Recall 22V838 affects 16 2009-2013 Subaru Forester vehicles for a front seat belt force-limiter defect. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 16 2009-2013 Forester vehicles under recall 22V838 because the front seat belt assembly force-limiter can fail to operate correctly in a crash. That failure can keep the belt from properly restraining an occupant, increasing injury risk, and Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt assembly in affected 2009-2013 Subaru Forester vehicles is the belt, retractor, and internal load-limiting hardware that help restrain an occupant in a crash. The force limiter is a built-in part that lets the belt give in a controlled way after the belt locks, reducing the load on the occupant's body.
On these recalled Foresters, the issue traces to a replacement front seat belt assembly with a force-limiter torsion bar that was not made to Subaru's specification. Debris in a forging die left one end of the torsion bar with the wrong dimensions during manufacturing. In a crash, that torsion bar can fail to control belt force the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look normal, latch normally, and still have the wrong internal torsion bar, so the VIN and repair history decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Forester model years, all involving the same left front seat belt assembly.
| 2009 Subaru Forester | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2010 Subaru Forester | seat belt |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | seat belt |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | seat belt |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | seat belt |
| Units affected | 16 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A faulty seat belt assembly can fail to restrain an occupant properly during a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before the problem matters, so if your VIN is included, schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Subaru Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free front seat belt inspection and replacement if needed for the force-limiter problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V838 when you call.
- Call Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 with questions about scheduling or owner instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the front seat belt assembly and replaces it if the recalled assembly needs replacement. The repair is free under the recall, including parts and labor. Subaru also provides reimbursement for qualifying seat belt assembly repairs paid before the recall notice through its standard reimbursement plan. If you already paid for a related repair, ask Subaru customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit your repair paperwork under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 10, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 11, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| November 11, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 1, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 9, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 9, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V838?
Recall 22V838 covers 16 2009-2013 Subaru Forester vehicles with a front seat belt assembly force-limiter that can fail to operate correctly in a crash. The seat belt assembly can fail to properly restrain an occupant, increasing injury risk. Subaru dealers will inspect and replace the assembly for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Subaru Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forester is included in recall 22V838. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the seat belt assembly inspection. Reference recall number 22V838 and Subaru recall number WRJ-22 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Subaru dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Subaru Forester before the repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue involves crash protection, because the front seat belt assembly force-limiter can fail to work correctly during a crash. Confirm your VIN, schedule the free dealer inspection, and ask Subaru customer service or the dealer about any driving concerns.
What if I bought my Subaru Forester used?
The free recall repair follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you bought the Forester used and never received Subaru's letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your vehicle is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer with recall number 22V838 or WRJ-22.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V838000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V838 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V838000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →