NHTSA (USA)Critical
The 2012 Subaru WRX has 11 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to anyone in the vehicle.
Recalls 2 through 9 all describe the same underlying Takata airbag inflator defect. These filings cover different vehicle populations and prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the issue, but the physical danger is the same across all of them: in a crash, the inflator can explode rather than deploy normally, scattering metal fragments toward the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants. This is one of the most serious defects in automotive recall history, and the risk is well established.
Also at the highest severity level is an ignition switch concern. A small spring inside the switch can break, weakening the switch mechanism enough that the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving. If that happens, the airbags may not deploy in a crash because the system loses power at the moment it is needed most. This recall only affects vehicles where a replacement ignition switch was installed, not necessarily the original factory switch.
On the brake side, the hydraulic brake lines can corrode over time to the point where brake fluid leaks out. As fluid level drops, braking performance degrades, and the vehicle takes longer to slow or stop than the driver expects. A separate recall covers the brake light switch, which can fail and leave the brake lights dark when the pedal is pressed, giving drivers behind the car no warning that it is slowing down.
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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 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 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
Contaminants can damage the brake light switch, stopping brake lights from working and preventing some vehicles from starting or shifting out of Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake light switch 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 explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
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 can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator 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 explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front 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 during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front 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 front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake lines can corrode from salt water splashing through a gap in the fuel tank protector, affecting the four-way joint connector area.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
