Subaru Issues Do-Not-Drive Warning for 8 Crosstrek and Forester SUVs Over a Suspension Joint That Can Separate

Subaru of America 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, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm. A separated ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash, and reporting on the recall notes that the failure can happen without warning. The NHTSA campaign number is 26V685, and the Subaru number is WRI26. The recall report reached NHTSA on October 19, 2026.

The population is tiny, just eight vehicles across both models, with no per-model split published by NHTSA. Small does not mean unimportant here. When a recall carries a do-not-drive advisory, the manufacturer has judged that the failure mode is severe enough that even a handful of cars should stay parked. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed.

Dealers will inspect the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly and replace it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 16, 2026, and owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Because the population is so small, an owner of a 2026 Crosstrek or Forester should check the VIN now rather than assume the car is unaffected: with eight cars in the whole country, guessing is not a strategy.