Recall overview
Subaru is recalling 71,207 hybrid SUVs in the United States—2026 Crosstrek Hybrid and 2025 Forester Hybrid—due to a faulty fuel-cap gasket that can allow gasoline to leak in hot conditions while vehicles are parked, creating a fire risk. The company reports 33 U.S. field reports tied to the issue and no known fires or injuries.
Vehicles affected
- 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid: 51,707 units
- 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: 19,500 units
The recall applies only to the hybrid versions for these model years; other trims or powertrains are not indicated as affected.
Risk and conditions
- Occurs primarily when the tank is near full and the vehicle is parked in rising or warm ambient temperatures.
- Pressure buildup can push fuel up the filler neck; the defective gasket may allow fuel to escape at the cap.
- Gasoline outside the closed fuel system presents a potential fire hazard.
Interim guidance for owners
- Park vehicles outdoors.
- Do not fill the fuel tank beyond halfway until the repair is completed.
- Guidance applies nationwide to all vehicles within the recall population.
Remedy and timing
Dealers will replace the fuel-cap gasket with an updated design that incorporates an O-ring to improve the seal and prevent leaks. All affected owners must visit a Subaru dealer for the fix.
Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed by March 25, 2026. No additional inspections or software updates are outlined beyond the gasket/O-ring replacement.
Production status
- 2025 Forester Hybrid: no longer in production.
- 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid: remains in production; vehicles still being built will receive the updated fuel-cap seal before delivery.
How the issue was identified
Subaru opened an investigation in December 2025 after a U.S. technical report flagged the problem. Engineers traced the condition to the fuel-cap gasket and confirmed that an O-ring–equipped design mitigates the leak risk, prompting the recall decision.
