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, Feb 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS THAT CAUSED THE CRACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ONCE FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
UNKNOWN. I DROVE MY CAR BACK FROM A WEEKEND TRIP AND SAW NO DAMAGE DURING THAT TIME. I THEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR AGAIN FOR 3 DAYS. WHEN I RETURNED TO DRIVE MY CAR, THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ACROSS THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE PROPAGATED FROM DAMAGE FROM A PROJECTILE AND WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR 3 DAYS EARLIER. BASED ON THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF THE CRACK, I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY NO ONE WAS AROUND ME. I HEARD A SMALL PING. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK EVEN WITH MUCH MORE FORCE. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY SISTER WHO BOUGHT A NEW CROSSTREK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO OBSERVABLE REASON AND WAS REPLACED
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
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM PASSENGER EDGE TO MIDDLE OF DRIVERS SIDE. NOTHING HIT IT, IT JUST CRACKED WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN MY CARPORT
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
CRACKED AND CHIPPED WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. REPLACED 2-14-20
Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARK MILLER SUBARU SOUTH TOWNE SERVICE LOCATED AT 10920 STATE ST, SANDY, UT 84070, (888) 791-4530, TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,457.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2020
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. NO STONES OR ROCKS HIT IT. JUST STARTED CRACKING IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS FROM COLD WEATHER. SEEMED LIKE IT CRACKED WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS PUT ON IN COLD WEATHER. CRACKS EVERYWHERE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 28, 2020
LARGE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AT THE TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2018 SUBARU FORESTER IN DECEMBER OF 2018. IN AUGUST OF 2019, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A CITY STREET. THE NEXT AFTERNOON, I NOTICED AN APPROXIMATE 2 FOOT CRACK ACROSS THE LEFT SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR, AND IT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED MY ABILITY TO SEE AS IT WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LINE OF VISION. I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT A MONTH UNTIL A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS APPROVED BY MY INSURANCE, ORDERED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND FINALLY INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER REPLACING MY WINDSHIELD, A TINY PEBBLE THE SIZE OF A PINHEAD HIT THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD AGAIN. I COULDN'T EVEN SEE A MARK, IT WAS SO SMALL. ONE DAY WHEN I WAS GETTING IN MY CAR, I NOTICED A FOOT LONG CRACK IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME PLACE AS LAST TIME. ONCE AGAIN, IT IS IMPAIRING MY ABILITY TO SEE WELL. MY CAR HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT AND I RARELY DRIVE OTHER THAN TO WORK AND BACK HOME. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER CARS IN THE PAST 18 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN THEM MUCH MORE THAN THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER ONCE DID MY PREVIOUS WINDSHIELDS EVER CRACK. IT SEEMS LIKE SUBARU MUST HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS AS THEY CRACK FAR TOO EASILY. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, Jan 1, 2020
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY EYESIGHT FEATURE SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND MY CRUISE CONTROL CEASES TO WORK AND NO LANE ASSIST OR OTHER SAFETY FEATURES CONTAINED WITH THE "EYESIGHT PACKAGE" WORK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING.
Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2019
NHTSA RECALL 19V-701 (SUBARU RECALL WUM-98) INCLUDES ONLY FORESTERS WITH SEAT HEATERS MANUFACTURED FROM 1/20/15 - 8/1/17. MY FORESTER WAS MANUFACTURED ON 6/6/18 AND IS NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED. PAGE 3 OF PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN WUM-98R REVISED 11/20/19 (COPY ATTACHED) STATES IF THE DATE CODE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION WIRING HARNESS IS 18074 (74TH DAY OF 2018) OR BEFORE AND THE SUPPLIER CODE IS 6578, "THE HARNESS IS NG AND THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED". AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ATTACHED PHOTO (IMG_1295), THE DATE CODE ON THE HARNESS LABEL IN MY VEHICLE IS 18019 (19TH DAY OF 2018), THE SUPPLIER CODE IS 6578, AND THE SUBARU PART NUMBER (64084SG020) MATCHES THE PART NUMBER ON THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS LABEL ON PAGE 3 OF WUM-98R. ALSO, HOW CAN THE CUT OFF DATE FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESSES (74TH DAY OF 2018) BE 7 1/2 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST RECALLED VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED ON 8/1/2017? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESSES MADE IN THAT 7 1/2 MONTH PERIOD ? AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, SUBARU STILL REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, STATING ONLY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1/20/15 AND 8/1/17, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO PAGE 3 OF WUM-98R THE HARNESS IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. NOTE ALSO THAT PAGE 3 OF PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 19V-701 CLAIMS THE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT WAS CORRECTED ON 2/19/2018, AND LISTS 17 RECALLED PART NUMBERS, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PART NUMBER IN THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS LABEL ON PAGE 3 OF WUM-98R (AND THE HARNESS LABEL IN MY VEHICLE). THIS RECALL CLEARLY WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2019
MULTIPLE CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD. SOME CRACKS ARE FROM VERY SMALL ROCKS AND MY INSURANCE COVERED IT . THE MOST RECENT CRACK IS VERY LARGE AND DIDNT APPEAR TO START FROM ANY ROCK. THIS WINDSHIELD FEELS VERY UNSAFE.THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY .
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.
Air bags, Dec 17, 2019
WHEN MY HUSBAND SHUTS OFF THE CAR, GETS OUT AND REFUELS, I REMAIN SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE STARTS THE CAR AND DRIVES OFF. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT READS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH I AM SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED STARLINK TOLD US TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED,BUT THE DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES THAT I GET OUT WHEN HE GETS GAS, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF AND GET OUT TO REACTIVATE THE AIRBAG. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS.
Steering, Dec 4, 2019
THE STEERING LOCKS UP ON THIS VEHICLE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN IT BUT GIVE ME A STEERING WHEEL EMBLEM WITH THE! AND IT DOESN'T WEATHER IS HOT OR COLD SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN IT ON AND OFF SIX OR SEVEN TIMES BEFORE IT WILL UNFREEZE
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2019
A SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH NO HISTORY OR EVIDENCE OF ROCK WHIP OR DAMAGE OCCURRED WITH BRAND NEW VEHICLE (130 MILES), CRACK BEGAN AT ROOF LINE IN AREA IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND EXTENDED BELOW THE "DOT SHADING" AROUND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. GLASS REPAIR PERSON NOTED NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE, WINDOW WAS REPLACED AND BILLED TO MY INSURANCE. NOW AT 32,000 MILES IN THE SAME LOCATION, ANOTHER CRACK HAS APPEARED. GLASS REPAIR PERSON AGAIN REPORTS NO EVIDENCE OF ROCK CHIP OR DAMAGE, AND HE THINKS THAT THE CRACK SEEMS TO BE ON THE INSIDE, NOT ON THE OUTSIDE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER, AND THE CAR IS GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE.. I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE DATE THIS OCCURRED THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME BECAUSE IT BEGINS IN AN AREA WHERE THE MIRROR OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW OF IT AND I DON'T NOTICE UNTIL IT EXTENDS BEYOND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. FIRST TIME IT WAS NOTED WHEN I TOOK CARE IN TO HAVE GLASS TREATMENT PUT ON (TO REDUCE NIGHT GLARE) AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE OF THE CRACK. THE CAR ONLY HAD 136 MILES AT THIS TIME. SECOND TIME I NOTICED IT ABOUT 11/2/19. SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT ON 12/5/19.
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL INSIDE THE ENGINE OIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF CORVALLIS (LOCATED AT 800 NW 5TH ST, CORVALLIS, OR 97330, (541) 754-1515), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Power train, Nov 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SOMETIMES LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU SHERMAN OAKS (888-690-1521, LOCATED AT 5747 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSED THE DEFROST BUTTON, A SMALL CRACK WAS NOTICED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK PROGRESSIVELY GREW LARGER AND DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK FROM THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, ABOUT 20MPH WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SHATTERED. IT APPEARED SPONTANEOUS, I DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY HEAR ANYTHING HIT THE WINDOW, AND I DON'T REMEMBER THERE BEING OTHER CARS AROUND THAT WOULD'VE KICKED SOMETHING UP OFF THE ROAD...I JUST HEARD A POP AND ALL THE GLASS SHATTERING. EARLIER THAT MORNING I HAD HEARD CREAKING NOISES THAT I HAD THOUGHT WAS JUST STUFF MOVING AROUND IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, BUT MAYBE IT WAS THE WINDOW BEGINNING TO FAIL?