Letting your car's gas tank run on near-empty is usually a red flag, but following a new recall, doing so may actually be safer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid and the 2025 Subaru Forester hybrid have a fault with their fuel tanks that could cause a fire, and owners are encouraged to park outside until the Japanese automaker addresses it next month. 69,153 vehicles over the two nameplates are affected, and to avoid risk, it's best not to fill the gas tank to capacity. Fortunately, this will be a relatively easy fix, as the electrified part of the powertrain is not to blame for this recall. Let's take a more detailed look at the problem and how Subaru intends to resolve it.
Full Tanks, Temperature Increases, and Faulty Filler Caps Lead to Subaru Hybrid Recall
Subaru
According to the recall reports (here and here), U.S. versions of the 2026 Crosstrek hybrid and 2025 Forester hybrid were found to leak fuel from their filler caps, prompting Subaru to investigate in December last year. What the automaker discovered is that when vehicles are left parked with a fuel tank near capacity, a "significant" increase in ambient temperature can cause the fuel tank to expand. This increases pressure therein, pushing gasoline up the filler neck, and due to an insufficient seal on the fuel cap assembly, gas may then leak out of the filler neck. Should there be an ignition source, this could ultimately cause a fire.
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Since we're still technically in winter, this shouldn't be too scary a problem for owners in most parts of the country, and Subaru says that although it is aware of 33 technical reports in the U.S. market at this time, it is not aware of any fires or injuries related to the issue. In fact, this is a voluntary recall, so Subaru is playing it safe before anything bad does happen.
How Subaru Plans to Address Hybrid Fire Risk
The particularly good news for owners is that the problem can easily be fixed with no more than a new and improved gasket for the fuel filler cap, one that incorporates an O-ring for a stronger seal. Dealers were already notified of the problem last week, but it'll be the end of next month when they have the required parts, with a planned remedy notification date for owners planned for March 25, five days after spring officially arrives. Until then, Subaru recommends that customers do not fill their gas tanks beyond 50%. Just don't let it run too close to empty — that's bad for the fuel pump.
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