2018 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Forester years
The 2018 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 495 complaints and 3 recalls, led by Visibility & Wipers issues (31% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 495
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 26 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28 hwy
Top 2018 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or backing out of garages, sometimes striking walls or structures.
- Vehicles reportedly lurched forward or backward unexpectedly when shifting between drive and reverse.
- Airbags failed to deploy in some crashes, including a t-bone collision at highway speeds.
- Brake pedals were applied but the vehicle allegedly failed to slow or stop, leading to low-speed collisions with trees, walls, or garage doors.
- Some incidents occurred with the vehicle nearly stationary or moving at low speed, such as entering a parking space.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Forester a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years, which puts it in the Caution category relative to other Forester years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA complaints show Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 31% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 20% and Electrical System at 15%.
- Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a fuel pump issue (campaign 21V587000), an airbag occupant detection sensor issue (19V701000), and an incorrect certification label for wheel and tire size (18V455000).
- How does the 2018 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than the 2019 (100) and 2015 (87) Avoid years, but higher than Best-rated years like 2011 through 2013 and 2024.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Subaru Forester?
- EPA rates the 2018 Forester at 25 mpg combined (23 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.