NHTSA Recall 26V436000: Subaru Ascent, Forester & Crosstrek Hybrid Weight-Rating Label
A plain-language breakdown of NHTSA recall 26V436000 — the incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) certification label on certain Subaru Ascent, Forester, Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid vehicles, what owners should do, and when a recall like this can matter for California lemon law.
Recall 26V436000 at a glance
- NHTSA campaign number
- 26V436000
- Manufacturer
- Subaru of America, Inc.
- Vehicles affected
- Subaru Ascent, Subaru Forester, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
- Model years
- Ascent 2019–2026; Forester & Forester Hybrid 2025–2026; Crosstrek Hybrid 2026
- Units recalled
- 541,200+
- Component
- Labels — Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) certification label (FMVSS 110)
- Risk
- Incorrect weight-rating label — vehicle could be overloaded if the owner relies on it
- Recall issued
- July 7, 2026
- Owner letters mailing
- August 25, 2026
Safety notice: Incorrect weight-rating label — vehicle could be overloaded if the owner relies on it. Follow the manufacturer's interim guidance below until the recall repair is completed.
What the recall covers
Recall 26V436000 (Subaru reference WRH-26) covers more than 541,200 Subaru vehicles built with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) printed on the certification label. Because of the wrong figure, the vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims." If an owner relies on the incorrect label to load the vehicle, it can be overloaded — which increases the risk of a crash. The vehicle's actual mechanical components are not the subject of this recall; the defect is the printed rating.
The remedy
Subaru will mail owners a corrected certification label free of charge, and owners may instead have a dealer install the new label at no cost. Owner-notification letters describing the safety risk are expected to mail around August 25, 2026, with additional letters once the remedy is available.
What owners should do now
- Until you receive the corrected label, do not rely on the printed weight rating when loading cargo, passengers, or a trailer — stay conservative with heavy loads.
- Watch for your Subaru owner-notification letter (mailing expected to begin around August 25, 2026).
- Confirm whether your specific VIN is affected before assuming the label is wrong.
- Keep your recall letter and any related paperwork.
- If your Subaru also has a separate mechanical defect the dealer can't fix, document those repair visits and save every repair order.
How to check your VIN
Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or subaru.com. Inclusion is VIN-specific, not just by model and year.
Subaru customer service: 844-373-6614 (recall reference WRH-26). NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.
When this recall can become a California lemon law claim
A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Subaru may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.
Read more on this recall
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does recall 26V436000 cover?
Recall 26V436000 (Subaru reference WRH-26) covers more than 541,200 vehicles: certain 2019–2026 Subaru Ascent, 2025–2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid, and 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid SUVs that were built with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating on the certification label.
How do I know if my VIN is included in 26V436000?
Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or subaru.com, or call Subaru at 844-373-6614. Whether a vehicle is affected depends on the specific VIN, not just the model year.
What is the fix for recall 26V436000?
Subaru will mail a corrected certification label free of charge, or a dealer will install the new label at no cost. Owner letters are expected to begin mailing around August 25, 2026.
Could the Subaru label recall make my car a California lemon?
Usually not on its own — replacing a printed label is a simple fix and the vehicle's mechanical parts aren't the subject of this recall. But if the corrected label is significantly delayed, or your Subaru has other warranty defects the dealer can't fix after a reasonable number of attempts, you may have a California lemon law claim — potentially a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees.
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Recall details are summarized from public NHTSA data and are subject to change; confirm current information at nhtsa.gov/recalls. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; for advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.