Subaru is recalling 541,237 vehicles in the United States because they were built with an incorrect gross axle weight rating on their certification labels, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday.
The GAWR is the figure that specifies the maximum load each axle is rated to bear. An inaccurate figure could lead a driver to overload the vehicle, which can cause poor handling or a tire failure, according to Autoblog.
Among the vehicles affected are multiple model years of the three-row Ascent SUV and select recent iterations of the Forester and Crosstrek. The Forester recall spans both its standard and hybrid powertrains, whereas for the Crosstrek only the Hybrid variant is affected, according to Autoblog. Owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by entering their 17-digit VIN on Subaru's recall lookup page.
The remedy requires no mechanical work. Subaru plans to send a replacement label directly to owners so they can affix it themselves, though a dealer visit is also an option for anyone who prefers to have the sticker installed at no cost, according to Autoblog.
In the meantime, owners — especially Ascent drivers — are advised not to push the cabin, cargo area, or roof and hitch accessories to capacity, and to err on the side of restraint whenever carrying heavy loads or towing, according to Autoblog.
Owners with questions can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614 or reach the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline.