The most recent Subaru Takata airbag recall, which Kelly Blue Book reports has been an ongoing recall issue for the brand, is officially live. The problem with Takata airbags is an industry-wide concern. In fact, it has affected vehicles across the board––including Subaru.

A letter to owners of recalled Subaru vehicles

Subaru just published a letter to owners of the affected Subaru models on the Subaru website. The first line of the letter addresses the elephant in the room. This is a brand that stands for safety. Its reputation for delivering safe family vehicles is a huge part of the brand’s identity.

“Dear Owners,
Safety has been, and always will be, the driving force within every Subaru – from engineering to real-world results. It is one of the reasons you and your family have put trust in our brand, and we want to assure you that you’ve made the right choice.”

Subaru

It’s not surprising that Subaru’s corporate customer relations department chose to address the issue in this way. In fact, it’s easy to imagine the heartfelt video montage, a kind and reassuring voice reading the letter aloud. In the letter, it’s clear that Subaru wants owners of affected vehicles to understand that the problem is with the airbag unit. It does not necessarily diminish the integrity of the affected vehicles.

The recalled vehicles are having problems with airbag inflators supplied by Takata. In fact, Subaru calls this airbag inflator recall the “largest recall in automotive history.” In addition, the letter covers the fact that the recall only affects the passenger-side airbag inflator.

Takata airbag inflator recall

Subaru carefully addresses the issue in the letter. The Takata airbag inflator recall is a problem with the Takata airbag inflator itself. However, the brand still extends free repairs for the problem.

Subaru writes, “This recall only relates to the passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain Subaru vehicles and does not affect our driver-side front airbags, which were not equipped with a Takata inflator.” Here, is where the brand specifies that the issue is with the Takata airbag inflator.

The brand also gives instructions for how to deal with the issue until owners can get their vehicle for repairs. Subaru says, “if your vehicle requires this recall repair, we recommend that occupants not use the front-passenger seat until the repair has been performed.”

Subaru’s resolve

Marching to its own beat on the marketing drum, Subaru makes a promise. The brand “resolves” to work on the airbag inflator issues “until all affected Subaru vehicles have been repaired.

What does this mean? Subaru will notify owners of the open recalls. Owners of affected vehicles will schedule repair service at no cost with their local dealer. If Subaru owners want to learn more about their specific vehicle, Subaru suggests they lookup the VIN.

Keeping trust with owners of vehicles affected by the airbag inflator recall

However, there are supply issues. This recall affects so many vehicles in the industry. That may limit the airbag replacement availability as well as appointment openings. However, the brand reassures owners that the problem see resolution in a “timely” manner.

In fact, after reading through the letter and other reassurance on this recall update it’s easy to feel the brand cares. Care and trust are as much in the tone of this address to Subaru owners as in the commercials that give viewers the warm fuzzies as they watch families grow and dogs hit the road to join in the memory-making. Regardless of the NHTSA recall, Subaru still feels like a trustworthy brand, committed to righting the wrong and getting its customers safely back on the road.