Subaru Announces Recall of Over 118,000 Vehicles for Critical Airbag Deployment Issue

Subaru has initiated a recall for more than 118,000 of its vehicles in the United States, targeting certain Outback and Legacy models manufactured between 2020 and 2022. This action comes in response to concerns identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the vehicles’ Occupant Detection System (ODS). A flaw within the system’s capacitor could cause it to crack and short circuit, potentially disabling the front passenger airbag from deploying in the event of a crash. To address this safety risk, Subaru dealers are set to replace the faulty sensors at no cost to the vehicle owners, who will be notified about the recall through two rounds of letters starting May 21.

This recall is part of a wider trend of vehicle recalls affecting the automotive industry. Notably, Stellantis recently recalled approximately 286,000 vehicles over side airbag inflator concerns, while General Motors recalled about 820,000 pickups due to tailgate malfunctions. Furthermore, a Carfax report highlighted an alarming increase in vehicles on the road subject to "park outside" recalls, with a 40% rise since May 2023, emphasizing the ongoing challenges manufacturers face in ensuring vehicle safety.