Visibility/wiper. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

510 reports

13,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015

Unknown Or Other

NOTICED A SMALL WINDSHIELD CRACK AND WAS TOLD IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. IT STAYED SMALL FOR A MONTH OR SO THEN SPREAD RAPIDLY WHEN WEATHER HEATED UP. I'VE HAD DINGS BEFORE IN PRIOR CARS' WINDSHIELDS, BUT NEVER A CRACK.

NHTSA ODI #10764422

6,000 miles · Sep 13, 2015

Unknown Or Other

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, MERELY AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT WHILE BEING WASHED. (I HAVE NEVER IN MY 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING CARS HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE IMPACT OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT!!!) THE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD ALMOST TO THE DRIVER SIDE. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION, I BELIEVE THE BUILT IN WINDSHIELD DE-ICER UNIT COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. IN THE EVENT AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR, THE WINDSHIELD COULD VERY WELL SHATTER AND CAUSE BODILY INJURY. A SUBARU OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMED VIA EMAIL THAT "IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE SEEN A HIGHER DEMAND FOR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT THAN WE USUALLY SEE. OUR PARTS DEPARTMENT IS WORKING HARD WITH RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS AVAILABILITY....WE HAVE ALSO UPDATED OUR PRODUCTION PROCESS TO IMPROVE THE DURABILITY OF OUR WINDSHIELDS." CLEARLY, THE SUBARU OUTBACK 2015 WINDSHIELDS HAVE A DEFECT, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED NEXT WEEK. ONLY TIME WILL WILL TELL HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST. IN FAIRNESS, THE SUBARU OF AMERICA REP HAS ASKED ME TO SEND A COPY OF THE REPLACEMENT RECEIPT TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP WITH THE COST. CONSIDERING SUBARU'S REPUTATION, MY HOPE IS THEY WILL ULTIMATELY REIMBURSE ME IN FULL.

NHTSA ODI #10763381

5,100 miles · Sep 10, 2015

Visibility/wiper

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NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON 8/27/15. IT EXTENDED FROM UNDER THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 18 INCHES LONG. I COULD NOT THINK OF AN OBJECT HAVING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THEN RECALLED DRIVING DOWN THE STREET EARLIER AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CHASIS, LIKE THE SOUND OF A ROCK FLYING UP FROM A TIRE AND HITTING UNDERNEATH. IN RETROSPECT THIS WAS PROBABLY WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. ONLINE RESEARCH I DID EARLIER SHOWED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE 2015 OUTBACKS CRACKING EASILY, MANY OF WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE OBJECTS HITTING THE CAR. I FOUND SEVERAL SITES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, WITH THE LINKS OF 1 BELOW. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND EXPLAINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. THEY INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT MY CRACK APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN OBJECT AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN HOW AN OBJECT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE HIT THE GLASS AND NOT DAMAGED THE WIPER, WHICH WAS FULLY INTACT. THEY SAID: "THE WIPER BLADE MUST HAVE BEEN MOVING WHEN A ROCK STRUCK WINDSHIELD". I SAID NO, THE WIPER BLADES HAVE NOT BEEN USED IN SEVERAL DAYS SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN RAINING. ALSO, AN INSURANCE APPRAISER LOOKED AT THE DAMAGED GLASS AND SAID THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN OBJECT HITTING IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, SINCE THE CRACK HE SAID WAS AN "INSIDE-OUT" CRACK BASED ON THE FEEL OF THE CRACK. A WARRANTY CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED BY THE DEALER TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. WITHIN 2-3 DAYS THE DECISION WAS MADE BY SOA TO COVER THE GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER HAD A NEW WINDSHIELD IN STOCK, HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE WINDSHIELD HAVING BEEN BACK ORDERED FOR WEEKS AT A TIME, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SUBARU/OUTBACK/2015/ACCESSORIES-EXTERIOR/VISIBILITY_WIPER.SHTML

NHTSA ODI #10762933

12,458 miles · Sep 7, 2015

Visibility/wiper

FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10761943

6,000 miles · Sep 5, 2015

Unknown Or Other

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED HORIZONTALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. IT WAS FINE WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE; THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CRACK WAS THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10761752

9,868 miles · Sep 4, 2015

Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperInjury

INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF THE MOUNTING WITH GLASS ATTACHED TO THE MOUNTING. THEIR WAS NO FORCEFUL MOVEMENT OR ADJUSTMENT BEING APPLIED TO THE MIRROR AT THE TIME, IT JUST CAME DOWN. DISTRACTING MY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10761638

7,652 miles · Sep 4, 2015

Unknown Or Other

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TRAVELING FROM KANSAS CITY MO TO PHOENIX WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACK WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE TRAVELING IN A LIGHT RAIN AND THERE WAS SOME VERY SMALL PEA GRAVEL BEING THROWN UP BY PASSING CARS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF CAR. THE CRACK CENTERED OVER THE PASSENGER WIPER ABOUT 4 INCHES UPWARD. THERE WAS NO STAR FORMATION. I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN CHANDLER AZ. I WAS TOLD BY THE GENERAL MANAGER THAT THERE WAS A BACK ORDER ON THE GLASS BUT TO WAIT UNTIL I RETURNED TO KANSAS CITY FOR REPAIR. DURING OUR DRIVE HOME I CALLED OUR INSURANCE, SUBARU (WHERE PURCHASED) AND GLASS COMPANY. I FOUND THAT GLASS ON MY OUTBACK WAS AT LEAST 6 WEEKS OUT. AFTER 6 WEEKS I WAS AGAIN TOLD THE GLASS REMAINS ON BACKORDER. IT WAS FINALLY REPLACED BY SAFELITE ON AUGUST 25TH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD, INSTALLATION, OR FIT? THANKS

NHTSA ODI #10761600

4,300 miles · Sep 1, 2015

Unknown Or Other

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I WAS AT WORK TODAY AND WHEN I LEFT I SAT IN THE OUTBACK FOR ABOUT 10 MIN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND MADE PHONE CALLS. WHEN I GOT READY TO TAKE OFF I HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED AROUND AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO PICK UP THE GRANDKIDS AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "HOW DID THE WINDSHIELD GET CRACKED? HE WAS RIGHT IT WAS CRACKED RIGHT AT THE REARVIEW MIRROR. I CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE SALES COMPANY AND THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO COME WHEN A SUBARU REP IS IN THE STORE AND HE WILL TELL WHETHER IT WAS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT, I WAS SITTING STILL AND IT JUST CRACKED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING, AND THERE ARE NO INDENTS WHERE IT WAS HIT.

NHTSA ODI #10760851

8,900 miles · Aug 31, 2015

Visibility/wiper

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THREE DAYS AGO, OUR NEW SUBARU OUTBACK (PURCHASED IN LATE FEBRUARY 2015) DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT THAT IS NOW OVER TWO FEET IN LENGTH. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE TOP EDGE, MID-WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND CIRCLES AROUND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BEFORE TAILING OFF A FOOT OR SO ABOVE THE BOTTOM EDGE, IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. NO OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, IT SIMPLY CRACKED. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD US THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, THAT NO AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL, AND QUOTED A PRICE OF $625 (BEFORE TAXES) FOR REPLACEMENT WITH SUBARU GLASS. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW SUBARU WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE IN THE US. AFTER HEARING THIS, WE WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS MODEL. NO WONDER THERE ARE SO FEW WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE! SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, WE HAVE NOTICED SIGNIFICANT ROAD NOISE INSIDE THE CABIN, EVEN WITH ALL WINDOWS TIGHTLY CLOSED. THIS, COUPLED WITH THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WE'VE SEEN ABOUT CRACKED WINDSHIELDS ON 2015 SUBARU OUTBACKS, LEADS US TO BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD RECALL THE MODEL, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10760316

7,100 miles · Aug 27, 2015

Visibility/wiper

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WE HAVE 7,100 MILES ON OUR NEW & VERY FIRST SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS PAST WEEK WE DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT BEGAN ON THE LOWER 4 INCHES / CENTER PORTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. YES, THERE IS A "VERY SMALL NICK" FROM WHERE IT BEGAN. BELIEVE ME, IT'S SMALLER THAN THE TOP OF A STRAIGHT PIN. THE CRACK STARTED OUT IN 2 DIRECTIONS AND OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS HAS GROWN TO 20 INCHES AND 11 INCHES RESPECTFULLY, AS OF TODAY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK (104 TOTAL 8/20/15 ) 65 OF THEM ARE ABOUT WINDSHIELDS CRACKING AT A VERY HIGH FREQUENCY RATE. PLUS, THE SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG WEB SITE HAS A LITANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS . IT'S TO THE POINT, THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS BACKORDER OF WINDSHIELDS FOR THE OUTBACK. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN CASES, WERE AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES / BRANDS FOR 2015. THERE ARE NONE TO BE FOUND! EXCEPT THE 2015 SUBARU LEGACY, 10 CURRENTLY , SAME TYPE OF WINDSHIELD. THAT WOULD MAKE IT AROUND 75 WINDSHIELD CRACKING COMPLAINTS TOTAL. SOMETHING OTHER THAN "BAD LUCK" IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE. SUBARU NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY TAKE THIS ISSUE TO THEIR ENGINEERING PEOPLE AND FIND IT'S ROOT CAUSE AND COVER A PROPER REPLACEMENT . I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE RUNNING OUT AND GETTING A REPLACEMENT UNTIL THIS WHOLE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED. AGAIN, THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS ARE CRACKING ALSO. SUBARU "PLEASE STEP UP" AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR REPUTATION AND THE SATISFACTION OF YOUR MANY CUSTOMERS, BOTH OLD AND NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10759757

Official recalls

16V292000 · Steering:column

May 11, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

16V251000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Apr 27, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.

15V502000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Aug 10, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.

15V366000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Jun 12, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V577000 · Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2014

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems

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