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Subaru Structure Recalls Cover Body Welds and Rear Hatch Supports
Subaru’s structure notices focus on body strength in certain 2019 vehicles and rear hatch support in certain 2026 Foresters. Two notices concern spot welds: the 2019 Ascent may lack welds on or around the B-pillar, while the 2019 Legacy and Outback may have improperly applied welds on the duct below the cowl panel. Both describe reduced protection in a crash, with different remedies depending on the vehicle and inspection findings. The 2026 Forester notice instead concerns an incorrect or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket that can detach without prior warning, allowing the hatch to fall unexpectedly during use.
Warning signs to watch for
- WRG-25 Forester rear hatch support bracket recall: the rear hatch can fall unexpectedly during use, and bracket detachment can occur without prior warning.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
The August 2018 notice for missing B-pillar spot welds on certain 2019 Ascent vehicles does not tell owners to stop driving. The June 2019 notice for body welds below the cowl panel on certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles also does not tell owners to stop driving. The December 2025 notice, WRG-25, for rear hatch support brackets on certain 2026 Foresters does not tell owners to stop driving. These notices contain no park-outside instruction.
What the free repair involves
For the 2019 Ascent, dealers inspect for missing spot welds; vehicles with missing welds are replaced free of charge. WUH-93 provides inspection and repair or repurchase as necessary, free of charge, for affected 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. WRG-25 provides free rear hatch bracket inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the stay and support bracket.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Where owners report structure problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under structure for the Subaru models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Structure complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 27 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 4 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | Subaru Forester Rear Hatch Support Bracket May Detach | high |
| Jun 26, 2019 | Subaru Legacy and Outback Body Weld Issue | high |
| Aug 2, 2018 | Subaru Ascent may be missing body spot welds | high |
Common questions
Could Subaru replace my Ascent because of missing body welds?
The August 2018 notice for certain 2019 Ascent vehicles specifies an inspection for missing spot welds. If welds are missing, the vehicle will be replaced free of charge. The notice identifies welds on or around the B-pillar.
What remedy does Subaru offer for the Legacy and Outback body weld recall?
WUH-93 covers certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles with potentially improperly applied spot welds on the duct below the cowl panel. The notice provides dealer inspection and repair or repurchase as necessary, free of charge.
Does the Forester hatch bracket recall describe an advance warning?
WRG-25 says the rear hatch support bracket on certain 2026 Foresters can detach without prior warning. Detachment can allow the hatch to fall unexpectedly during use. Dealers inspect the brackets and replace the stay and support bracket if necessary, free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.