WASHINGTON, D.C. –

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated Subaru is recalling the Forester from the 2009 through 2012 model years.

A total of 275,000 are being summoned to franchised dealerships because the automatic locking retractor in the seat belt assemblies located in the rear-center seating area do not meet lockability requirements. NHTSA said the problem means the vehicles manufactured between Nov. 26, 2007 and March 13 fail to carry out the protocol of federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 208 titled, “Occupancy Crash Protection.”

Officials fear that the assemblies may not permit proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint in that seating position. They insist an insecure child restraint system can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

Subaru told NHTSA it will begin to notify owners of effected vehicles no later than April 13, instructing them to take the units to a franchised dealer who has been instructed to install a newly modified automatic locking retractor free of charge.

In the meantime, owners can contact Subaru at (800) 782-2783.