Subaru is recalling 73,698 model year 2010 Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle’s steering wheel may develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this were to happen, certain electrical components may not operate as intended. Possible circuits affected are the driver’s frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions, increasing the risk of a crash.

One interesting aspect of this air bag safety recall is that Subaru first received notification about this problem back on October 1, 2009, about 9 months before announcing this recall.  Apparently, internal grease within the steering wheel roll connector (sometimes called a clockspring) can chemically degrade the internal flat ribbon which is used to carry electrical current to several steering wheel-mounted devices, including the driver air bag.

The safety recall is expected to begin on or before July 1, 2010. 10V-283. Subaru has internally designated this recall with the number WVR-28.