The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Inadvertent air bag deployment can occur after undercarriage contact of the tow hooks with curbs, dips, speedbumps, potholes, etc.
The risk
Unexpected air bag deployment could result in personal injury.
The fix
Dealers will remove the front tow hooks.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-315 (98V315000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Component | Air bags |
| Report date | December 11, 1998 |
| Owners notified | June 1, 1999 |
| Vehicles affected | 95,673 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-315 repair free?
Yes. Subaru dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will remove the front tow hooks.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 95,673 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.