Subaru Crosstrek and Forester Front Suspension Joint May Separate

NHTSA campaign 26V685000 · Reported Oct 19, 2026 · Subaru of America, Inc.

critical How serious is it? About this label

The joint can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners are told to stop driving until the repair is completed.

⚠ NHTSA advises not driving this vehicle until it is repaired. See all such recalls.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	26V685000
Reported to NHTSA	Oct 19, 2026
Manufacturer	Subaru of America, Inc.
Part affected	Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2026
Do-not-drive advisory	Yes
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain Subaru Crosstrek and Forester vehicles may have an improperly secured nut on a joint in the left front suspension. The joint, called a ball joint, may separate from the lower suspension arm. Dealers will inspect the left front ball joint assembly and replace it if needed. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is completed.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact a Subaru dealer to arrange the free inspection and repair; Subaru customer service is available at 1-844-373-6614.
3. Do not drive the vehicle until the repair is completed.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 26V685000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2026 Subaru Crosstrek
2026 Subaru Forester

Who to contact

Subaru — official Subaru recall lookup

Customer service: 1-844-373-6614

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Which Subaru Suspension Recalls Tell Owners to Stop Driving? · all 4 Subaru recalls in this area

Other Subaru Forester recalls

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May 28, 2026Subaru Forester Moonroof Glass May Come Loosehigh
Dec 19, 2025Subaru Forester Rear Hatch Support Bracket May Detachhigh
Jun 19, 2025Subaru Forester Child Seat Anchor Bolts May Loosenmedium
Jan 23, 2025Subaru Forester Alloy Wheels May Be Improperly Attachedhigh
Nov 9, 2023Subaru Outback, Forester switch failure disables reverse lights, cameramedium

All 15 Forester recalls

Official notice

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Summary: 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.
Safety 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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.