by Subaru recalls over 541,000 SUVs due to incorrect stickers
Subaru has announced the recall of over 540,000 vehicles due to incorrectly printed stickers. What is even more interesting is that correcting this issue partially relies on the owners themselves. On the positive side, the risk of a serious accident due to this recall is minimal. Unless owners inadvertently load their vehicle to the level indicated on the wrong sticker.
Which models are affected by the recall?
The recall covers the 2019-2026 Ascent, 2025-2026 Forester, 2025-2026 Forester hybrid, and the 2026 Crosstrek hybrid. In total, this is 541,237 vehicles. Subaru found that their mandatory certification stickers show an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), which does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110.
Important: There are no mechanical issues with the vehicles themselves. The problem is that the incorrect rear axle weight value could mislead owners, causing them to carry more cargo or passengers than intended, which increases the risk of an accident. Subaru states that it is not aware of any accidents, injuries, warranty claims, or technical reports related to this issue.
How will the problem be resolved?
Subaru is not disclosing exactly which incorrect rear axle weight value was indicated, or what the corrected figure will be. Therefore, it is impossible to determine from the recall documents whether the discrepancy is a few kilograms or significantly more. Interestingly, it was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that brought attention to this issue.
In the recall documents, Subaru notes that the administration raised concerns about the weight value back in May. Following this, the company reviewed the calculated GAWR values for its vehicles, starting with the 2003 model year. After completing the review, it decided to conduct this recall.
Instead of recalling each vehicle to a dealer, Subaru plans to send owners a corrected overlay sticker along with instructions on how to apply it over the existing one. Those who do not wish to do this themselves can have the sticker installed free of charge at a dealer. This is one of the simplest recall solutions, but it makes sense since the problem is with the sticker, not the vehicle.
This recall is quite unusual as it pertains exclusively to documentation, not technical components. Although an error on a sticker may seem trivial, it is directly related to safety: overloading a vehicle can lead to loss of control or suspension damage. The fact that Subaru decided to review data going back to 2003 indicates the seriousness of their approach to this matter. Owners should carefully watch their mail to receive the corrected sticker on time and avoid potential problems.
