Subaru is Recalling More Than 540,000 Ascent, Forester and Crosstrek Vehicles Because the Weight the Rear Axle Can Support was Calculated Incorrectly

The Subaru recall is huge and affects over 540,000 newer vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Subaru is recalling 2019-2026 Subaru Ascent SUVs, 2025-2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid and regular SUVs and 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrids. The problem concerns the Gross Axle Weight Rating or GAWR label that is printed and attached to the vehicle. The label refers to the weight that the back axle can support. This shouldn’t be confused with the other Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR label that is also displayed, usually on the vehicle’s door. The GVWR refers to the total weight that the vehicle can hold. After NHTSA told Subaru there was a problem with the labels, Subaru recalculated its figures and agreed to replace the labels. 

What Subaru Vehicles are Being Recalled

• 2019-2026 Subaru Ascents - 384,407
• 2025-2026 Subaru Forester Hybrids - 77,504
• 2025-2026 Subaru Foresters - 49,946
• 2026           Subaru Crosstrek Hybrids - 29,380

How Subaru Will Fix the Problem

Subaru is not aware of any crashes or injuries connected to the incorrect labels. According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, a vehicle with an incorrect label can be overloaded which can increase the chances of a crash. Overloaded vehicles can also have problems with steering and uneven wear on tires. 

Subaru says that it will reprint new labels with the proper weight ratings on them and mail them to the vehicle’s owners. Owners can just affix the new labels over the incorrect ones. Owners who are concerned can also have dealers affix the correct labels free of charge.  

Subaru will start notifying owners of the issue by mail on August 25, 2026. Subaru plans to notify owners about the remedy starting January 7, 2027. The NHTSA number for the recall is 26V436. The Subaru number for the recall is WRH-26.

Image by Subaru

About the Author

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X  and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.