The 2004 Subaru Baja has 7 recalls, all concerning the same critical defect: the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death.
All seven recalls address the same underlying Takata airbag inflator issue on the front passenger side. When the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explosively rupture rather than inflate the bag normally, scattering sharp metal fragments toward anyone seated in the front passenger seat or nearby. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple separate campaigns exist for this vehicle. Some filings specifically target vehicles originally sold or registered in colder, higher-humidity states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, and similar climates, where environmental conditions accelerate the inflator's deterioration. Regardless of where the vehicle currently lives, any 2004 Baja with an unrepaired passenger airbag inflator carries this risk every time the vehicle is in a collision serious enough to trigger the airbag. The remedy in each case is replacement of the passenger frontal airbag inflator module.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes in certain climate zones.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the propellant degrades after exposure to humidity and temperature changes over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can seep into the passenger side front air bag inflator. Over time, this causes the inflator to rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
