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
495 reports, newest first.
Visibility/wiper, May 6, 2020
AFTER NOT DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS DUE TO COVID I NOTICED I HAVE A HUGE CRACK THAT GREW BY AT LEAST AN INCH A DAY WHILST THE CAR WAS IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK STARTED ON THE BOTTOM BLACK PORTION WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE IT CHIPPED (SEE PHOTO) THE WINDSHIELD AND HAS SPIDERED FROM THERE. I HAVE MEASURED THE CRACK DAILY WITH A CHALK MARKER AND THE CRACK WILL SOON BE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2018 SUBARU FORESTER HAD TO BE REPLACED ON APRIL 16, 2019 AND AUGUST 13, 2019 DUE TO ROCK STRIKES IN THE BOTTOM OR SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD (THE BLACK SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD CLOSEST TO THE METAL. TODAY, MAY 3, 2020 A CRACK LARGER THAN 12 INCHES APPEARED. THE CRACK BEGAN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD (AGAIN IN THE BLACK SECTION). I CHECKED CLOSELY AND THERE WASN'T A ROCK STRIKE. THE CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 28, 2020
2018 SUBARU FORESTER, SITTING AT HOUSE UNDRIVEN (STATIONARY) FOR OVER A MONTH DUE TO STAY AT HOME ORDER, DEVELOPED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2020
WE HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. BOTH TIMES, THERE WAS A CRACK ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS AND COMING UP INTO THE LINE OF SITE. BOTH TIMES, THE CRACK OCCURRED WITHOUT AN APPARENT ROCK HIT OR OTHER ISSUE. BOTH TIMES, THE CRACK WAS NOTICED AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN STATIONARY WITH NO APPARENT ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK IT TO SUBARU, WHO SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A ROCK. I SAW NO EVIDENCE OF A ROCK.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2020
FORESTER WAS PARKED IN UNDER GROUND PARKING GARAGE FOR BETWEEN ONE AND TWO WEEKS. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, NO SOUND AT ALL WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WAS LOCKED WAS THE REAR HATCH DOOR. NEIGHBOR BROUGHT A BATTERY CHARGER AND GOT THE FORESTER STARTED. FOLLOWING THAT, I DROVE IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND ASK THEM TO CHECK AND SEE IF ANYTHING WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THEY CHECK EVERYTHING AND DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE FELLOW AT THE SERVICE DESK SAID THAT STARTING A CAR IS THE BIGGEST DRAIN ON A BATTERY AND IF THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH BETWEEN STARTUPS, IT TENDS TO BRING THE BATTERY DOWN. HE RECOMMENDED PARTICULAR BATTERY CHARGER WHICH HE SAID I COULD PURCHASE AT WALMART. SINCE I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER ELEVEN THOUSAND MILES ON MY FORESTER, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS SITUATION OCCUR WITH ANY OF MY OTHER AUTOMOBILES IN THE PAST. I DO WORRY ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SHOULD I LEAVE MY CAR PARKED AT THE AIRPORT FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THERE IS NO PLACE TO PLUG IN A CHARGER. I STILL LOVE MY FORESTER.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2020
MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND OVERNIGHT A WINDSHIELD CRACK OF 8-12 INCHES APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THE CRACK IS GROWING FROM BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE AND UP, HEADING MID SHIELD TOWARDS DRIVER. NO LOGICAL REASON FOR CRACK. NO ROCK CHIP MARKET, NO ACCIDENT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 20, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO AN UNKNOWN REASON. 13" CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD STARTING AT THE BASE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. MY ONLY SPECULATION IS THAT SNOW COVERED THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE NIGHT AND THE SUN HEATED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING CAUSING AN ABRUPT TEMPERATURE STRESS ON THE GLASS. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2020
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD IN THE LEFT CORNER (FROM THE DRIVER'S PERSPECTIVE) OF THE WINDSHIELD. ALTHOUGH THE INITIAL DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD WAS A SMALL DENT IN THE WINDSHIELD (PICTURED BELOW) THE CRACK STARTED SPREADING AS WE DROVE AND REACHED OVER 2/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD IN LENGTH (ALSO PICTURED BELOW). IT SEEMS UNREASONABLE THAT SUCH A SMALL DENT SHOULD CAUSE MORE THAN HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. AS A RESULT, I THINK THAT THE WEAK CONSTRUCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IS WHAT CAUSED THIS LARGE DAMAGE TO IT. ALTHOUGH THE CRACK ISN'T SEEMING TO SPREAD PAST ITS CURRENT LENGTH, IT IS STILL A CONCERN THAT THE WINDSHIELD MIGHT BREAK IN HALF AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER OR IF ANOTHER SMALL ROCK WERE TO HIT IT.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2018 FORESTER SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED EIGHT MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE WHILE DRIVING ON I-25 EIGHT MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR IMPACT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY SAFELITE AUTOGLASS ON MARCH 26, 2019. THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT AFTER INSURANCE WAS $200.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED REALLY QUICKLY. NOT NORMAL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2019. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. NOTICED IT NEXT MORNING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. CAR NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. NO ROCK OR HAIL WAS IN CONTACT WITH WINDSHIELD PRIOR DAY OR EVEN UP TO THIS DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
WITHIN THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE WINDSHEILD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IS WAS DUE TO A SMALL CHIP.
Structure, Mar 13, 2020
SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
I PURCHASED A 3 MONTH USED CERTIFIED 2018 SUBARU FORESTER XT FROM A DEALER. AFTER DRIVING FOR COMMUTING FOR A MONTH OR SO, I REALIZED THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT ONE DAY I SAW THE CRACK OUT OF NO WHERE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN THE CITY MY WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY BROKE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
WE RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED AND LESS THAN A WEEK LATER THERE WAS A MYSTERIOUS CHIP OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. NOTHING HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING TO CAUSE THIS CHIP, SO I BELIEVE IT HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2020
STRONG FUEL ODOR IS DETECTED IN GARAGE AFTER PARKING AS WELL AS WITHIN THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. BELIEVE FUEL IS ENTERING OIL FROM UNDETERMINED LOCATION AS ODOR IS ESPECIALLY PRONOUNCED AROUND DIP STICK. IF OIL IS CHANGED THE ISSUE DISSIPATES BUT RETURNS WITHIN 1000 MILES. THERE ARE PLENTY OF ONLINE REPORTS FROM OTHER 2015 - 2018 FORRESTER XT (TURBO) OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE AND IN MOST CASES THEIR DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN ISSUE OR PROVIDE A SOLUTION. IN ONE REPORT, HOWEVER, THE OWNER INDICATED THEIR DEALER FINALLY RESOLVED THEIR ISSUE BY REPLACING A FAULTY INJECTOR SEAL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD FROM A TINY ROCK. CAME FROM A CAR GOING OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HIT DRIVERS SIDE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER AND RAN ALL OFF THE WAY ACROSS.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2020
DEALER IS UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR THE RECALL. SAFETY RECALL: WUM98|NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 19V701000 AUTONATION SUBARU IS SAYING IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT 2 MONTHS FOR THEM TO GET PARTS. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE OCTOBER 2019. ADDRESS. 9955 E ARAPAHOE RD CENTENNIAL, CO 80112
Structure, Mar 2, 2020
PARKED THE CAR IN A PROTECTED LOT. WHEN I RETURNED THERE WAS A 2-FOOT LONG CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH NO HELP OR COVERAGE FROM SUBARU. THIS WAS WITH 12000 MILES ON THE CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK/CHIP. I NOTICED THIS WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT AND NOT IN MOTION. CHIP SEEMED TO APPEAR ON IT'S OWN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THESE MODEL FORESTERS, GLASS ISN'T UP TO PAR.