Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
1725–50K
850–75K
975–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
104 reports with mileage · 55 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
159 reports
10,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Visibility/wiper
WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR IN THE AFTERNOON, NOTICED A HUGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD STARTING BETWEEN THE WIPER BLADES AND GOING TO THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO HAVE CAUSED THIS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE OPEN ON A DAY WHERE TEMPERATURES WERE MILD. LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS IN THE SUBARU FORU…
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WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR IN THE AFTERNOON, NOTICED A HUGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD STARTING BETWEEN THE WIPER BLADES AND GOING TO THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO HAVE CAUSED THIS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE OPEN ON A DAY WHERE TEMPERATURES WERE MILD. LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS IN THE SUBARU FORUMS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SUBARU LEGACY AND OUTBACK WHICH SHARE THE SAME PLATFORM. THE ISSUES DISCUSSED MATCHES MY SPECIFIC CASE. SUBARU SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO PERFORM A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10724419
20 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Power Train
MY 2015 SUBARU LEGACY HAS A VERY ABRUPT THROTTLE TIP-IN (THE MANNER IN WHICH POWER IS DELIVERED UPON DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL). PUSH THE THROTTLE A LITTLE AND NOTHING HAPPENS AND THEN A LITTLE MORE AND IT TAKES OFF LIKE A SHOT! NOT SAFE WHEN PULLING INTO TIGHT PARKING SPACES. I CALLED MY SUBARU DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS CAUS…
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MY 2015 SUBARU LEGACY HAS A VERY ABRUPT THROTTLE TIP-IN (THE MANNER IN WHICH POWER IS DELIVERED UPON DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL). PUSH THE THROTTLE A LITTLE AND NOTHING HAPPENS AND THEN A LITTLE MORE AND IT TAKES OFF LIKE A SHOT! NOT SAFE WHEN PULLING INTO TIGHT PARKING SPACES. I CALLED MY SUBARU DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT IS CAUSED BY THE CVT TRANSMISSION DESIGN. SUBARU NEEDS TO REDUCE THE ABRUPTNESS OF THE THROTTLE TIP-IN FOR SAFE OPERATION. THIS IS UNSAFE AND SCARY IN TIGHT PARKING SITUATIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10723943
5,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Visibility/wiper
SUDDEN LOUD CRACKING SOUND WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE. NOW THERE IS A 3 FOOT WINDING CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING STRIKING THE GLASS. REPLACEMENT NOT AVAILABLE FOR 6 WEEKS. DEALER ADVISES 500 WINDSHIELDS ON BACKORDER FOR 2015 LEGACY.
NHTSA ODI #10723097
2,500 miles · May 27, 2015
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS DUE TO STRESS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
NHTSA ODI #10721683
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE GAS LID WOULDN'T OPEN WHEN THE LEVER WAS PULLED. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR IT TO GET FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10717904
500 miles · May 14, 2015
Unknown Or Other
JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR (2015 SUBARU LEGACY PREMIUM) A MONTH AGO. AM GETTING WATER INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM MERELY CAR WASHING AND I ASSUME FROM RAIN AS WELL. THIS IS DUE FROM THE LACK OF PROPER WEATHER STRIPPING ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. MY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ADVISED AND I AM AWAITING TO HEAR IF A…
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JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR (2015 SUBARU LEGACY PREMIUM) A MONTH AGO. AM GETTING WATER INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM MERELY CAR WASHING AND I ASSUME FROM RAIN AS WELL. THIS IS DUE FROM THE LACK OF PROPER WEATHER STRIPPING ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. MY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ADVISED AND I AM AWAITING TO HEAR IF ANY RESOLUTION. THE FOLLOWING WAS LISTED ON A WEBSITE FROM ANOTHER CURRENT OWNER: 2015 LEGACY - WATER / SNOW ENTERING TOP OF ENGINE BAY & BURNING SMELL HI FELLOW 2015 LEGACY OWNERS. HAS ANYONE ELSE DISCOVERED THIS DESIGN / SAFETY / MECHANICAL DEFECT YET? I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST USA; OWNED MY 2015 LEGACY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS, AND HAVE BEEN SMELLING THE ENGINE BURNING SINCE I PURCHASED. AT FIRST, THE DEALER SAID THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY THE RUSTPROOFING SPRAYED ON THE EXHAUST, HOWEVER DURING A SNOW STORM I DISCOVERED SNOW & WATER ENTERING THE TOP OF MY ENGINE BAY, DRENCHING / FLOODING OVER ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL COMPONENTS AND CAUSING THE TOXIC BURNING SMELL FROM THE BURN OFF OF DEICING CHEMICALS / SALTS USED ON ROAD SURFACES ENTERING THE ENGINE BAY DUE TO A LACK OF WEATHER STRIPPING. MY DEALER INSPECTED MY CAR LAST WEEK AND CONFIRMED THE LACK OF INSTALLED WEATHER STRIPPING AND WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE BAY AS AN ISSUE. THEY CONFIRMED ALL 2015 LEGACYS ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. THEY SUBMITTED A EQMR (ELECTRONIC QUALITY MONITORING REPORT) TO SUBARU OF AMERICA; NO RESPONSE YET. (THE DEALER SENDS THE EQMR TO SUBARU WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER AN ISSUE THAT THEY CANNOT FIX) I AM SHARING THIS VIDEO TO ALERT ALL 2015 LEGACY OWNERS TO THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY & MECHANICAL DEFECT. CHECK YOUR ENGINES; CONDUCT YOUR OWN WATER/SNOW TESTS AND SHARE RESULTS. CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA, YOUR DEALER AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
NHTSA ODI #10716439
2,200 miles · May 14, 2015
Visibility/wiper
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW SUBARU LEGACY OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE GLASS IS ON BACKORDER SO REPAIRS MAY BE SEVERAL WEEKS OUT. SOME OF THE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED MORE THAN ONE CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON THE SAME NEW VEHICL…
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CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW SUBARU LEGACY OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE GLASS IS ON BACKORDER SO REPAIRS MAY BE SEVERAL WEEKS OUT. SOME OF THE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED MORE THAN ONE CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON THE SAME NEW VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10716388
300 miles · May 13, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
AT 300 MILES, COMING OFF HIGHWAY, SLOWED DOWN TO 5 MPH AND WENT THRU TOLL BOOTH. I THEN STEPPED ON GAS, HAD HESITATION, NO RESPONSE THEN ACCELERATION. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 5/11/15 WHEN I HAD 900 MILES. CAME OFF HIGHWAY ON TO LOCAL STREETS. THIS TIME HAD 5-7 BIG HESITATIONS OVER 10 MINUTE PERIOD. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS MAKIN…
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AT 300 MILES, COMING OFF HIGHWAY, SLOWED DOWN TO 5 MPH AND WENT THRU TOLL BOOTH. I THEN STEPPED ON GAS, HAD HESITATION, NO RESPONSE THEN ACCELERATION. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 5/11/15 WHEN I HAD 900 MILES. CAME OFF HIGHWAY ON TO LOCAL STREETS. THIS TIME HAD 5-7 BIG HESITATIONS OVER 10 MINUTE PERIOD. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS MAKING A U-TURN AND CAR HESITATED THEN ACCELERATED AS I WAS MAKING U-TURN !! RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10716292
12,412 miles · May 11, 2015
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityUnknown Or Other
I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL RECALL PROBLEM WITH EYESIGHT-EQUIPPED 2015 LEGACY MODELS. I TOOK MY CAR IN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO BECAUSE ONE DAY ALL OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT (FLASHING RED) ON THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE, THE EYESIGHT AND THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND THE CHECK…
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I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL RECALL PROBLEM WITH EYESIGHT-EQUIPPED 2015 LEGACY MODELS. I TOOK MY CAR IN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO BECAUSE ONE DAY ALL OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT (FLASHING RED) ON THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE, THE EYESIGHT AND THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT, AND THE LANE DEPARTURE LIGHT ON THE TACHOMETER. I STOPPED DRIVING IT FOR TWO DAYS WHILE I WAITED FOR MY SERVICE APPOINTMENT DAY TO ARRIVE. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON WHEN I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT MY CAR FOR A DAY AND SAID THAT THE LIGHTS MUST HAVE COME ON AS AN "ATTENTION GETTING DEVICE" TO ALERT ME THAT THE CAR WAS ABOUT A QUART LOW ON OIL (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT QUITE YET TIME FOR MY 6 MONTH/6,000 MILE OIL CHANGE). AFTER GETTING THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE, I DROVE THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. ALL OF THE LIGHTS MENTIONED ABOVE CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHEN I STARTED IT AND PULLED OUT OF MY GARAGE. BASED ON MY LAST EXPERIENCE, I DROVE THE CAR ANYWAY. LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN CAME ON AND STAYED ON, EXCEPT THAT THIS TIME THE BRAKE AND THE ABS LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT CRUISE CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED FEATURES (LANE DEPARTURE, ETC.) DO NOT WORK WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE ON. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR WITH THESE LIGHTS ON ALL DAY SATURDAY (INCLUDING SEVERAL COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS FOLLOWED BY RESTARTS AN HOUR OR TWO LATER), THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED THE NEXT DAY, JUST AS IT DID LAST MONTH. I TOOK PICTURES OF MY DASH BOTH TIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON THIS PAST WEEKEND. I CAN SUPPLY THEM ON REQUEST. IT HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW WEEKS AND 1000 MILES OR SO SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE, SO I THINK WE CAN RULE OUT THAT EXPLANATION.
NHTSA ODI #10715800
4,400 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, WATER STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, WATER STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400. ..UPDATED 06-18-15 *BF UPDATED 10/3/2017*CN
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
2015 Subaru Legacy Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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