2018 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Subaru Forester ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 495 complaints, led by visibility/wiper issues (31%) and airbag problems (20%), plus 3 recalls including a fuel pump issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 495
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 26
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2018 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers155 (31%)
- Airbags97 (20%)
- Other84 (17%)
- Electrical System73 (15%)
- Engine58 (12%)
- Structure & Body44 (9%)
- Steering25 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (4%)
- Fuel System21 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or surging when shifting between drive and reverse, sometimes crashing into garages or walls.
- Some drivers report the vehicle lunging forward or backward at parking speed even while pressing the brake pedal.
- Several complaints describe brakes failing to hold on inclines or during low-speed maneuvers, leading to collisions.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in crashes, including a T-bone collision at highway speed, resulting in injury.
- Structure and body complaints describe cars jumping curbs or crashing into buildings during routine parking maneuvers.
2018 Subaru Forester recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
- NHTSA 19V701000Oct 3, 2019Airbags366,282 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Risk: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
- NHTSA 18V455000Jul 10, 2018Other3,654 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTS-78.
2018 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Subaru Forester reliable?
- Compared with other Forester model years, 2018 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA data shows visibility and wiper issues make up 31% of complaints, followed by airbags at 20% and electrical system problems at 15%.
- Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Forester, covering the low-pressure fuel pump, an airbag occupant detection sensor for heated seats, and an incorrect tire/wheel certification label. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 75 is lower than 2019 (100) and 2015 (90), but higher than most Foresters from 2005-2013 and the 2022-2024 model years, which rate Good or Best.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2018 Forester?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 16,000 miles, though electrical issues showed up at a median of 9,417.5 miles and transmission complaints at 4,000 miles.