Takata Air Bag Recall for Subaru, Honda and others

TAKATA Air Bag recall:  My 2011 Subaru Outback has the Takata air bag recall issue, making it unsafe for anyone to sit in the front passenger seat.  I received a letter from Subaru instructing me not to let anyone ride in the seat until the air bag recall has been completed but due to the lack of available parts, the time frame for the repair is unknown.  I contacted the dealer and explained that this restriction makes my vehicle useless to me.  Yesterday, they provided me with a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD from Enterprise Rental to use until such time as my recall can be completed. The estimate for the time when parts will come in, varies from a few weeks to a few months. They didn't keep my Subaru and asked that I just park it until I hear from them.  The entire cost of the replacement car is being picked up by Subaru.  I have been told that Honda will do the same thing if requested by the car owner.  I thought this was worth sharing since the car manufacturers have not been forthcoming about this option.   

Note:My insurance agent also recommended that I suspend all coverage except comprehensive since the car will not be driven for an undetermined time period.   As he said "why pay the premium if you're not using the car  I have parked it in my garage and attached a battery tender.

my subaru is subject to the same recall - which explains why i've been storing a bunch of crap in my front seat when i drive.   

i heard from someone else that if you call subaru of america that they may be willing to offer a $1500 coupon off the purchase of a new subaru, against your lowest negotiated price with the dealer.  so i've been meaning to call them and get one as in feb i'll be back down to 3 cars and would be willing to get another new subie.  my airbag has been under recall for over a year and still no luck scheduling the airbag fix.  but overall i don't let others ride in my car with me anyways as its my fishing car.

My tundra is going in for the same thing next week

My experience was once I asked for a rental car, my airbag magically popped up in under two weeks after they had told me there wasn't even an airbag identified as a suitable replacement for my car.

I did opt for the rental, I guess they didn't like paying $50/day.

Got this letter for my 2006 also.

We got an 08 but since a rat chewed the airbag wire up there it's not armed. We didn't get a letter yet but wounded if the inactive bag and the airbag light being in will interfere with recall replacement ?

We got an 08 but since a rat chewed the airbag wire up there it's not armed. We didn't get a letter yet but wounded if the inactive bag and the airbag light being in will interfere with recall replacement ?

With Honda, the recall must be completed. With the airbag light on, the airbags will not deploy. Many of my customers have gone through there car insurance for rodent damage. Depending on which wiring harness, they can be pricey.

Alex

We got an 08 but since a rat chewed the airbag wire up there it's not armed. We didn't get a letter yet but wounded if the inactive bag and the airbag light being in will interfere with recall replacement ?

With Honda, the recall must be completed. With the airbag light on, the airbags will not deploy. Many of my customers have gone through there car insurance for rodent damage. Depending on which wiring harness, they can be pricey.

Alex

It's under the passenger seat I just missed a few when I made the repairs trunk won't lock and the back wiper won't work.

We got an 08 but since a rat chewed the airbag wire up there it's not armed. We didn't get a letter yet but wounded if the inactive bag and the airbag light being in will interfere with recall replacement ?

With Honda, the recall must be completed. With the airbag light on, the airbags will not deploy. Many of my customers have gone through there car insurance for rodent damage. Depending on which wiring harness, they can be pricey.

Alex

It's under the passenger seat I just missed a few when I made the repairs trunk won't lock and the back wiper won't work.

Most dealerships wont just repair a wire (wires ). Liability will not allow . THEY RECOMMEND ENTIRE HARNESS. I am not an electrician but it has something to due with resistance can be slightly off when just repairing a break in the wires.
 If you are considering to do the repair to the wires yourself as it seems as though you have tried but missed some connections, you will more than likely need a dealership to reinitialize the system. We initialize systems for independent shops but with a disclaimer.

DISCLAIMER. I do not recommend wire repair ( ONLY HARNESS ) especially on a airbag system that can possibly save your life !!

As I mentioned. Get your car insurance to cover it .

Alex