Recall 20V189 affects 4,862 2019 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles for a rear seat belt locking defect. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 4,862 2019 Crosstrek vehicles under recall 20V189 because the rear seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism can fail to lock as intended. In a crash involving multiple impacts, the belt can fail to properly restrain the occupant and increase injury risk; Subaru dealers will replace the rear seat belt assemblies free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear seat belt assembly in the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek uses a dual locking mechanism. Its G-sensor lock is designed to lock the belt when the vehicle slows sharply, while the webbing sensor lock is a backup that locks when the belt webbing is pulled out quickly. Together, those locks help keep the rear belt positioned during a sudden stop.
On affected rear outer seat belts, a pawl spring inside the retractor was assembled incorrectly at the supplier. That spring helps the webbing sensor lock engage. When it is installed wrong, the webbing sensor lock does not lock as intended, although Subaru says the G-sensor lock remains fully functional.
Subaru identified no field reports, owner complaints, warranty claims, or other field data tied to this condition. There is no warning sign before failure, so an owner will not feel or hear a clear change in normal belt use.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4,862 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific crossover is included.
What's the safety risk?
If your VIN is included, the rear seat belt assemblies can fail to restrain an occupant properly during a crash with multiple impacts, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign to check before a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free rear seat belt assembly replacement that fixes the locking mechanism.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V189 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the affected rear seating positions should remain unused until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces the rear seat belt assemblies covered by recall 20V189. The repair focuses on the dual-mode locking mechanism, where the webbing sensor locking mechanism does not lock as intended. Replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related rear seat belt repair before the recall notice. Contact Subaru customer service with repair documentation to ask how that plan applies to your prior expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 31, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 1, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 15, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 24, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 24, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V189?
Recall 20V189 covers 4,862 2019 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles with rear seat belt assemblies that use a dual-mode locking mechanism. The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism can fail to lock as intended, and Subaru dealers will replace the rear seat belt assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Subaru Crosstrek is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Crosstrek is included in recall 20V189. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule replacement of the rear seat belt assemblies. Reference Subaru recall number WRC-20 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Subaru's recall remedy says dealers will replace the rear seat belt assemblies free of charge. Federal recall law also requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear-seat restraint in a crash involving multiple impacts. If the seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism does not lock as intended, the belt will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing injury risk.
When did Subaru notify owners?
Subaru owner notification began April 15, 2020. Since that date is in the past, affected owners can contact a franchised Subaru dealer now and ask for the WRC-20 rear seat belt assembly replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V189000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V189 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V189000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →