The Lemon IndexSubaru recalls.
Every NHTSA recall on the Subaru models we track, by model and year. Check yours by VIN.
We hand the VIN to our free VIN check: the car, its model-year record and every recall for it.
Illustrations (AI-generated) of the cars shown, not photos of specific cars. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Recalls by model. Campaigns per model, all years.
Tap a model for every recall in one list. Models on sale for more years have had more time to collect recalls.
The biggest Subaru recalls. By vehicles in the campaign, since 2010.
- Lights · recall issued Feb 2019 · Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza · model years 2008–2017
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
1,303,530 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V149000
- Lights · recall issued Dec 2012 · Forester, Legacy, Outback · model years 2009–2012
Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle.
633,842 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V602000
- Visibility · recall issued Sep 2016 · Legacy, Outback · model years 2010–2014
Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other.
592,647 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V694000
- Equipment · recall issued Jul 2026 · Ascent, Forester · model years 2019–2025 New: most likely still open
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
541,237 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 26V436000
- Electrical · recall issued Apr 2021 · Crosstrek, Impreza · model years 2017–2019
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
466,205 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V264000
- Electrical · recall issued Oct 2019 · Crosstrek, Impreza · model years 2017–2019
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
466,205 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V743000
The newest Subaru recalls.
- Equipment · recall issued Jul 2026 · Ascent, Forester · model years 2019–2025 New: most likely still open
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
541,237 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 26V436000
- Child seat · recall issued Jun 2025 · Forester · model year 2025
The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
2,938 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V419000
- Wheels · recall issued Jan 2025 · Forester · model year 2025
The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
20,366 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V033000
- Airbags · recall issued Mar 2024 · Legacy, Outback · model years 2020–2022
A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
118,723 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 24V227000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Nov 2023 · Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, Outback · model years 2021–2023
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
95,830 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V755000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Nov 2023 · Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza · model years 2023–2024
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
4,701 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V754000
Park-it warnings 3
NHTSA flagged these: don't drive the car, or park it outside, until the fix is done.
- Electrical · recall issued Dec 2022 · Ascent · model years 2019–2022 Park outside
The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
271,694 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V907000
- Suspension · recall issued Aug 2021 · Impreza · model year 2021 Park it: don't drive
The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
802 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V675000
- Steering · recall issued May 2016 · Legacy, Outback · model years 2015–2017 Park it: don't drive
The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
48,819 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V292000
Is one open on your Subaru?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does Subaru have?
114 NHTSA recall campaigns on the 6 Subaru models we track, model years 2000–2025. A campaign that covers several models or years counts once.
Which Subaru has the most recalls?
The Subaru Outback, with 68 campaigns. Then the Legacy (50), the Impreza (47), the Forester (38). Models with more model years on sale have had more time to collect recalls.
What is the biggest Subaru recall?
NHTSA 19V149000 (lights, Feb 2019): 1,303,530 vehicles in the whole campaign, on the Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza among the models we track. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
What is the newest Subaru recall?
Filed Jul 2026 for the Ascent, Forester (NHTSA 26V436000): These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
How do I check a Subaru for recalls by VIN?
Type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Subaru dealer: that shows whether a recall is still open on that car. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Is Subaru reliable? · Recall check for every make
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
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