referencing This Campaign
NHTSA complaints whose narratives mention 18V012000
Referencing Complaints
| Complaint ID | Incident Date | Vehicle | Component | Narrative Snippet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1479122 | Jun 25, 2018 | 2013 SUBARU FORESTER | AIR BAGS | TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY MERGED INTO … |
How to Act on This Recall
- Owners: Contact your authorized dealer to schedule the remedy at no cost. Remedy is covered under 49 U.S.C. 30120.
- Fleets: Use the Fleet Recall Checker to scan your VIN list against this and other open campaigns.
- Looking up a specific VIN? Check VIN against NHTSA for open recalls on that vehicle.
- NHTSA contact: Vehicle Safety Hotline 1-888-327-4236.