2026 Subaru Forester

The defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

The risk

An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 541,237 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.

The risk

A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 69,663 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.

The risk

A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.

The remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 5,603 vehicles across all model years covered

At approximately 500 miles from delivery, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure caused by a malfunctioning PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve, which resulted in oil fumes being expelled through the exhaust system. This is a manufacturing/component defect that should not occur in a new vehicle at such low mileage, and I have serious and reasonable concerns that oil contamination may have affected the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and/or other emissions and engine components, regardless of whether the PCV valve itself has since been replaced. I want to be clear about the severity of this incident, as it is directly relevant to the safety concerns underlying …

NHTSA complaint 11767052, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I am reporting a severe structural vulnerability regarding the component shielding on the 2026 Subaru Forester Touring. The vehicle was purchased brand new in March 2026 and experienced a catastrophic component failure on September 4, 2026, at only six months of ownership. While driving under normal road conditions, the vehicle’s climate control system completely failed. A subsequent inspection by an authorized Subaru dealership revealed that a rock passed entirely through the front factory grille and punctured the air conditioning condenser, causing an immediate loss of refrigerant and irreparable component damage. The dealership service department stated that this occurs frequently due to …

NHTSA complaint 11764412, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I was pulling into a handicapped parking spot at the grocery store, turning right into it, and was almost stopped, with my right foot on the brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at top speed, surging over the median strip, flattening the "Handicapped Parking" sign, and racing ahead into the street beyond. I drove forward and turned left back into the parking lot and parked the car. The flattened parking lot sign ripped the front panels off the car. I went into the grocery store and asked if we needed to call the police, and they said no, and that they would replace the sign. The two store managers helped m by putting the ripped off front, plastic panels into the back seat and …

NHTSA complaint 11763914, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

While the vehicle was stationary and off, the rear windshield shattered and fell in the vehicle for the second time in just over 3 weeks.

NHTSA complaint 11762577. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

"My 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is subject to safety recall Campaign 26V346000 for moonroof adhesive failure. A yellow chemical fluid leaked out from the driver's side moonroof seal assembly and ran down the body panel, burning completely through the factory clear coat down to bare metal. While the fluid is not actively dripping at this exact moment, Landers McLarty Subaru explicitly documented on Invoice #401063: 'YELLOW FLUID COMING OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE OF SUNROOF CAUSING DAMAGED TO PAINT.' Despite this permanent written diagnosis from their own dealer network, Subaru of America is denying all liability and refusing to repair the vehicle, leaving the sheet metal exposed to rapid …

NHTSA complaint 11761974, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

When I am driving forward, or turning, sometimes the car automatically beeps very loud and puts on the breaks and the car in front of me is far away. It’s stressful and problematic. It doesn’t seem like an effective feature. This has happened like 10 times

NHTSA complaint 11758790. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.