Subaru of America will be issuing a voluntary recall on certain Legacy sedans and Outback utilities for the same issue. Due to a manufacturing fault, the propellant mixture used for the air bag initiator component may not be up to snuff. In the event of an accident where the side curtain air bags would be called upon, the output of compressed gas needed for deployment would not be sufficient enough. The end result: the air bags simply would not deploy.
At this point in time, there are just 381 vehicles at risk according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Subaru is looking into both 2012 model year Legacy and Outback models manufactured from December 1 through December 23, 2011. The recall is expected to begin with owner notification before or during April 2012. In order to play it safe, both of the side curtain air bag systems will be inspected and replaced if needed. The remedy will occur at no extra cost to owners.
Source: NHTSA
