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
24,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A&T SUBARU (801 BETHLEHEM PIKE, SELLERSVILLE, PA 18960). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE FINISH OF THE FACEPLATE ON THE DASHBOARD, IT CAUSED THE SUN TO REFLECT OFF THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA ODI #11071767
11,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Unknown Or OtherCrash
IN FEBRUARY 2017 WE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 6 OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT WE MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE ACCELERATION. WE KNOW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, BUT WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME IN JULY. TH…
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IN FEBRUARY 2017 WE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 6 OCCASIONS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT WE MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE ACCELERATION. WE KNOW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, BUT WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME IN JULY. THE REALLY BAD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 IN A PARKING GARAGE. AS WE WERE EXITING THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. THIS TIME, WE HIT A CONCRETE PILLAR ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND GRAZED ONE PARKED VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING THE CAR TO STOP. ALSO, THIS TIME, AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT SET FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, WE TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SEVERELY REV. EVERY TIME THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED, WE WERE EITHER STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IN TRAFFIC, IN A PARKING LOT, OR AT A GAS PUMP OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY WITH OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS ONE WOULD IN A PARKING LOT WHEN TURNING INTO OR OUT OF A SPACE. SUBARU AGAIN TOLD US THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SUGGESTED THAT WE MUST BE TWO FOOTED DRIVERS, WHICH WE ARE NOT. WE HAVE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR OR TAKE REPOSSESSION OF IT. SUBARU MADE US GET THE BODY OF THE CAR REPAIRED BEFORE THEIR ENGINEERS EVEN LOOKED AT IT. THIS WAS A LEASED CAR. SUBARU SAID WE HAD TO CONTINUE TO PAY OFF THE LEASE BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WE KNOW THEY ARE WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11062302
36 miles · Dec 9, 2017
Power Train
RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES. NOW THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES. BOTH SITUATIONS OCCURRED WHEN UNUSUAL NOISES WERE HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP MAKING THE REPAIRS AND SUBARU OF AMERICA HAVE …
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RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES. NOW THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES. BOTH SITUATIONS OCCURRED WHEN UNUSUAL NOISES WERE HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP MAKING THE REPAIRS AND SUBARU OF AMERICA HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR WHY BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11053638
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2017
Power TrainStructureVisibility/wiper
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, GAS CAP DOES NOT CLOSE/OPEN PROPERLY AND "STICKS." CONSTANT BUZZING SOUND FROM WINDOWS EVEN AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED AND THE MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MOONROOF WILL CLOSE AND THEN OPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11047675
32,371 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Visibility/wiper
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRED ON 8/24/17 AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR TSB WITH CRACK STARTING FROM THE DEICER. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEWLY REPLACED WINDOW CRACKED ONCE AGAIN ON 9/19/17. THIS TIME DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT EVEN A MONTH OL…
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FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRED ON 8/24/17 AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR TSB WITH CRACK STARTING FROM THE DEICER. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEWLY REPLACED WINDOW CRACKED ONCE AGAIN ON 9/19/17. THIS TIME DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT EVEN A MONTH OLD, INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE COSTS. OEM IS ONLY OPTION FOR GLASS WITH THE EYE-SIGHT SYSTEM. EYE-SIGHT ALSO REQUIRES CALIBRATION BY DEALERSHIP WHEN GLASS IS REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SRS SYSTEM WHEN AN AIRBAG DEPLOYS. USING SUCH FRAGILE GLASS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HIGH CONSUMER COST WHEN SUBARU ONLY COVERS THE FIRST INCIDENT. MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT (LUONG V. SUBARU 4:17-CV-03160-YGR).
NHTSA ODI #11029938
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CONCERNING TAKATA AIRBAGS IN SUBARUS. I MUST DECIDE IF I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS CLAIM. AT THIS TIME, MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I WANT THIS TAKATA AIRBAG REMOVED FROM MY CAR! I PURCHASED THIS 2015 CAR FROM THE DEALER (USED) IN 2016. SUBARU KNEW THEY WERE SELLING…
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TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CONCERNING TAKATA AIRBAGS IN SUBARUS. I MUST DECIDE IF I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS CLAIM. AT THIS TIME, MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I WANT THIS TAKATA AIRBAG REMOVED FROM MY CAR! I PURCHASED THIS 2015 CAR FROM THE DEALER (USED) IN 2016. SUBARU KNEW THEY WERE SELLING A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER CONCERNING RECALL/REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11022452
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2017
Air Bags
"TAKATA RECALL" AWAITING RECALL AND REPLACEMENT INFO FROM DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11021171
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL -- RECEIVED NOTICE ~ AUGUST 12 OF SETTLEMENT IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING SUBARU MANUFACTURED AND SOLD VEHICLES THAT CONTAINED ALLEGEDLY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS MADE BY TAKATA. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE NOTICE SUGGESTED A RECALL MAY BE ISSUED.
NHTSA ODI #11015462
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2017
Power Train
JUST GOT A NOTICE THAT SUBARU IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE CVT FOR THIS CAR AND MY SECOND SUBARU (2014 OUTBACK 4S4BRBLC0E3307363). CALLED THEM TO ASK WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CARS HAVE NEEDED THIS REPAIR SO I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT KEEP OR DISPOSING OF MY SUBARUS. THEY TOLD ME "WE DO NOT HAVE ANY DATA ON # OF REPAIRS"…
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JUST GOT A NOTICE THAT SUBARU IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE CVT FOR THIS CAR AND MY SECOND SUBARU (2014 OUTBACK 4S4BRBLC0E3307363). CALLED THEM TO ASK WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CARS HAVE NEEDED THIS REPAIR SO I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT KEEP OR DISPOSING OF MY SUBARUS. THEY TOLD ME "WE DO NOT HAVE ANY DATA ON # OF REPAIRS" AND SAID THEY JUST DID IT AS A COURTESY TO CUSTOMERS. SOUNDS LIKE A LOAD OF BUNK TO ME. I THINK THAT I AM ENTITLED TO THIS DATA TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AND ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE IN COMPELLING SUBARU TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WITH OWNERS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11014007
39,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
Unknown Or Other
STARLINK MULTIMEDIA FEATURES/SCREEN IS TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED DURING DAYLIGHT DRIVING AND THE SUN IS REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE SCREEN DISPLAYS SQUIGGLY LINES ON A GRAY/BLACK SCREEN UNTIL SUN IS NOT REFLECTING. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS WHEN THIS IS HAPPING THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS NOT VISIBLE AN…
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STARLINK MULTIMEDIA FEATURES/SCREEN IS TOTALLY OBSTRUCTED DURING DAYLIGHT DRIVING AND THE SUN IS REFLECTED OFF THE FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE SCREEN DISPLAYS SQUIGGLY LINES ON A GRAY/BLACK SCREEN UNTIL SUN IS NOT REFLECTING. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS WHEN THIS IS HAPPING THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS NOT VISIBLE AND WHILE DRIVING A QUICK GLANCE TURNS INTO A LONG LOOK TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DISPLAYED!
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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