2026 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Complaints
NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester, and what to keep if your vehicle keeps going back to the shop.
Recall campaigns
4
NHTSA owner complaints as of November 6, 2026, from NHTSA's complaint data files.
35
Data last refreshed (Eastern time)
November 6, 2026
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2026 Forester and 35 owner complaints; the most-reported component in owner complaints is electrical system, with 8 reports.
Counts come from NHTSA records for this model year and refresh daily. Complaints are unverified owner reports; one complaint can name more than one component.
Top Reported Problems
Owner complaints grouped by NHTSA component (top 8). Linked components open a page comparing models for that problem.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING6
- VISIBILITY/WIPER6
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS4
- STRUCTURE:BODY4
- POWER TRAIN2
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
2026 Forester Recall Records
Campaigns can apply only to specific configurations and production dates. Confirm whether your VIN is affected with NHTSA or the manufacturer.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · 26V685000
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.
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 26V436000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · 26V346000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 25V889000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.
2026 Forester Service Bulletins
A service bulletin is a manufacturer's repair instruction to dealers. It is not a recall and does not by itself establish a defect or a claim.
Manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA for this model year, newest first. A bulletin may apply only to certain configurations. Source data refreshes daily.
| Number | Date | Component | Summary | NHTSA record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRI-26 | Oct 26, 2026 | SUSPENSION | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2026 model year Crosstrek and Forester vehicles due to an improperly tightened left-hand front lower c… | 11039394 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (T | Oct 26, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN | This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration - CVT Diag. | 11039384 |
| 18-247-26 | Oct 23, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This Service Information Bulletin announces Service Manual updates for the diagnosis of hands-free calling and voice recognition concerns. | 11039393 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (S | Oct 22, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This announcement provides information on the connected services platform for Subaru EVs. | 11039385 |
| 15-304-22R | Oct 20, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an rev… | 11039388 |
| 15-344-26 | Oct 20, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE | This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles. | 11039387 |
| 12-269-25R | Oct 20, 2026 | STRUCTURE:BODY | This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original bu… | 11039360 |
| 18-246-26 | Oct 15, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This Bulletin procedure announces a revised diagnostic procedure for DTC B28A6 INTERNAL STEREO CAMERA COMMUNICATION. | 11039374 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (S | Oct 15, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE | This announcement provides information on an outage affecting the Subaru Select Monitor 5 application. | 11039370 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (Q | Oct 15, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This announcement provides information on DCM replacememts due to a parasitic draw. | 11039369 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (W | Oct 15, 2026 | SUSPENSION | This announcement provides information regarding the Safety Recall WRI-26 for certain 2026 model year Crosstrek and Forester vehicles due to an improperly tightened left-hand fr… | 11039368 |
| 19-06-26 | Oct 12, 2026 | POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This bulletin announces that reprogramming files are available for the Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module. | 11039366 |
| 16-154-25R | Oct 9, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the o… | 11039363 |
| 16-152-26 | Oct 9, 2026 | POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This Service Information Bulletin announces the availability of ThreeBond 1216J (SOA868V9640) designed for the following transmission applications: TR690, TH58A, TH2A, TH2B and… | 11039362 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (T | Oct 5, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This announcement provides information on the TechShare & NorthStar Intergration - CVT Diag. Tool & Warranty Eligibility. | 11039357 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (M | Oct 5, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines. | 11037943 |
| 15-333-25R | Oct 1, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the o… | 11039354 |
| SubaruNet Announcement (T | Sep 28, 2026 | POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application. | 11037942 |
| 13-109-26 | Sep 18, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles. | 11037940 |
| 18-244-26 | Sep 18, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit" | 11037938 |
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Build Your Forester Repair File
- Dated repair orders with mileage and diagnosis
- Whether the same symptom returned after the repair
- Days unavailable, rental bills and dealer correspondence
- Purchase or lease contract and warranty documents
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