2021-2022 Subaru Outback Passenger Air Bag Recall (24V227)
Subaru of America, Inc. · 118,723 vehicles · Reported March 22, 2024
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling 118,723 2021-2022 Subaru Legacy; 2021-2022 Subaru Outback vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V227 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V227000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | WRA-24 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 22, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Subaru Legacy; 2021-2022 Subaru Outback |
| Units affected | 118,723 |
| Component | Air Bags > Sensor > Occupant Classification > Front Passenger |
| Safety risk | An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Subaru Outback in recall 24V227?
A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Outback with recall 24V227?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the front passenger.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V227?
Recall 24V227 covers 118,723 vehicles: 2021-2022 Subaru Legacy; 2021-2022 Subaru Outback.
NHTSA lists 118,723 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Subaru | Legacy |
| 2021-2022 | Subaru | Outback |
What is the fix for the Outback passenger air bag recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
When was recall 24V227 announced?
Subaru of America, Inc. reported recall 24V227 to NHTSA on March 22, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 22, 2024 | Subaru of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V227000. |
This recall was filed 30 months ago. If your Outback was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Outback is part of recall 24V227?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V227 is open on your Outback, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2022 Outback vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Outback owners do about recall 24V227?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 24V227000 applies to your Outback.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Subaru dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any front passenger symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Outback owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 823 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 30 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 24V227 was reported on March 22, 2024, owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the air bags and were received on or after March 22, 2024, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related air bags issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 823 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 30 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Subaru Outback: 463 complaints in total, 6 about the air bags
- 2021 Subaru Outback: 296 complaints in total, 16 about the air bags
- 2022 Subaru Legacy: 33 complaints in total, 2 about the air bags
- 2021 Subaru Legacy: 31 complaints in total, 6 about the air bags
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2021 Subaru Outback owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11637683, filed January 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an audible chime while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat.
2021 Subaru Outback owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11638838, filed January 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2021 Subaru Outback owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11645573, filed February 28, 2025
Can recall 24V227 make my Outback a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 24V227000 does not automatically make your Outback a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
An air bag warning light that keeps coming back after a recall repair is worth documenting. Air bag defects are safety defects, and California law can require fewer repair attempts for them.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2022 Subaru Outback has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Outback been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Subaru Outback recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 24V227
Did the recall 24V227 fix work?
Since recall 24V227 was reported on March 22, 2024, owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 24V227000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Outback is part of recall 24V227000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 24V227000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.