Subaru Recalls Over Half a Million SUVs After Weight Labeling Mistake

Subaru is recalling more than 541,000 vehicles in the United States after federal regulators discovered a labeling error on the driver’s side door. The issue involves incorrect weight capacity information, which could lead to unsafe driving conditions if owners unknowingly overload their cars.

The recall affects several popular SUV models from recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The error, flagged by NHTSA, stems from a miscalculation printed on the vehicle certification label. That sticker, located inside the driver’s door jamb, lists the gross vehicle weight rating and tire pressure specs. In this case, the numbers are wrong. That might not sound like a big deal, but an overloaded SUV can handle poorly, strain its brakes, and increase the risk of a crash.

Subaru says no injuries or accidents have been reported related to the mistake so far.

Owners of affected vehicles will get free replacement labels mailed to them starting next month. They can also visit a Subaru dealer to have the sticker swapped out at no cost. The recall covers certain 2020 through 2024 Ascent, Outback, and Forester models, along with the 2021 and 2022 Crosstrek.

If you own one of these SUVs, Subaru recommends checking your door label and contacting a dealer if the numbers don’t match official specs. In the meantime, the company is working to ensure no other vehicles leave the factory with the same error.