A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles because the castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened. This defect can cause the ball joint to separate from the control arm while driving, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair is completed. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1657923-subaru-forester-2026-recall-suspension.
“Subaru 2026 Forester Recall: Ball Joint Failure Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 22, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1657923-subaru-forester-2026-recall-suspension. Based on NHTSA recall #26V685000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V685000).
Subaru of America, Inc. recalled 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles for a suspension defect that can cause the ball joint to separate from the lower control arm, increasing crash risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall on October 19, 2026. Dealers will inspect and replace the assembly free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Subaru Crosstrek, 2026
Subaru Forester, 2026
What to do
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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
The hazard
A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to this separation.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Subaru of America, Inc. has 101 other recalls on record since March 18, 2010. Other recent recalls include the Subaru Forester 2025 Recall regarding an incorrect GAWR label (July 7, 2026), the Subaru 2026 Forester Moonroof Glass Recall (May 28, 2026), and the Subaru Forester Hybrid (2025) Fuel Leak Fire Risk recall (Feb. 23, 2026). NHTSA has received 9 owner complaints for the 2026 Crosstrek and 29 for the 2026 Forester as of October 19, 2026. Other recent recalls of similar products include the Honda 2026 Passport Suspension Recall (July 1, 2026), the Ford Bronco Sport 2026 Suspension Recall (May 27, 2026), and the Aston Martin DBX707 (2025) Suspension Recall (March 30, 2026).
How to tell if you have this one
This recall applies to certain 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. You will receive an owner notification letter expected to be mailed on December 16, 2026. If you own one of these models, contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or reference recall number WRI26.
Brand
Subaru
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Stop driving the vehicle
Do not drive your vehicle until the remedy is completed to avoid the risk of losing control.
Wait for notification letter
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on December 16, 2026.
December 16, 2026
Contact Subaru customer service
Call 1-844-373-6614 for assistance or to verify your vehicle's status under recall number WRI26.
Visit a dealer for repair
Dealers will inspect and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly as necessary, free of charge.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
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.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
GovInfoNow listed this recall 3 days after the agency date.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Added to GovInfoNow
3Owner letters expected (expected, per the notice)
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3.6:35b-a3b on October 22, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.