Recall 21V263 affects 408,271 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek and Forester vehicles for loose rear stabilizer bracket bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 408,271 2018-2019 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles because rear stabilizer bracket bolts are at risk of loosening and detaching. Missing bolts can let the bracket shift and increase crash risk; Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear stabilizer bracket on the 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek and Forester holds the rear stabilizer bar in place. That bar helps limit body roll as the vehicle turns or travels over uneven pavement. Flange bolts clamp the bracket to the vehicle body, so the bracket and bar stay fixed while the suspension moves.
On these vehicles, small differences in the bracket shape can leave a larger gap than Subaru intended between the bracket and the body. When the bolt is tightened, part of the clamping force closes that gap instead of holding the bracket with enough force. Over time, the bolt loses torque, the bracket loosens, and the bracket can shift or detach.
The warning sign is an abnormal rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle. That sound means the rear suspension hardware is moving when it should stay fixed. Subaru also found that a shifted bracket can contact a brake pipe during rough road driving.
Who's affected?
Covers the Crosstrek and Forester across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to the rear suspension flange bolt.
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Forester | rear suspension |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 408,271 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific crossover.
What's the safety risk?
If bolts are missing, the rear stabilizer bracket can shift and increase the risk of a crash. An abnormal rattle from the rear of the vehicle is the warning sign to take seriously. Schedule the repair soon and call the dealer if you hear it. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek or 2019 Subaru Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free rear stabilizer bracket bolt service that retorques the bolts and replaces any missing bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V263 and Subaru recall WRD-21 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since missing rear stabilizer bracket bolts increase crash risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician checks the rear stabilizer bracket bolts, retorques bolts that need it, and replaces any bolts that are missing. Parts and labor are covered under recall 21V263, so the dealer repair is free. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for this recall. If you paid out of pocket for a related rear stabilizer bracket bolt repair before the recall work, bring documentation to the service desk and ask Subaru customer service how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 16, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 16, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 14, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 14, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 17, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V263?
Recall 21V263 covers 408,271 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles with rear stabilizer bracket bolts that can loosen and detach. Subaru dealers will retorque the bolts and replace missing bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek or 2019 Subaru Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V263. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the rear stabilizer bracket bolt repair. Reference Subaru recall number WRD-21 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Subaru to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V263, a franchised Subaru dealer will retorque the rear stabilizer bracket bolts and replace missing bolts free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V263?
The risk is a rear stabilizer bracket that shifts after its bolts loosen or detach. In NHTSA campaign 21V263, that movement increases crash risk. Check your VIN, then have a Subaru dealer complete the free bolt inspection, retorque, and replacement work.
What if I bought my Subaru Crosstrek or Forester used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you bought the vehicle used and never received Subaru's May 17, 2021 owner letter, check your VIN and reference recall number WRD-21 when you call a Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V263000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V263 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V263000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →