Takata Airbag Recall (WQR-53)
Subaru Canada has been advised by our parent company Fuji Heavy Industries that an earlier recall related to Takata passenger side airbag inflators issued in October 2014 has been expanded to include additional Subaru vehicles. This recall affects 11 auto manufacturers in North America, totalling 34 million vehicles worldwide. Total number of Subaru’s affected in Canada is estimated at 12,000.
Newly Affected Vehicles are:
- Certain 2004-2005 Impreza’s
- Certain 2004-2005 WRX & WRX STI
- Certain 2005-2008 Outback’s
Subaru Canada and Fuji Heavy Industries are currently identifying all newly affected vehicles, along with preparing replacement parts for all affected vehicles. Due to the large number of vehicles affected worldwide and each inflator being specific to each model and manufacturer, there are significant delays in preparing replacement parts.
Owners of affected vehicles should expect to be notified by mail within 60 days to advise if their vehicle is affected by the recall. Upon receipt of this initial notification letter, owners will be asked to avoid placing occupants in the front passenger seat. As replacement passenger airbag inflators become available, owners will receive a second letter advising them to make arrangements with their local Subaru Dealer to have the passenger airbag inflator replaced.
Subaru Canada will send the second notification letter based upon the age of the passenger airbag inflator installed in their vehicle, with the priority on vehicles equipped with the oldest passenger airbag inflators first.
Transport Canada has not received any complaints from Canadians alleging abnormal deployment of airbags supplied by Takata and is not aware of any related incidents in Canada. Auto manufacturers including Subaru Canada have also confirmed that no abnormal deployments of airbags supplied by Takata have occurred in Canada.
FAQ's
1. Which vehicles are affected?
- Certain 2004-2005 Impreza’s
- Certain 2005-2008 Outback’s
- Certain 2004-2005 Impreza WRX/STI
- Certain 2004-2005 Impreza WRX
2. How do I know if my vehicle is affected by the recall?
You will receive an Owner Notification letter by mail notifying you that your vehicle is affected by this recall, and a second letter advising you to contact your local Subaru Dealer to have the recall repairs performed.
You may also enter the VIN number of your vehicle in our affected vehicle lookup tool found here
Vehicle Lookup Tool
3. Where will the notification letters be sent?
Subaru Canada will use the latest information in our database attached to the Vehicle Identification Number of your vehicle. If you are not the original owner and you have not done so, please update your information via this link:
Update Owner Information
4. Why has the recall been issued?
On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
5. What is the correction?
An authorized Subaru dealership will replace the front passenger airbag inflator in all affected vehicles as parts become available with the priority focused on the age of the airbag inflator installed on their vehicle with the priority focused on vehicles
equipped with the oldest passenger airbag inflators first.
6. How long will I have to wait for parts?
Subaru Canada is working with the involved parties and part suppliers to coordinate parts availability. Unfortunately, the affected part is designed specifically for your vehicle and it is not possible to replace it with a different inflator. The part specifically designed for your vehicle will need to be used. We are working with our parent company Fuji Heavy Industries to address this issue as soon as possible. While we do not have an exact time frame available at this time more information should be available shortly and posted at the top of this page.
7. Is my vehicle safe to drive?
Canadian transportation authorities have indicated that you can keep driving your car. There have been no fatalities in Canada for any automotive manufacturer and no reported incidents in a Subaru worldwide to date.
Throughout our evaluation and other ongoing reporting systems Subaru has not been made aware of any passenger injuries related to this recall on Subaru vehicles. A front passenger being exposed to fragments from a fracturing inflator may exist only during deployment of the passenger side airbag as a result of a serious collision.
Until the passenger airbag inflator can be replaced we recommend to avoid placing occupants in the front passenger seat.
8. Should I ask the dealer to disable my air bag while I wait for the fix?
Unfortunately dealers are prohibited by law from disconnecting vehicle airbags. The risk of injury from an airbag not inflating during a severe accident far outweighs the risk of injury due to a faulty inflator (Based upon there being no reports of faulty inflators in Canada or a Subaru vehicle worldwide).
9. Who can I contact if i have further questions?