Subaru Recalls 70,000+ Crosstrek and Forester Hybrids Over Potential Fire Risk
Subaru has issued a significant safety recall involving its popular hybrid SUVs — the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. The recall affects more than 69,000 vehicles in the U.S., and while no fires or injuries have been reported to date, the issue raises serious safety concerns related to fuel leakage and fire risk.
What’s the Problem?
The recall centers on a faulty fuel filler cap seal on affected hybrid models. When the vehicle’s fuel tank is nearly full and exposed to rising ambient temperatures — especially hot weather — fuel can expand and build pressure inside the tank. Due to an insufficient seal between the fuel filler cap and gasket, gasoline can be pushed up the filler neck and leak out past the cap.
This situation is problematic because:
- Leaked gasoline can collect around the vehicle
- Exposure to an ignition source — like a spark — could potentially lead to fire risk
- Owners are being advised to take proactive safety steps until the recall repair is completed
Subaru says it discovered the issue after a technical report from the U.S. market prompted an internal investigation late last year. So far, there have been around 33 technical reports in the U.S. related to this condition — but no confirmed fires or injuries at the time of the recall announcement.
How Many Vehicles Are Affected?
According to Subaru and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents:
- 51,707 units of the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid
- 19,500 units of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
are included in this recall, for a total of approximately 71,200 vehicles nationwide.
What Should Owners Do?
Subaru and NHTSA issued interim safety guidance while the recall remedy is being prepared:
- Park your vehicle outdoors and away from enclosed spaces like garages.
- Do not fill the fuel tank past about half-full (50%) until the repair is completed.
- Owners should wait for a notification letter in the mail, expected beginning March 25, 2026, instructing them to schedule the recall repair with an authorized Subaru dealer.
What’s the Repair?
Subaru will replace the problematic fuel filler cap gasket with an updated version that includes an improved seal (and O-ring) to prevent fuel from escaping under pressure. Recall repairs must be completed at the dealership, and they are performed at no cost to the vehicle owner.
In the case of the 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru says the corrected fuel filler cap is already being incorporated into vehicles still in production, meaning future new models rolling off the line should not have the defect.
Why This Matters
Fuel leaks in any vehicle are a serious safety concern because gasoline is highly flammable. Even though Subaru has not reported any actual fire incidents, the potential for one — especially in hot temperatures when vehicles sit idle — is enough to warrant swift action. Owners should closely follow the precautions issued and contact their dealership if they have questions or notice fuel odor or visible leaks.
** NOT CORRECT MODEL PICTURED**
Sources to Feature
Subaru recalls 71,000 Crosstrek and Forester hybrids due to fuel leak/fire risk — Car and Driver (Feb 27, 2026)
Subaru warns Crosstrek and Forester hybrid owners to park outside and avoid filling tanks fully — Autoblog (Feb 27, 2026)
Subaru hybrid recall due to insufficient fuel cap seal — Carscoops (Feb 27, 2026)
Transport Canada official recall notice (RA-81669) covering 2025 Forester and 2026 Crosstrek hybrid models — Recall database (Feb 26, 2026)
Subaru recall summary with fuel leak risk details — AutoGuide (Mar 2, 2026)