Subaru Recalls 69,663 Foresters Because the Moonroof Glass Can Detach While Driving

Subaru is recalling nearly 70,000 of its newest Forester SUVs because the moonroof glass can come unstuck and fly off the vehicle while it is being driven. The recall covers 69,663 model year 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid models, and the danger is not just to the people inside the car. A glass panel that detaches at highway speed becomes a hazard for every driver behind it. Subaru says the panels were not bonded to their frames correctly during manufacturing, and over time the adhesive can weaken until the glass separates.

For Forester owners, this is the practical question to answer first. Is your specific SUV included, and if so, what should you do while you wait for the repair? The short version is that the fix is free, dealers will inspect and replace the moonroof assembly when needed, and there is a clear way to check your vehicle today rather than waiting for a letter in the mail.

Why the Moonroof Glass Can Detach

According to the safety recall report Subaru filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some affected vehicles left the factory with power moonroof assemblies in which the glass panel was improperly bonded to the sliding frame. Subaru traced the problem to the amount of primer used during assembly. Primer is the bonding agent that helps the adhesive grip, and some assemblies did not receive the proper amount. Without enough primer, the bond between the glass and the frame can deteriorate, and the panel can pull away from the vehicle while it is moving.

The moonroof assemblies were supplied by Webasto Roof Systems in Kentucky. Subaru began looking into the issue after receiving a report on February 26 that a moonroof glass panel had detached from a vehicle. The company says it received three technical reports tied to the condition between late February and late March. To its knowledge, no crashes or injuries have been linked to the defect, and Subaru says it corrected the problem on the production line on March 10 before deciding on May 21 to conduct a voluntary recall out of caution.

Which Foresters Are Included

The recall covers 65,656 standard 2026 Forester SUVs built between June 19, 2025 and March 13, 2026, along with 4,007 Forester Hybrid models built between February 20 and March 17, 2026. All of the affected vehicles are from the current 2026 model year, which means this issue hits some of the newest Foresters on the road, many still well within their first year of ownership.

Because the defect depends on how a particular moonroof assembly was bonded, not every 2026 Forester built in those windows carries the flaw. The build date ranges describe the population of vehicles Subaru is inspecting, not a guarantee that a given car is defective. That is why checking your individual vehicle identification number is the only reliable way to know where you stand rather than assuming based on the model year alone.

It has been an unusually busy stretch for Forester recalls. Subaru recently recalled a separate batch of nearly 70,000 Foresters over an engine defect that can cause the vehicle to stall, a problem unrelated to the moonroof. Owners who have received more than one notice should read each carefully, because the two recalls involve different parts and different repairs. You can read our earlier coverage of the Subaru Forester engine recall for the details on that one.

What the Repair Involves

Subaru dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel to confirm whether it is properly bonded. If the panel does not meet the required standard, the dealer will replace the glass panel assembly at no cost to the owner. There is no charge for the inspection or the repair, and the work is covered regardless of whether the vehicle is still under its original warranty.

Subaru began notifying dealers on May 28, and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by July 24. That gap between dealer notice and owner notice is normal, but it also means owners do not have to sit and wait for the letter. Anyone who wants to check sooner can do so now using the recall lookup tools described below. If you use your moonroof regularly, it is reasonable to keep it closed until your vehicle has been inspected, simply to reduce any chance of the panel shifting while you drive.

How To Check Your Vehicle

To find out whether your Forester is part of the recall, enter your 17 character vehicle identification number at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The tool lists every open recall attached to that exact vehicle, including this one once your VIN is loaded into the system. You can also use Subaru’s own recall lookup on its owner site, or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Your VIN appears on the lower driver side corner of the windshield and on your registration and insurance paperwork.

If your vehicle is included, contact your local Subaru dealer to schedule the free inspection and any needed replacement. If it is not yet listed, check again in a few weeks, since automakers continue to add vehicle identification numbers to recall databases as they confirm the affected population. Signing up for automatic recall alerts through the federal database is the surest way to hear about this or any future recall on your vehicle without depending on the mail. For a defect that can send a panel of glass onto the road behind you, a quick VIN check is well worth the few minutes it takes.

What To Do If a Panel Has Already Come Loose

Most affected owners will never see a problem before the dealer makes the repair, but it is worth knowing the warning signs. A moonroof that begins to fail can rattle, whistle with wind noise, or look slightly misaligned in its frame. If you notice the glass shifting, hear a new rattle from the roof, or see any gap forming around the panel, stop using the moonroof and contact a Subaru dealer right away rather than waiting for your scheduled inspection. Do not try to reseat or tape the panel yourself, since the bond is a structural one that needs to be replaced correctly.

If a panel were to detach completely while you are driving, keep both hands on the wheel, ease off the accelerator, and pull over safely rather than braking hard or swerving, which can be more dangerous than the lost panel itself. Subaru says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries tied to this defect, and acting on the recall before a panel ever loosens is the whole point of getting the inspection done early.

This recall also speaks to a broader trend. Large glass roofs have become a popular feature on family SUVs because they make the cabin feel brighter and more open, but they also add a structural element that has to be bonded perfectly to stay safe at speed. Bonding defects like this one are rare, yet when they slip through they affect a lot of vehicles at once because the same assembly goes into thousands of cars. That is also why automakers act quickly with a recall once even a handful of reports come in, as Subaru did here after only three technical reports.

If you are shopping for a used 2026 Forester, this is a reason to run the vehicle identification number through the federal recall database before you buy. A recall repair stays with the vehicle and is free to whoever owns it, so confirming the moonroof inspection has been completed, or arranging it yourself after purchase, costs nothing and removes the risk entirely.

Sources:

• Fox Business, Subaru recalls nearly 70,000 SUVs after moonroof panels detach while driving: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/subaru-recalls-nearly-70000-suvs-after-moonroof-panels-detach-while-driving
• Autoevolution, Subaru recalls 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid for detaching power moonroof glass panel: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/subaru-recalls-2026-forester-and-forester-hybrid-for-detaching-power-moonroof-glass-panel-270960.html
• NHTSA recall lookup: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls