Shoddy Airbags Force Subaru to Recall 119,000 Vehicles

Subaru is calling back some 119,000 Outback and Legacy vehicles whose airbags may not work.

The problem is with front passenger airbag sensors that may short circuit, Subaru recently told federal vehicle safety regulators. That would prevent the crucial safety devices from deploying the event of an accident.

“If the short circuit occurs, the SRS airbag system warning lamp will illuminate, front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator will illuminate,” Subaru said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The front passenger airbag may not deploy in certain crashes as designed, increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in the seat.”

The recall covers certain Outback sport utility vehicles and Legacy sedans from model years 2020 through 2022. The cars were produced between June 2020 and July 2021, Subaru told NHTSA.

The company said it had received more than 250 warranty claims related to the defect. It is not aware of any accidents or injuries stemming from the problem, however.

Subaru said a supplier was to blame for the issue.

“There is a possibility that, during the production process in a specific period at a certain supplier, the ODS Sensor Printed Circuit Board (PCB) became deformed, causing a crack to form in a capacitor, which can allow moisture to enter the capacitor over time and result in a short circuit,” Subaru told NHTSA.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by the end of May. Subaru drivers can also check NHTSA’s website to see if their vehicles are covered by the recall.

Owners will be asked to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair.

“Subaru dealers will replace all (four) of the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat with new ones,” the company said. It will also reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses for repairs related to the defect, it said.  

Know Your California Lemon Law Rights

This is far from the first time Subaru has had to call back cars over serious safety issues.

The company said last year, for example, that it was recalling some 35,000 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles that could short circuit and lose power unexpectedly.

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they cannot or simply decline to fix. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.