Subaru Forester, Subaru Crosstrek, model years 2026. Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. and reported to NHTSA on 19 October 2026. 8 vehicles potentially affected.
What the notice says 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.
Is your vehicle included? Check with your VIN at NHTSA, or ask a dealer. This page is an independent copy of the notice, kept so you can see what changed after it was published. It is not the authority, and the authority’s own text is the one to act on.
NHTSA says do not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. Contact a dealer about towing.
Subaru's own number for this recall: WRI26. That is the number on the owner letter and on the dealer paperwork. 26V685 is the number NHTSA gave the same campaign, and the number this page is filed under. They are one recall, written two ways.
What owners ask about this recall
- Which vehicles does recall 26V685 cover?
- Subaru Forester, Subaru Crosstrek, model years 2026.
- What is wrong with them?
- 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.
- What can happen if it is not put right?
- A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Is there a fix yet?
- Yes, and it is free. 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.
- What should I do now?
- Check your own vehicle by its VIN with NHTSA, which is the record to act on. Subaru calls this recall WRI26, which is the number on the owner letter and the dealer paperwork.
Answered from the register this site holds. NHTSA is the record to act on.
affected
in the notice
caught
| Campaign | 26V685 |
|---|---|
| Filed by | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| System at fault | Suspension |
| Reported to NHTSA | 19 October 2026 |
| Model years | 2026 |
| Vehicles named | SUBARU FORESTER, SUBARU CROSSTREK |
What the notice says today
The defect
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.
The consequence
A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What it said before
Nothing has changed while we have been watching. We first read this campaign on 22 October 2026 and last read it on 22 October 2026.
The copy we hold today hashes to feabbc15eb5a369983b1e63f68b4abf3…, so if it is ever edited the change is provable rather than a matter of memory.
Last checked . No change has been recorded in the wording.
Official record: NHTSA campaign 26V685. Every Subaru campaign we hold: Subaru recalls.
Owners of these cars
No register publishes what happens after the letter. Owners do: tell us, in two taps.
Anonymous: no account, no cookie, nothing you type is stored beyond these choices. Figures appear once 3 owners have answered, and are published with the record under CC BY 4.0.