2026 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

The 2026 Subaru Forester has 4 recalls and 35 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Do not drive warning. NHTSA and the manufacturer advise owners not to drive affected vehicles until the recall repair is done. Affected campaign: 26V685000.

How the 2026 compares

Lowest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Lowest complaint count among 27 Forester model years — 26th most. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.

4recalls

35complaints

0crashes

0fires

2injuries

6,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

4 recalls

Suspension

Oct 19, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V685000 · 8 vehicles

Do not drive

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.

Risk: A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 16, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRI26.

Equipment

Jul 7, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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

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 were mailed August 27, 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.

Visibility

May 28, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V346000 · 69,663 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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.

Structure

Dec 18, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V889000 · 5,603 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System9

Forward Collision Avoidance8

Unknown or other7

Lane Departure1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2026 vs. other Subaru Forester years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2026. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2026 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2026 Subaru Forester, the latest from Oct 19, 2026 (suspension). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Forester?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (9), forward collision avoidance (8), visibility (8). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.

Is it safe to drive the 2026 Subaru Forester?

1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" advisory. Only vehicles with the recall open are affected — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.