(NewsSpace.com) – Subaru is well-touted for its safety and reliability, with the vehicles lasting longer than many others on the road. However, the cars aren’t infallible and sometimes, there are defects that need addressing. To that end, the manufacturer has issued a recall involving more than 110,000 cars due to a potential safety issue.
On March 22, Subaru issued a safety recall report for a potentially defective Occupant Detection System (ODS) on the front passenger seat. This sensor detects when someone is sitting in the seat as opposed to being empty. If someone is sitting there and there is a crash, that sensor would then result in the deployment of the safety airbag. Failure to deploy could result in more serious injuries if the problem is not treated. The sensor issue can cause the airbag warning lamp and a message saying “front passenger’s front airbag OFF indicator” to light up
In its report, Subaru notes that the problem stems from a possible production issue. It highlights that the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) may have become “deformed, causing a crack to form in a capacitor.” That crack could result in moisture “enter[ing] the capacitor over time and result in a short circuit.”
The vehicles singled out in the recall notice include 103,114 Subaru Outback SUVs, model years between 2020 and 2022. The report also indicates approximately 15,609 model-year 2020–2022 4-door Legacy sedans have the same issue.
From January 2021 through February 2024, Subaru said it received nearly two dozen technical reports, which sparked a return part investigation with Aisin Electronics Illinois, LLC, its supplier. The supplier also submitted an equipment recall notice to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, there were 253 warranty claims made because of the issue, though there have been no reports of any injuries as a result.
Anyone who has one of the above vehicles can take it to a local dealer to replace the part. Letters will be mailed out to owners in May.
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