FREQUENT BATTERY DRAINING AND SOMETIMES NOT RECHARGING WHEN DRIVING. WHILE TURNED OFF IN THE GARAGE BATTERY WILL DRAIN IN AS LITTLE AS 9 DAYS. HAVE TO KEEP IT ON A TRICKLE CHARGE WHEN NOT IN USE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO START IT. NO MODERN CAR SHOULD LEAVE YOU STRANDED. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE PURCHASE IN 2016.
2016 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Outback years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
351 reports with mileage · 292 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 309 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
309 reportsMOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ONCE OPENED. DEALER QUOTED $1400 REPAIR COST. DEALER SUGGESTED DISABLING THE MOON ROOF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO MOONROOFS OVER TIME. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH MOON ROOFS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. IS THIS A SUBARU DEFE…
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MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ONCE OPENED. DEALER QUOTED $1400 REPAIR COST. DEALER SUGGESTED DISABLING THE MOON ROOF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO MOONROOFS OVER TIME. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH MOON ROOFS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. IS THIS A SUBARU DEFECT?
FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH SUBARU AMERICA AFTER MY AUTOMOBILE'S BATTERY DIED FOR THE 4TH TIME.I HAVE APPROX. 21,000 ON THE CAR WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2016. THE BATTERY DIES WHEN THE CAR SITS OVERNIGHT (IT IS GARAGED EVERY NIGHT). I KNOW THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS CLAIMING THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERWHELMS THE BATTE…
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FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH SUBARU AMERICA AFTER MY AUTOMOBILE'S BATTERY DIED FOR THE 4TH TIME.I HAVE APPROX. 21,000 ON THE CAR WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2016. THE BATTERY DIES WHEN THE CAR SITS OVERNIGHT (IT IS GARAGED EVERY NIGHT). I KNOW THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS CLAIMING THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERWHELMS THE BATTERY THUS CAUSING IT TO GO DEAD. I BOUGHT THE CAR KNOWING THAT MY PREVIOUS SUBARU'S HAVE BEEN VERY RELIABLE. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THE 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK.
MY BATTERY DRAINS QUICKLY WHEN I HAVE THE CAR OFF AND THE HATCH OPEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2016.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE BATTERY FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BATTERY CHARGER WAS CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. COLONIAL SUBARU (89 NEWTOWN RD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE BATTERY FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BATTERY CHARGER WAS CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. COLONIAL SUBARU (89 NEWTOWN RD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WERE TWO CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR THE BATTERY FAILURE FROM A NEWS ARTICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,238. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STATED THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *JS
BATTERY WILL NOT KEEP CHARGE WHILE PARKED. FULLY DEPLETES WITHOUT WARNING. WILL NOT START. WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH FOB. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. MULTIPLE CHARGINGS WERE TEMPORARY ONLY
BATTERY DRAINS EXCESSIVELY FAST. IF NOT DRIVEN FREQUENTLY FOR LONGER DISTANCES BATTERY DIES.
BATTERY NEEDED CHARGE REPEATEDLY THEN DIED ABOUT YEAR 3. WE REPLACED WITH LARGER800 AMP BATTERY. BUT AT 2 YEAR IT STARTS FAILING THE SAME. BATTERY TESTS OK AND ALTERNATOR TESTS OK AND NO LIGHTS OR DOORS LEFT OPEN. BUT WHENEVER CAR IS NOT DRIVEN AT LEAST AN HOUR WITHOUT STOPPING IT LOSES ABOUT .1 VOLT PER DAY -WHEN DRIVEN JUS…
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BATTERY NEEDED CHARGE REPEATEDLY THEN DIED ABOUT YEAR 3. WE REPLACED WITH LARGER800 AMP BATTERY. BUT AT 2 YEAR IT STARTS FAILING THE SAME. BATTERY TESTS OK AND ALTERNATOR TESTS OK AND NO LIGHTS OR DOORS LEFT OPEN. BUT WHENEVER CAR IS NOT DRIVEN AT LEAST AN HOUR WITHOUT STOPPING IT LOSES ABOUT .1 VOLT PER DAY -WHEN DRIVEN JUST SHORTER DISTANCES. TESTING DAILY WITH MULTIMETER ETER CONFIRMS THIS RATE. CAR REQUIRES CONSTANT BATTERY MINDER ATTACHED AT NIGHT. TOOK IT TO ADVANCE AUTO TODAY AND THEY CONFIRM WITH TEST NO BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM EXISTS!
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED BY THE SIMPLE ACT OF LOADING THE CAR FOR A TRIP OVER THE COURSE OF ONE DAY. TWICE DURING THE FIRST YEAR WE FOUND THE BATTERY INEXPLICABLY DEAD. WE REPLACED THE OEM WITH A NEW BATTERY 13 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THIS NEW, MORE POWERFUL BATTERY ALSO IS ALSO FOUND INEXPLICABLY DRAI…
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WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED BY THE SIMPLE ACT OF LOADING THE CAR FOR A TRIP OVER THE COURSE OF ONE DAY. TWICE DURING THE FIRST YEAR WE FOUND THE BATTERY INEXPLICABLY DEAD. WE REPLACED THE OEM WITH A NEW BATTERY 13 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THIS NEW, MORE POWERFUL BATTERY ALSO IS ALSO FOUND INEXPLICABLY DRAINED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER ROUTINE SHORT TRIPS. FOR FOUR YEARS WE'VE BEEN FORCED TO MONITOR AND TRICKLE CHARGE THE BATTERY TO KEEP THE CAR USABLE. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE FOR A NEW CAR.
THE BATTERY DRAINED AFTER A SHORT DRIVE WHEN ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE NEXT BATTERY AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR. EACH TIME THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMPED AND THE BATTERY TESTED BAD. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED A 2RD TIME WITH A BATTERY KESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD.
Official recalls
419V910000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
Dec 19, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
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.
15V794000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Nov 24, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
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:automatic Transmission
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: 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:driveline:driveshaft
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: 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.
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
1EA21002 · 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
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.
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.
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