2026 Subaru Forester
Recalled by Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicle recall
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicle safety recall
This is a vehicle safety recall issued through NHTSA. Safety recall repairs are made by dealers free of charge. You can check whether your specific vehicle is included by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued a safety recall covering 2026 Subaru Forester, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall was reported on October 19, 2026 and affects approximately 8 vehicles. It involves elevated levels of a heavy metal. Vehicle safety recall repairs are made by dealers free of charge.
Below is a plain-English summary of what was recalled, why it was recalled, how to tell whether you have the affected product, and what steps you can take. For the complete and most current details, you can view the NHTSA record linked further down this page.
What was recalled?
This recall covers 2026 Subaru Forester, with approximately 8 vehicles affected. The company behind the recall is Subaru of America, Inc., based in Nationwide. The NHTSA describes the product as: “2026 Subaru Forester; 2026 Subaru Crosstrek”
Why was 2026 Subaru Forester recalled?
According to the NHTSA, the stated reason for the recall is: “NHTSA advises owners: DO NOT DRIVE this vehicle until it is repaired (Park It order). 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 join….” In plain terms, this recall relates to elevated levels of a heavy metal.
Some recalls are issued when testing finds elevated levels of a heavy metal such as lead. Long-term exposure to certain heavy metals is a recognized health concern, particularly for young children. Regulators set limits and recall products that exceed them.
What should you do?
If you think you may have bought 2026 Subaru Forester, compare it against the product description and identifying codes (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 assem…) before using it. This recall is currently listed as ongoing.
Check whether your specific vehicle is included by entering your VIN (the 17-character number on your dashboard or door jamb) at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If it is, contact your dealer — safety recall repairs are performed free of charge. You can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
About this recall
This recall was distributed in United States. RecallRadar summarizes recall information from public NHTSA data to make it easier to understand. We are an independent service and are not affiliated with the NHTSA or any government agency, so please always refer to the official source for the authoritative record — and note the “last synced” date shown on this page, since recall details can change over time.
Who this recall affects
This recall matters most to young children and pregnant people. Lead exposure is a particular concern during early childhood development.
Distribution listed in the notice: United States.
What elevated levels of a heavy metal actually means
Some recalls are issued when testing finds elevated levels of a heavy metal such as lead. Long-term exposure to certain heavy metals is a recognized health concern, particularly for young children. Regulators set limits and recall products that exceed them.
In this case, the concern applies specifically to 2026 Subaru Forester from Subaru of America, Inc. — not to the wider category of products. Similar items from other brands aren't part of this recall.
How to check whether you have it
Your VIN is the 17-character number visible through the windshield on the driver's side dashboard, and on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb. It's also on your registration and insurance card.
Compare what you find against the identifying details in this recall: 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 custome
What to do if you already bought it
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included — recalls often cover only part of a model year.
If it is included, contact any authorized dealer to schedule the repair. Safety recall work is performed free of charge, whether or not you bought the vehicle new and regardless of warranty status.
If the notice above includes a "do not drive" or "park outside" warning, follow it until the repair is done. You can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Full recall details
- Status
- Ongoing
- Date reported
- October 19, 2026
- Recall started
- October 19, 2026
- Distributed in
- Nationwide
NHTSA advises owners: DO NOT DRIVE this vehicle until it is repaired (Park It order). 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.Show full text ▾
NHTSA advises owners: DO NOT DRIVE this vehicle until it is repaired (Park It order). 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. A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.What you can do
Check whether any product you have matches the description and codes above. If it does, stop using it and follow the instructions in the official recall notice. When in doubt, contact the company or your local health authority.
Quick answers
Why was 2026 Subaru Forester recalled?+
According to the NHTSA: NHTSA advises owners: DO NOT DRIVE this vehicle until it is repaired (Park It order).
How serious is this recall?+
Vehicle safety recall. This is a vehicle safety recall issued through NHTSA. Safety recall repairs are made by dealers free of charge. You can check whether your specific vehicle is included by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if I have 2026 Subaru Forester?+
Compare your product against the description and identifying codes on this page. If it matches, stop using it and follow the instructions in the official recall notice — this usually means returning it for a refund or discarding it. When in doubt, contact the company or your local health authority.
Opens the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data for this recall.
Recall number: NHTSA-26V685000. Information last synced from the NHTSA on October 22, 2026.