2018 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 495 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 26 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 29, 2021
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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V587000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 3, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresJul 10, 2018
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."
Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V455000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
83 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2021
A NUMBER OF TINY CHIPS DEVELOPED ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. COUNTED AT LEAST 6 SPOTS. THE CAR WAS MOSTLY PARKED ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE CHIPS SEEM TO HAVE OCCURRED. HAVE DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES ON HIGHWAYS AND LESS THAN 20 MILES IN THE CITY.
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2020
I OWNED THIS NEW CAR ONLY 2 WEEKS AND IT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE CRACK REPAIRED AT A PRIVATE SHOP. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
CRACKED/DENTS IN WINDSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
2018 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FIRST NOTICED IN AUGUST 2018.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2020
ON RANDOM AND UNPREDICTABLE OCCASIONS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE APPARENTLY AS AN ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM. WHEN THIS OCCURS, NOTHING WORKS TO TRY TO RESOLVE EXCEPT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND THE MECHANISM WILL RESET ITSELF AND THEN WORK NORMALLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2018, IN 2019 A SMALL PIECE OF GRAVEL HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND A HUGE CRACK APPEARED A FEW WEEKS LATER. HAD IT REPLACED. NOW 10//27/2020 THERE IS A CRACK THAT JUST APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD AGAIN. NO ROCKS HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD. .I DROVE THE CAR AND DID NOT SEE A CRACK. PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR AN HOUR AND WENT OUTSIDE TO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THERE WAS A CRACK. THEY APPEAR WHEN THE CAR IS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY..THE FIRST CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND CLAIM WERE FROM 9/19 CLAIM 06-B531-7M4 WITH STATE FARM.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET. NOTHING HIT IT. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS NEAR ME. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2020
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" WARNING APPEARED ON CONSOLE. PASSENGER WAS PRESENT IN PASSENGER SEAT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE, ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN WHEN CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. MESSAGE WAS PRESENT BOTH WHEN PASSENGER WAS PRESENT AND NO PASSENGER. SYMPTOM MATCHES EXISTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 19V701000. PERFORMED INSPECTION PER HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2019/RCRIT-19V701-0743.PDF, FOUND PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) HARNESS THAT MATCHES DEFECTIVE PART DESCRIPTION PROVIDED BY SUBARU (DATE CODE IS BEFORE 18074, SUPPLIER CODE IS 6578). OWNER CONCERN IS THAT THE VEHICLE VIN DOES NOT APPEAR LISTED UNDER RECALL PROVIDED ON NHTSA OR SUBARU WEBSITE, EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECTIVE, RECALLED PART IS PRESENT IN THIS VEHICLE. OWNER BELIEVES THAT SCOPE OF RECALL IS INCORRECT AND DID NOT INCLUDE ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD HAS EASILY CRACKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2020
I HEARD A LOUD POP WHEN DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD. JUST DRIVING. I LOOKED UP AT THE REAR VIEW AND SAW THE WINDSHIELD HAD A VERY LARGE / LONG CRACK IN IT. I CALLED SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. NO MENTION OF PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELDS. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 11, 2020
I PURCHASE A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER AND 5 MONTH LATER THE SIDE/BACK RADAR WARNING SYSTEMS WENT DEAD. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF A SCRATCH ON THE BUMPER THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PART WAS NOT WARRANTED AND WOULD COST OVER $2K TO REPAIR. THIS PART WARNS ME FROM GOING BACK OR CHANGING LANES BECAUSE OF BLIND SPOTS OR EXCESSIVE SPEED OF OTHERS DRIVERS AND PREVENTS ACCIDENTS. I BROUGHT IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND HAD THE PART REPLACED AND PAID OUT OF POCKET. RECENTLY I FOUND IN MY PAPERS THAT THE DEALER HAD INCLUDED IN MY PRICE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PERIOD AS THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME OVER $300 FOR IT. I RE-APPLIED TO HAVE THE REPAIR COVERED BY THE NEW WARRANTY AND AGAIN DENIED. I REPORTED THIS TO CONSUMER REPORTS IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO TEST THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PART TO SHOW IT WAS NOT MADE DEFECTIVE BY A SCRATCH/BUMP TO THE BUMPER. BECAUSE THIS PIECE IS SUCH AN INTEGRAL SAFELY PIECE OF THE CAR, LIKE A COMPUTER OR TV ELECTRONIC PARTS DON;T GO DEFECTIVE IN SUCH SHORT PERIODS AND WITH NO REAL PHYSICAL DAMAGE. I NOTICED THE DEFECTIVE DEVICE WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN ON THE STREETS AND VEHICLES WERE PASSING AND DEVICE NOT WARNING ME. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2020
EXHAUST GETTING INTO THE CAR COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY OR AROUND OTHER CARS. ONLY STOPS SUCKING EXHAUST IN IF WE CHANGE THE AIR VENTILATION MODE TO INSIDE THE CAR ONLY. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AROUND BECAUSE THE CAR GETS HUMID FAST AND THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH DECREASED VISIBILITY BECAUSE WE CANNOT CHANGE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM TO THE BUTTON THAT TAKES AIR FROM OUTSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ABOUT 1130 PM ON 29 MARCH 2020 WHEN IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. NOTHING WAS AROUND, NOTHING HIT IT. NO ONE OR ANIMAL WAS IN THE VEHICLE NOR ANYWHERE NEAR THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO REASON, DROVE TO WORK WINDSHIELD FINE. FOUND BROKE AFTER LEAVING WORK WHILE PARKED. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. DATE OF THE BREAK WAS APPROX. 6/2019
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2019
I'M CURRENTLY ON MY SECOND WINDSHIELD ON MY 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO GOOD REASON AND THE SECOND CRACKED WITH A MINOR ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2019
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK DUE TO A TYPE OF TRIP OR WIRING WITH THE LOCKING SYSTEM. WHILE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STATIONARY, RIGHT BEFORE LOCKING THE DOOR, THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LIGHT FLASHES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS CLOSED, EVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ACTS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THIS PREVENTS THE CAR FROM LOCKING, DUE TO SOME TYPE OF TRIP IN THE DOOR SENSOR. IT MIGHT BE A TRIP BETWEEN THE KARR ALARM SYSTEM AND THE DOOR SENSOR INSTALLED IN THE CAR. I'VE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR OR RESOLVE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT IS HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2019
WINDSHIELD------ 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. ON 2/29/2018 WHEN ENTERING THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHICH WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK RAN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD UP ABOUT 10 INCHES. WHEN LEAVING THE CAR ON THE NIGHT ON 9/28/2018 THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT CRACKED. INSPECTION SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A CHIP IN THE GLASS.WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON THAT MORNING THE CRACK EXTENDED TOWARD THE PASSENGER ABOUT 8 INCHES.MY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT ME TO SAFELITE AUTO GLASS TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. AN AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD REPLACED THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD. SAFELITE WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE CAMERAS FOR THE STARLIGHT SYSTEM. THE WINDSHIELD WAS THEN REPLACED WITH A SUBARU WINDSHIELD. SAFELITE AGAIN WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN / CALIBRATE THE CAMERAS. WAS SENT TO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR THE CALIBRATION.. THEY WERE ABLE TO CALIBRATE THE CAMERAS AFTER 4.5 HOURS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER SUBARU FORESTERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I BELIEVE THEY WIND SHIELDS ARE DEFECTIVE. I DO NOT HAVE A PHOTO
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
I WOKE UP ONE MORNING TO FIND A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE). I PARK MY CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY, NOT IN THE STREET. I RARELY EVEN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WORK A HALF MILE FROM MY HOUSE.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 20, 2019
[XXX] 05/19/2019 [XXX]- CLEAR DAY @ 10AM EST. WHILE IN MY LANE AND TRAVELING STRAIGHT AND WITHIN THE LANE LINES, TWO (2) VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS ACTIVATE AT THE SAME TIME: LANE KEEP ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING. THE LANE KEEP ASSIST WAS THE STRONGEST "PULL" I'VE EVER FELT AND PULLED/STEERED THE VEHICLE TO RIGHT CAUSING ME NEARLY CROSS INTO THE LANE ON MY RIGHT. MY HANDS WERE ALWAYS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY CORRECT IT. THE DEPARTURE WARNING ALSO ACTIVATED AT THE INITIAL 'LANE KEEP ASSIST' FEATURE ACTIVATION. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE ROAD FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD HAS DRIED INSECT RESIDUE BUT NOTHING I CONSIDERED VISUALLY IMPAIRING. IF MY HANDS WERE NOT ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR OTHERWISE WAS DISTRACTED, I HAVE NO DOUBT I WOULD HAVE STEERED COMPLETELY INTO THE LANE NEXT TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, May 13, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND IS NOW HALF ACROSS FROM PASSENGER SIDE. NO KNOWN ROCK HIT SAME. GOOGLED AND NOTICED DOZENS OF WINDSHIELDS CRACKED FROM STRUCTURAL DEFECTS. SUBARU CLAIMS THIS IS WHY EYESIGHT CUTS OFF " EYESIGHT CANNOT SEE IT DON'T WORK." SO I GUESS IT DOESN'T WORK AT NIGHT?
Electrical system, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2019
THE EYESIGHT HAD BEEN MANIPULATED TO A WARNING EVEN WHEN THERE'S NO OBSTRUCTION WHILE DRIVING FORWARD, WHILE BACKING UP IT GIVES A WARNING THAT SOMEONE OR A VEHICLE IS ADJACENT TO MY CAR. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. I HAVE AN IDEA WHO'S BEHIND THIS. BUT I CANNOT PROVE IT. SOMEONE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN COMPUTER SECURITY WITHIN MY VICINITY. IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN BACKING UP IN MY GARAGE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2018
IGNITION STEERING LOCK IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAR. WE HAVE HAD 5 INSTANCES WHERE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING IS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. IT TAKES A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE KEY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT TAKES TWO PEOPLE. ONE TWISTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE OTHER THE KEY. THE SUBARU DEALER SAYS THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2018
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 AND YOU CAN NOT SEE THE SPEED THAT YOU ARE DRIVING !
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2018
WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. OUR WINDSHIELD WAS HIT TWICE BY SMALL ROCKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE TWICE WITHIN 30 DAYS. ONE BREAK ON THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD AND AGAIN ON THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD FACILITIES THE DAMAGE OR THE DESIGN OF THE GLASS IS FRAGILE. THESE BREAKS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH SPEEDS OF AROUND 70 MPH. WHEN SPEAKING TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP OF OUR CONCERN THEY INFORMED US THAT SUBARU WINDSHIELDS HAD A TENDENCY TO CRACK EASILY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. WHEN WE ASKED THEM IF THIS SEEMED LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN THEY DID NOT SOME TO THINK IT WAS.