The problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. Note: This notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16V-358 for Zone A.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 16V-359 (16V359000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | TKB-16 |
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module |
| Report date | May 25, 2016 |
| Owners notified | August 24, 2016 |
| Vehicles affected | 146,010 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
- 2006 Saab 9-2X airbag problems 8
- 2003 Subaru Baja airbag problems 5
- 2004 Subaru Baja airbag problems 2
- 2005 Subaru Baja airbag problems 7
- 2006 Subaru Baja airbag problems 3
- 2006 Subaru Impreza airbag problems 20
- 2007 Subaru Impreza airbag problems 27
- 2008 Subaru Impreza airbag problems 37
- 2003 Subaru Legacy airbag problems 16
- 2004 Subaru Legacy airbag problems 26
- 2003 Subaru Outback airbag problems 19
- 2004 Subaru Outback airbag problems 25
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 16V-359 repair free?
Yes. Saab dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 146,010 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.