The 2004 Subaru Outback has 10 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture on deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue accounts for the majority of these recalls. Multiple filings cover the same core defect across different vehicle populations, including vehicles registered in high-humidity regions and those in colder, drier states. In every case, the danger is the same: when the passenger airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explode rather than inflate the bag properly, scattering metal fragments toward anyone in the front or rear of the cabin. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why the problem appears across several separate recall campaigns. If the inflator in this vehicle has not yet been replaced, this defect remains active.
Beyond the airbag issue, there are two other recalls to be aware of. Certain vehicles may have a loose or mispositioned fuel filler hose clamp, which can allow fuel to leak from the filler assembly. A fuel leak near ignition sources raises a fire risk, particularly near a hot exhaust or engine bay. There is also an electrical concern involving certain replacement ignition switches: if one of these switches was installed during a prior repair, it may allow the key to rotate out of the "on" position while the car is moving, cutting engine power without warning and disabling the airbag system at the same time, which compounds the injury risk in any resulting crash.
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.
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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 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
A replacement ignition switch may allow the key to turn out of the ON position while driving, causing the engine to shut off suddenly and potentially disabling the airbag system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed after you receive notification by mail.
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 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 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
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 passenger air bag inflator may rupture when deploying due to excessive internal pressure in high-humidity environments.
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 fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the fuel filler hose clamp and tighten it as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
