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, Oct 31, 2019
WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED BY A FLYING ROCK 1/2 INCH FROM LR CORNER WHILE DRIVING. NEXT DAY WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT DURING THE DAY, A 3 FOOT CRACK DEVELOPED IN WINDSHIELD. THE NEXT DAY THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN HALF WHILE SITTING IN THE SUN WHILE PARKED. REPLACED WINDSHIELD AND NOW THE PASSANGER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT FLOODS WHEN IT RAINS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2019
WINDSHIELD IS RANDOMLY CRACKED AND NOW HAS A BIG SPIDER CRACK ON THE LOWER END OF THE WINDSHIELD OF THE DRIVER SIDE.
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
Visibility, Oct 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO SUDDENLY CRACK FROM THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT CALLED WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU (LOCATED AT 7982 BIG BEND BLVD, WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119, 314-968-5167) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL AN AUTO GLASS SPECIALIST TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE SPECIALIST TWICE AND REPAIRED THE WINDSHIELD WITH A REPAIR KIT HIMSLEF TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. LARGE CRACK APPEARED DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN CAR WAS PARKED/STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET (A SIDE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE) AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SPIT OUT A ROCK. IT HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND BROKE. IT BROKE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ALMOST COMPLETELY ACROSS. MY DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE WIND SHIELD. IT WAS INSTALLED ON 9/8/18 WHICH ALSO REQUIRED A RE-CALIBRATION OF THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM. I HAVE THE RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER, BUT DIDN'T WANT TO UPLOAD THEM SINCE IT HAD PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
I JUST READ OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS IN LATE MODEL FORESTERS. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2018 SUBARU FORESTER IN AUGUST OF 2018. WE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE ONE DAY AND NOTICED THE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WE DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED PREMATURELY AT FIRST FEW MONTHS OF CAR BEING PURCHASED NEW.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK, HEARD A CRACK, BUT DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION. WHEN I GOT TO WORK, I SAW A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM PART OF THE WINDSHIELD APPROX 2INCHES IN LENGTH. WHEN I GOT BACK FROM WORK AND LOOKED AT THE CRACK THE NEXT DAY, IT APPEARS THAT'S THE CRACK GREW ANOTHER 2 INCHES. CALLED MY DEALER SHIP AND SOA (SUBARU OF AMERICA AND FILLED A REPORT AND ASKED IF MY LESS THAT 1 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAD ITS WINDSHIELD CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY IS COVERED , I WAS TOLD NOT AND THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL COST EST $750.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKS AFTER NO APPARENT REASON. NO IMPACT OR ANYTHING TO CAUSE CRACKS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND A CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS CRACKED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PARKED, WHEN THE REPLACEMENT WAS INSTALLED, IT CRACKED AGAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD(NO GRAVEL OR ROCKS PRESENT), MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND THE SAFETY SYSTEM RECALIBRATED AT A COST OF ALMOST $900.I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH AT THE TIME.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Oct 17, 2019
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BECAME DISARMED AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN SMARTPHONE WEIGHING 3LBS WAS ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO BECOME ARMED WHEN A 40LB PASSENGER SITS IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT ONLY. READING THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY WHICH PUTS DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK FOR INJURY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2019
BEFORE ENTERING FREEWAY, AT LOW SPEED, A CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD. SEEMS TO STEM FROM THE LOWER BLACK STRIP ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A SMALL IMPACT POINT STEMMING FROM THE BLACK STRIP ALONG THE LOWER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY GREW TO ABOUT 10'' VERTICALLY UPWARD FROM THAT. THE NEXT DAY, THE CRACK CURVED AND GREW ANOTHER 10-15'' IN LENGTH ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING IMPACT THE WINDSHIELD. A CAR WAS AHEAD OF ME BUT WAS ABOUT 2-3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD AT LOW SPEED AS IT WAS A FRONTAGE ROAD BEFORE ENTERING THE FREEWAY RAMP.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2019
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LINEAR CRACK AFTER BEING STRUCK BY AN EMPTY WIPER ARM DURING THE CHANGING OF A WIPER BLADE. THE CRACK GREW FROM 6 INCHES ON THE FIRST DAY TO 14 INCHES ON THE SECOND DAY.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY ON AND OFF, WITH AND WITHOUT A PASSENGER, WITH AND WITHOUT ITEMS ON THE SEAT. THIS IS THE THIRD OR MAYBE FOURTH OCCASION VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER. ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THEY INSPECTED THE CAR, AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO RELOCATE THE "MODULE" (WHATEVER THE MODULE IS) FOR THAT SEAT. THEY STATED IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. A MONTH LATER THE CAR STARTED TO DO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND OFF AGAIN. CAR BACK AGAIN TO DEALER BUT THEN LIGHT WAS GONE OFF. YESTERDAY, SEP 23, 2019 CAR WAS DROPPED AGAIN AT DEALER WITH LIGHT ON AND THE CAR STILL ON, IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE THE SITUATION AT RESTART. THEY JUST CALLED ME AND STATE THE SEAT AIRBAG WAS REPLACED $1,100 UNDER WARRANTY, CAR IS 6500 MILES OR SO. THAT WE COULD NOT LOCATE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A PASSENGER ON THAT SEAT. ANY ITEM, CELLULAR, TABLET, COMPUTER, BATTERY, BAGS, PURSUES, SHOPPING ITEMS, PAPERS, DOCUMENTS ON THAT SEAT WILL POSSIBLY CAUSE THE SITUATION AGAIN AND THEY WONT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO NOTHING IN FRONT OF THAT SEAT BY THE FLOOR..??? NOT POSSIBLE TO RECLINE THE BACK OF THE SEAT.... WHAT? THIS IS MY FIRST CAR DOING THAT. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY TO US, IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND A DEADLY RISK DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THE PASSENGER LIGHT ON AND A PASSENGER IN IT AND BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS WITH THE CAR ON, BUT PARKED, STOPPED WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE, MOVING, GOING FORWARD, GOING REVERSE, AND IS INTERMITTENT.
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2019
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE READINGS ARE BETWEEN 3-7 DEGREES OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. AN I TO ASSUME THE TIRE PRESSURE, ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGES ARE ALSO OFF ?
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAS SHOWN 'OFF.' THE NHTSA SITE SHOWS NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE ADVISED BY SUBARU SERVICE TECHNICIANS THAT THEY MUST HAVE SPILLED SOMETHING ON THE SEAT, AFFECTING THE SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THE SAME WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN. SUBARU TECHS RAN A DIAGNOSTIC THAT INDICATED NO ERROR CODES. I DISCOVERED ON MY OWN THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I HAVE DOGS AND CUSTOMARILY PLACE A TOWEL ON ALL SEATS TO KEEP THEM CLEAN. WHEN I REMOVED THE TOWEL MY HUMAN PASSENGER WAS SEATED ON, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR SHOWED 'ON.' IF YOU LOOK AT THE 2018 SUBARU MANUAL, THIS IS MENTIONED IN SECTION 1-56. IN ADDITION TO NOT USING SEAT COVERS, CUSHIONS, ETC., THE PASSENGER IS ADVISED TO TAKE OFF 'UNNECESSARY ITEMS' OR SIT IN THE BACK SEAT TO ENSURE THE AIR BAG WILL ACTIVATE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, ONE WHICH SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO SUBARU SERVICE TECHS AND CUSTOMERS' ATTENTION.
Air bags, Sep 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANNAPOLIS SUBARU (149 OLD SOLOMONS ISLAND RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, 888-409-1189) BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. DURING THIS INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH THE SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECENT FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,300.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2019
SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AT RANDOM INTERVALS. BASED ON MY KNOWLEDGE THIS MEANS THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY DEACTIVATED. WHEN BRINGING IT TO SUBARU'S ATTENTION THEY BLAMED MOISTURE ON THE SEATS MESSING WITH THE SENSORS, BUT THE SEATS HAVE NEVER HAD A SPILL ON THEM.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2019
WHILE IN REVERSE, AUDIO CONTROL IS LOST. ALTERATION TO CHANNEL OR VOLUME OR TURNING OFF AUDIO IS DISABLED - WHICH CAN BE HIGHLY DISTRACTING IF THE SETTING WERE LEFT EXTREMELY LOUD SINCE THE AUDIO WILL INITIALIZE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER STARTING AND REVERSING IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS AT THAT TIME.
Air bags, Sep 2, 2019, crash
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 RUNNING A RED LIGHT GOING 45MPH
Visibility/wiper, Aug 20, 2019
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE APRIL 2018. DURING MY FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND PUT A CRACK IN IT I GOT REPAIRED. I'M CONSTANTLY GETTING CHIPS. I AVOID DRIVING BEHIND SEMIS AND OTHER LARGE TRUCKS.I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH LATE YEAR SUBARU'S. I FEEL SUBARU NEEDS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF GLASS THEY USE. I WANT MY EXPERIENCE WITH SUBARU DOCUMENTED. HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH A BRITTLE WINDSHIELD BEFORE.