The 2004 Subaru Legacy has 8 recalls, all rated at the highest severity level, with the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag issue accounts for seven of the eight recalls and represents the well-known Takata inflator defect. When the passenger frontal airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explode rather than inflate the bag normally, scattering sharp metal fragments toward anyone in the front or rear of the vehicle. Multiple recall campaigns cover this same inflator problem, with some filings targeting vehicles originally sold or registered in specific states where climate conditions affect the risk level. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why the campaigns were filed in successive waves. The remaining recall involves a loose or mispositioned fuel filler hose clamp, which can allow fuel to leak near the engine. If that leaking fuel contacts an ignition source, it can start a fire.
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.
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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 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.
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
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
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.
At a glance
What can fail
The clamp securing the fuel filler hose may be loose or misaligned, potentially allowing the hose to disconnect.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel filler hose clamp and tighten it as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
