By Mary Prenon
Subaru and Kia America have both issued recalls involving thousands of vehicles with elevated risks for accidents or injuries.
Subaru is recalling 69,153 vehicles for a possible fuel leak, which could present a risk of fire, according to a notice posted on Feb. 27 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This includes certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid and 2025 Forester Hybrid vehicles. When the fuel tank is near full capacity, the notice said, an increase in the outside temperature may cause the fuel to expand and spill out of the filler neck because of an inefficient seal on the fuel cap.
The company also issued a “park outside” warning to car owners.
Owner notification letters are expected to go out by March 25, and dealers will replace the fuel filler cap gasket free of charge. The recall number is WRD026, and owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are currently searchable on the NHTSA.gov website.
Subaru was notified of the issue in December 2025 and initiated an investigation of the parts returned. The automaker later determined that for those vehicles left outside, a significant increase in the temperature caused the fuel level to rise through the filler neck and leak out due to an insufficient seal on the fuel cap assembly.
To date, based on NHTSA reports, Subaru is aware of 33 technical reports in the U.S. market, but no fires or injuries have been reported as a result of this problem.
Kia America’s recall involves 85,488 vehicles with a seat back frame that may malfunction when attempting to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Affected vehicles include certain 2025 Telluride models equipped with power front seats. Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
Owners can expect to receive notification letters by April 24, 2026, and dealers will replace the front seat back frame assemblies free of charge. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542 using the recall number SC362. VINs involved in this recall will become searchable as of April 24 on NHTSA.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
The problem dates back to August 2025, when Kia Georgia informed the Kia North America Safety Office about the potential driver seat back looseness condition. The Kia Safety Office began monitoring the issue and collecting warranty return parts for evaluation.
From October 2025 through January 2026, Kia Georgia sent the collected seat backs to Kia Corporation for rear impact sled testing, after which Kia Corporation noted that the tested parts did not satisfy Kia’s internal performance standard.
While the recall remains in effect, Kia has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue.
Another recent Kia America recall involved 2023-2025 K5 vehicles with faulty left and right rear window trim pieces. Kelley Blue Book reported that those pieces may loosen and detach, possibly causing an accident. Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as needed, free of charge.
