OEM Linking Pin: Subaru Clarifies Airbag Replacement

As part of the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) initiative's OEM linking pin activity, we are helping to connect the collision repair industry to the vehicle makers. Recently we had a technical inquiry that asked, "Do you have to replace a front passenger airbag on a Subaru even if only the driver's airbag deployed? The repair information seems to indicate that it should."

After a review of the repair information it was found that there was confusing and potentially conflicting information. Depending on how the repair information was interpreted, it could mean as: if the front driver airbag deployed, then the front passenger airbag must also be replaced. It also could be read as: only the deployed restraints. Either scenario could be interpreted as correct by the way the repair information was written.

So I-CAR reached out to Subaru and received the following response "No, both airbags do not need to be replaced if just one deploys. The one that deployed would need replacement only." By getting this clarifying information the repair to the supplemental restraints system (SRS) was able to be completed following the vehicle maker repair information, helping to ensure that if the vehicle is in another collision the supplemental restraints system (SRS) will function as designed.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
How Does the I-CAR OEM Linking Pin Process Work?