The 2006 Subaru Legacy has 7 recalls, the most serious being a defective front passenger airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Recalls 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 all describe the same underlying Takata airbag inflator defect, where the passenger-side frontal airbag can rupture violently rather than inflate normally. Prior repair attempts have not fully resolved the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for this single problem. There is also a brake line concern affecting vehicles registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states, where road salt causes the steel brake lines to corrode and eventually leak fluid, increasing stopping distances. On the electrical side, vehicles where the ignition switch was previously replaced with a specific aftermarket-style part may have a weakened switch that can allow the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, and if a crash follows, the airbags may not deploy.
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 ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
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
Salt water can splash onto brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, causing excessive corrosion that may lead to brake fluid leakage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect brake lines. If no leakage is found, the area will be treated with anti-corrosion wax. If leakage is found, brake lines will be replaced and treated with anti-corrosion wax.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
