SUBARU CROSSTREK recall: Front ball joint may separate
Subaru CROSSTREK and FORESTER vehicles may have an improperly fastened front ball joint connection; the remedy is a free dealer inspection and replacement as necessary.
A front suspension defect could lead to loss of vehicle control in affected Subaru vehicles. The campaign includes an interim safety instruction as well as a dealer remedy.
What the official recall record says
SUBARU: CROSSTREK, FORESTER
An improperly fastened castle nut may allow the left-front lower control arm ball joint to separate from the control arm. That separation can cause loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk. The specified remedy is a dealer inspection and replacement of the ball joint assembly if necessary, at no charge.
Owner information from the official record
- Repair and availability: 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 notices: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 16, 2026.
- Manufacturer contact: Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
- Manufacturer recall reference: WRI26
Official record
- NHTSA recall ID: 26V685000
- Vehicles listed: SUBARU CROSSTREK (2026); SUBARU FORESTER (2026)
- Potentially affected: 8
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
- Report received: October 19, 2026
- Owner notification: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 16, 2026.
- 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.
- Safety consequence: A ball joint that separates from the lower control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 owners should do next
Review the campaign’s safety instructions and contact Subaru or an authorized dealer about the specified remedy.
A headline cannot confirm whether a particular vehicle is affected. Use the official NHTSA recall lookup with the vehicle identification number and contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer for vehicle-specific guidance.
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Sources used for this report.
References checked October 22, 2026.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Safety Recall Report: Campaign 26V685000. Report received October 19, 2026. Accessed October 22, 2026.
To check a specific vehicle, use the official NHTSA VIN recall lookup.
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