Subaru Recalls Nearly 70,000 Foresters Over an Engine Defect That Can Cause Stalling

If you own or are shopping for a 2026 Subaru Forester, there is a recall you need to know about. Subaru of America is recalling nearly 70,000 of its newest Foresters because a defect introduced during engine assembly can cause the engine to fail, leaving the vehicle unable to start or, worse, losing power while you are driving. A vehicle that stalls in traffic is a safety hazard, which is why federal safety rules treat a loss-of-power defect as a recall rather than a routine repair.

The recall covers 69,663 vehicles in total, all from the 2026 model year, and it lands on one of Subaru most popular models at the very start of its sales run. The brand built its reputation on dependable, all-wheel-drive family vehicles, and the Forester is a core part of that story, which makes an engine-assembly defect on a brand-new generation a notable problem for the company and a real concern for owners. Here is exactly what is wrong, which vehicles are caught up in it, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do.

What Is Wrong With the Engines

The fault sits deep inside the engine. According to the recall, one or more of the engine camshaft roller finger followers may have been installed incorrectly during engine assembly. A roller finger follower is a small component that sits between the camshaft and the valve, helping to open and close the valves as the engine runs. If one was not seated properly, it can dislodge from the valve stem, and once that happens the engine can fail.

The consequences fall into two categories, both serious. In some cases the engine simply will not start, leaving the owner stranded. In others the failure happens while the vehicle is moving, producing a loss of motive power. Losing power in traffic, on a highway, or while merging raises the risk of a crash, since a vehicle that suddenly slows or stalls can be caught out in fast-moving conditions. That driving-related risk is what makes this a safety recall rather than an inconvenience.

The defect traces back to the assembly line rather than to anything an owner did or failed to do. Because the roller finger follower can be dislodged during camshaft installation, the problem is built in from the factory on affected units, not the result of wear, maintenance habits or how the vehicle is driven. That is important reassurance for owners worried they somehow caused it: they did not, and the fix is Subaru responsibility at no cost.

Which Vehicles Are Affected

The recall covers 69,663 model year 2026 vehicles, split between 65,656 standard Subaru Forester SUVs and 4,007 Forester Hybrid models. The affected vehicles were built between June 2025 and March 2026, and they share one specific feature: a power moonroof. That detail is useful because it helps narrow down which Foresters are included, though the only certain way to confirm your vehicle is to check its vehicle identification number against the recall.

Because these are 2026 vehicles, many are very new, some only weeks or months into their owners hands. That works in owners favor in one respect: a defect found early, before most affected vehicles have racked up high mileage, gives the manufacturer and dealers a better chance to repair vehicles before a failure occurs. It also means a number of affected vehicles may still be sitting on dealer lots, which is why anyone shopping for a new Forester right now should ask the dealer directly whether the specific vehicle has been checked against this recall.

Warning Signs and What To Do

Subaru has identified several warning signs that can precede a failure, and owners of affected vehicles should treat them seriously. The signs include an engine ticking or tapping noise, a low-volume engine leak while the vehicle is running, and possible illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp, the warning light commonly called the check engine light. None of these should be dismissed as a minor quirk on a vehicle covered by this recall.

If you notice any of these symptoms, the safe course is to stop driving the vehicle and arrange to have it inspected rather than risk a failure on the road. A ticking or tapping noise from the engine, in particular, can be an early indicator that something is wrong with the valve train. Catching it before the engine fails is far preferable to discovering the problem when the vehicle loses power in traffic. If the vehicle does lose power while you are driving, signal, move to the safest available position off the roadway if you can do so, and avoid stopping in a live lane where you may be struck from behind.

How To Check and What the Fix Involves

The first thing every Forester owner should do is check whether their vehicle is included. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your 17-character VIN, which is printed on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver side and on your registration and insurance documents. The tool will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recall. You can also contact a Subaru dealer or Subaru of America customer service with your VIN, and watch for an owner notification letter mailed to the address on your registration.

The repair itself is substantial. Rather than attempting to fix the individual component, dealers will replace the engine long block, the major lower portion of the engine that contains the affected valve train hardware, with one built using correctly installed roller finger followers. The replacement long blocks carry part numbers RB3E-6006-AA and BA for the standard Forester and PB5E-6006-AA and BA for the hybrid. The work is carried out free of charge, as all safety recall repairs are. You should never be charged for a recall remedy, and if a dealer suggests otherwise, contact Subaru of America or report it to NHTSA.

Because the remedy involves replacing a large engine assembly, owners should expect the repair to take time once parts are available, and availability of replacement long blocks may pace how quickly affected vehicles can be fixed. Keep your contact details current with the dealer and with Subaru so you are notified promptly when parts are ready. In the meantime, do not ignore the warning signs, do not delay an inspection if the engine sounds or behaves abnormally, and confirm your VIN status rather than assuming a new vehicle must be fine.

For prospective buyers, none of this should necessarily rule out a 2026 Forester, since a recalled vehicle that has been repaired carries a corrected engine and the manufacturer has paid to put it right. But it is reasonable to ask a dealer to confirm, in writing, whether a specific vehicle is affected and whether the recall work has been completed before you buy. A recall handled properly is a sign the safety system is working. A recall ignored is the only version that puts a driver at risk.

It is worth putting the scale of the repair in perspective. Replacing a long block is one of the more involved jobs a dealer can undertake, well beyond a software update or a swapped sensor, and it speaks to how seriously Subaru is treating the defect that the chosen remedy is to fit a corrected engine assembly rather than attempt a partial fix. For owners, that thoroughness is good news, because a properly rebuilt engine resolves the root cause rather than papering over it. The trade-off is time, since major engine work and parts supply do not move as quickly as a minor recall.

If the repair cannot be scheduled quickly and you are uneasy about driving the vehicle, ask your dealer or Subaru of America whether a loaner or alternative transportation is available while you wait. Support of that kind is offered case by case rather than guaranteed, but it is a reasonable question for a recall that involves a potential loss of power. Keep a written note of who you spoke with and when, in case you need to follow up on either the repair timeline or any transportation help.

Finally, this recall is a useful reminder to stay on top of safety notices for whatever you drive. The free SaferCar app from federal safety regulators can alert you when a recall is issued for a vehicle you have registered in it, and checking your VIN a couple of times a year takes only minutes. Recalls are issued constantly across every brand, and the owners who come through them safely are simply the ones who act on the notice instead of setting it aside.

Sources:

• https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/industry-news/article/55382268/national-highway-traffic-safety-administration-nhtsa-this-weeks-recalls-june-1-5
• https://www.cars.com/research/subaru-forester/recalls/
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls