Karmactive Team
Is your Subaru safe to drive this week? For some owners, the answer is no, until a repair is finished. Four separate Subaru recalls now sit in the federal safety record, and only one of them tells owners to stop driving. Start with the one that carries the warning, then check the others against your car.
The Subaru Crosstrek and Forester recall that carries the warning is recall WRI26. It covers certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles, and Subaru of America is the manufacturer. The NHTSA recall record says the castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened. That can let the ball joint separate from the control arm. A separated ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly as necessary. The repair is free. Owner notification letters are expected in the mail on 16 December 2026. Subaru customer service can be reached at 1-844-373-6614.
If you own a 2026 Crosstrek or Forester covered by recall WRI26, do not drive it until the repair is done. The left-front ball joint can separate from the lower control arm and cause a loss of vehicle control. That raises the risk of a crash. Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the remedy is completed. Subaru customer service can be reached at 1-844-373-6614.
Which Subaru recall applies to you.
Three other Subaru campaigns sit in the same record, and each is a separate problem with its own fix. Recall WRH-26 covers certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025 and 2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019 to 2026 Ascent vehicles. The certification label may show an incorrect gross axle weight rating, which can lead to an overloaded vehicle. Subaru will mail a new label free of charge, or a dealer can install one. Letters went out on 27 August 2026.
Recall WRF-26 covers certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel in the power moonroof may not be bonded properly, so it can detach and become a road hazard. Dealers will inspect it and replace the glass panel if needed, free of charge. Letters were mailed on 6 July 2026.
Recall WRG-25 covers certain 2026 Forester vehicles. The rear hatch support bracket may be incorrect or wrongly oriented, and it can detach without warning. The hatch can then fall unexpectedly during use. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket free of charge. Letters were mailed on 29 January 2026.
Only WRI26 carries the do-not-drive advice.
Should I stop driving my Subaru? It depends on which campaign covers your vehicle. For the 2026 Crosstrek and Forester ball-joint recall, WRI26, the answer is yes. Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the remedy is completed. None of the other three campaigns carries that advice, although all four remedies are free of charge. Owner letters for WRI26 are expected on 16 December 2026.
Four Subaru recalls are in the federal record, but only one tells owners not to drive. If your 2026 Crosstrek or Forester is covered by WRI26, stop driving it until the repair is finished. Check the other three campaigns against your model year and vehicle type. Every remedy in the record is free. Subaru customer service can be reached at 1-844-373-6614.
