WASHINGTON — Subaru is recalling nearly 119,000 Outback and Legacy vehicles because of an issue that could prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
The recall from the Japanese automaker covers around 103,114 Outback vehicles and 15,609 Legacy vehicles in the 2020-2022 model year, according to documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
Subaru said the issue relates to a capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System, which may crack and short circuit. That can then prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying and increasing the risk of injury to someone in that seat.
No injuries have been reported, but the company said its received 253 warranty claims related to this problem.
Subaru told the agency it plans to mail letters to owners of the recalled vehicles on May 21 to inform them of the safety risk. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Dealers will replace the faulty sensors, free of charge.
The Subaru issue isn't the only recent recall linked to air bag problems.
Last week, Stellantis announced it would be recalling nearly 318,000 Dodge and Chrysler sedans worldwide because the side air bag inflators can explode with too much force and hurl metal fragments at drivers and passengers.
The recall covers air bag inflators on both sides of certain Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 large cars from the 2018 through 2021 model years. The automaker says in documents posted Friday by U.S. safety regulators that moisture may get into the inflators due to a manufacturing defect and cause corrosion and cracks. The air bags can inflate even without a crash due to high temperatures in the cabin, the company said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.