VehicleVerdict

2018 Subaru Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 669 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Forester year — the 2018 model ranks #5 of 29 Forester years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (157), airbags (116), and other (83), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

669

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

53

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,084 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 891 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 787 complaints2018: 669 complaints2019: 1,084 complaints2020: 798 complaints2021: 281 complaints2022: 134 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Subaru Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers15723%
Airbags11617%
Other8312%
Electrical System7411%
Engine315%
Speed Control304%
Seats284%
Steering244%
Transmission233%
Driver Assistance203%
Fuel System203%
Suspension152%
Body & Structure142%
Brakes142%
Seat Belts101%
Tires & Wheels81%
Lighting20%

Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V587000Fuel SystemJuly 29, 2021 · 175,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V701000AirbagsOctober 3, 2019 · 366,282 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V455000Tires & WheelsJuly 10, 2018 · 3,654 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 2 YEARS OF THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKING WHERE A SMALL CHIP WAS. WINDSHIELD CHIPS VERY EASILY. MONTHS LATER THE WINDOW WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN CRACK. ONCE WAS WHEN WE TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER; SECOND TIME WAS WINDOW WAS COLD AND TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS WARMER. FIRST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 5, 2019

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A CAR T-BONED MY PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND WE SUFFERED INJURY AS A RESULT. THE OTHER CAR THAT HIT US HAD ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE SUBARU I DRIVE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN MOTION GOING 40MPH AND A CAR HIT ME AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 31, 2019 · crash

“WHILE PARKING IN A LOT: WHEN PULLING INTO A SPACE, HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR ACCELERATED RESULTING IN MINOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND OTHERS CARS. I BELIEVE THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN THIS ACCIDENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 12, 2019 · crash

“THE SPEEDOMETER INFORMATION IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN SUNNY DAYLIGHT. NUMBERS ARE "RED". IF "POLARIZED" OR REGULAR SUN LENSES ARE USED, (INFO. (NUMBERS) CAN NOT BE READ. 2019 MODELS, THE SPEEDOMETER IS CHANGED, WITH "WHITE" CHARACTERS. FINALLY SUBARU GOT THE MESSAGE. IT IS CRITICAL TO BE DRIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 31, 2018

“UPON ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, WITH BREAK PEDDLE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT EXTREME SPEED HITTING A PROTECTIVE BARRIER. AFTER A REST PERIOD, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND WITH BREAK PEDDLE ENGAGED LURCHED BACKWARD AT THE SAME EXCESSIVE SPEED HITTING ANOTHER OBJECT. AFTER A LONG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 22, 2021 · crash

2018 Subaru Forester — common questions

Is the 2018 Subaru Forester reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 669 complaints put the 2018 model at #5 of 29 Forester years. It is one of the Forester years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Forester problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (157 complaints), airbags (116 complaints), other (83 complaints).

Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Subaru Forester under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest record among Forester years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2018 Subaru Forester?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Subaru Forester earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.