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Earlier this week, a recall was announced for a single Toyota Tundra due to an incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label. Now, Subaru has issued a similar recall, but this time on a much larger scale. As per information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Subaru is recalling a total of 5,41,237 units of its Ascent, Forester, and Crosstrek crossovers. The reason behind the recall is an incorrect rear axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) printed on the federally mandated Part 567 certification label.

Though GVWR and GAWR sound similar, they represent different vehicle weight limits. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) denotes the maximum permissible weight of the entire vehicle, including passengers, cargo, and fuel. In contrast, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) refers to the highest weight that a single axle can safely support. In this case, Subaru’s recall concerns the GAWR of the rear axle, not the vehicle’s overall GVWR.

The official recall documents do not mention the correct GAWR figure or the incorrect value that currently appears on the affected labels. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the difference is minor or substantial. However, Subaru has cautioned that an incorrect label could lead to overloading of the vehicle, suggesting that the printed GAWR might be higher than the actual rating. This discrepancy could potentially cause owners to load more weight onto the rear axle than the design permits, increasing the risk of mechanical issues or safety concerns.

The recall covers specific model years of Subaru vehicles, including the 2019–2026 Subaru Ascent, 2025–2026 Subaru Forester and Forester Hybrid, and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. Subaru estimates that all 5,41,237 vehicles within the recall scope could be affected by this labeling error.

The positive aspect of this recall is that most owners will not need to visit a dealership to resolve the issue. Subaru plans to mail out replacement GAWR labels to affected customers. Owners can simply place the corrected label over the existing one. Those who would rather not apply it themselves can have the updated label affixed by an authorised Subaru dealer free of charge. According to Subaru, the distribution of replacement labels is expected to begin in January 2027.