2018 Subaru Forester problems
The Subaru Forester (Japanese: スバル・フォレスター, Hepburn: Subaru Foresutā) is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.
First generation (SF; 1997)
The Forester was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1995 as the Streega concept, and available for sale in February 1997 in Japan, and to the US market in 1997 for MY1998. The Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs; the idea was inspired by Volkswagen (VW). It was built in the style of a station wagon, but had a taller stance, higher h-point seating, and an all-wheel drive drivetrain. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy". It used the Impreza platform but with the larger 2.5-liter DOHC EJ25D four-cylinder boxer engine from the Subaru Outback, making 123 kW (165 hp; 167 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Japan
In its domestic market, the Forester replaced the Impreza Gravel Express, known in the US as the Subaru Outback Sport. However, the Outback Sport remained in production for the U.S. market. The Forester appeared after the introduction of the Nissan Rasheen in Japan with a similar appearance, and the Forester's Japanese competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi RVR, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Because of the Forester's low center of gravity, it meets the United States federal safety standards for passenger vehicles and does not require a "risk of rollover" warning label on the driver's visor. Size- and price-wise, it fits between the shared Impreza platform and the larger Legacy.
The automatic transmissions used on AWD-equipped vehicles will normally send 60% of the engine's torque to the front wheels and 40% to the rear wheels, using a computer-controlled, continuously variable, multi-plate transfer clutch. When the transmission detects a speed difference between the front and rear axle sets, the transmission progressively sends power to the rear wheels. Under slip conditions, it can achieve an equal split in front and rear axle speeds.
When accelerating or driving uphill, the vehicle's weight shifts rearward, reducing front-wheel traction, causing the transmission to automatically send torque to the rear wheels to compensate. When braking or driving downhill, the vehicle's weight shifts towards the front, reducing rear-wheel traction. The transmission again compensates by sending torque to the front wheels for better steering control and braking performance. If the automatic is placed in reverse or first gear, the transmission divides the torque 50/50 to both front and rear wheels. The manual transmission cars are set up with a near 50/50 torque split as a base setting, and it varies from there. Essentially, manual cars are set up with more bias towards the rear than automatic cars.
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Common 2018 Subaru Forester problems
The 2018 Subaru Forester has been subject to various complaints from owners, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receiving over 300 complaints.
Another issue that has affected the 2018 Subaru Forester is the non-deployment of airbags. This problem has led to a major recall to address airbags that may not deploy in the event of a wreck.
The Forester's transmission has also been a source of concern for many owners. Subaru extended a transmission warranty, but replacement of a failed component after that could be costly.
Car Complaints has reported that the most costly new problem for the 2018 Forester is the compressor breaking, which can cost up to $1,000 to repair.
A class-action lawsuit has also been filed against Subaru for faulty piston rings resulting in extra oil consumption, with reports of newer years facing the same type of suspension problems.
In summary, the 2018 Subaru Forester has had several issues reported by owners, including spontaneous windshield cracking, non-deploying airbags, transmission problems, and compressor failures. While the Forester has a good overall crash-test record and wide availability of collision-avoidance tech, these issues have led to recalls, warranty extensions, and class-action lawsuits.
Are there problems with the 2018 Subaru Forester?
The 2018 Subaru Forester earned an "average" reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. 11 NHTSA recalls exist for faulty front airbag inflators, rusted brake lines, and turbo failure. Excessive oil consumption, oil leaks, and engine knocking are reported below 50,000 miles.
Is 2018 a good year for a Subaru Forester?
As family vehicle trends shift from sedans to crossovers and compact SUVs, the Forester fits the bill nicely. The 2018 Subaru Forester holds a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA and is the #1 safety pick from IIHS with EyeSight and Steering Responsive Headlights.
What is the most common issue for Subaru Forester?
Most Common Subaru Forester Problems
- Engine Issues. There are a variety of issues that owners have reported that are related to the Check Engine light being illuminated. ...
- Transmission Problems. Subaru Forester transmission problems typically occur in two ways – shuddering or jerking. ...
- Oil Consumption. ...
- Electrical Issues.
Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
Does 2018 Subaru Forester have problems?
The 2018 Subaru Forester earned an "average" reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. 11 NHTSA recalls exist for faulty front airbag inflators, rusted brake lines, and turbo failure. Excessive oil consumption, oil leaks, and engine knocking are reported below 50,000 miles.
Is 2018 a good year for a Subaru Forester?
As family vehicle trends shift from sedans to crossovers and compact SUVs, the Forester fits the bill nicely. The 2018 Subaru Forester holds a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA and is the #1 safety pick from IIHS with EyeSight and Steering Responsive Headlights.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Forester?
Most Common Subaru Forester Problems
- Engine Issues. There are a variety of issues that owners have reported that are related to the Check Engine light being illuminated. ...
- Transmission Problems. Subaru Forester transmission problems typically occur in two ways – shuddering or jerking. ...
- Oil Consumption. ...
- Electrical Issues.
Is Subaru Forester 2018 fuel efficient?
Based on data from 276 vehicles, 27,222 fuel-ups and 7,991,470 miles of driving, the 2018 Subaru Forester gets a combined Avg MPG of 24.42 with a 0.06 MPG margin of error.
2018 Subaru Forester car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Forester problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Air bags problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Subaru Forester vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2018 Subaru Forester
The NHTSA has received 437 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Subaru Forester. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- VIN: JF2SJAJC3JH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: After starting the car for the first time of the day, letting it warm for a minute or two, I started driving and when I went to stop at a stop sign about three blocks from my starting point I pressed the brake. The engine started to rev immediately so I had to stomp the brake to the floor and push the gear selector to the neutral position to avoid hitting a pedestrian and the dog she was walking. She was within 10 feet of the front of my car when I finally stopped. I have not taken it to a dealer yet since I am sure they will not be able to replicate the intermittent problem. There were no warnings of any kind that this was about to happen. I did note though, that the cold engine temperature indicator light on the dashboard was still illuminated.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-12
- VIN: JF2SJAJC9JH
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The initial incident happened when I was accelerating uphill. When I pressed the gas pedal to accelerate, the car began jerking and sputtering. I released the gas pedal and let the car coast, as I was heading toward a stop sign. After I stopped and then accelerated the second time, the engine seemed to smooth out. Nothing further happened until about 1 week later. The second incident, I was 35 minutes into an hour-long drive. I was going around 45-55mph when the same issue happened suddenly: I pressed the gas pedal and the car started shaking and sputtering. If I released the gas pedal, the car was fine. All check engine lights came on and were flashing. I lowered my speed into the 30s, and the issue continued to happen, regardless of what speed I was driving at. If I was accelerating, the car was shaking a lot. At stop signs, the lights would turn off, but pop on as soon as I began driving again. I was able to make it to my destination and when I parked the car, it was shaking a lot while idling. It felt like the engine was about to die or shut off. It was late so I turned the vehicle off and left it parked for the night. The next morning, when I started the car, it was continuing to shake/sputter during idle and I drove it briefly to see how it ran. It continued to shake when pressing the gas pedal, however, the check engine lights were not on. Since I had to drive back home, I decided to take it slow and began the two-hour drive back. The engine again seemed like it wanted to die as I let the car warm up, but it did not shut off. Initially when driving, the car continued to have the same problem - shaking whenever I pressed the gas pedal, no matter the speed. The check engine panel lights did not come on, however, and after driving for about 20 minutes, the issue cleared up. I've only driven it as needed since then and it is currently running ok, but, given the numerous fuel pump recalls I'm concerned there is a defect with this model.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- VIN: JF2SJAGC7JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag was not activated message was displayed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70, 000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-16
- VIN: JF2SJAGC0JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Per the dealership, the occupant detection wiring harness resulting in the passenger side not activating despite a passenger sitting in the car. This causes a risk to the passenger as the airbag is not activated and the warning light goes on. This problem has been confirmed by the Subaru dealership. There is currently a recall for this issue for this particular issue and vehicle, however the VIN is not included. Additionally, when I look at the product campaign bulletin it outlines how to identify if there is a faulty harness. The harness ID falls in the vehicle within the the range of numbers that classifies it as a faulty harness. Despite this, Subaru refuses to replace it at their cost as the VIN is not covered by the recall notice.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-14
- VIN: JF2SJAEC1JH
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
- Summary: The sensor in the seat has been intermittently working for years and finally quit. It costs close to $2000 to fix and there is no way to switch the air bag to stay on. It seems this is an issue with other 2018 Subaru foresters and for some reason the recall did not apply to my VIN.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-23
- VIN: JF2SJAGC0JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: This is related to the ODS recall (October 3, 2019 NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000) where the sensor mat harness was replaced. Turns out the ODS sensor mat also needs to be replaced. The issue was happening intermittently throughout 2024 and I have brought the car in for service but the part is on back order for 2 months now.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-10
- VIN: JF2SJGWC7JH
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Windshield broke while sitting parked. Was not impacted by flying objects. Had to replace out of pocket.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-27
- VIN: JF2SJAEC2JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The passenger-side front airbag Occupancy Detection System harness failed on my vehicle. The dealer charged me for a replacement, even though this part was recalled. They said they could not perform the repair free of charge because the recall was not listed for my VIN. I attempted to contact Subaru 12 days ago to request reimbursement, but I did not receive a response. I do not have the old part available, but I do have a photograph of the supplier code and date code on the harness. The codes are within the affected range, as indicated in recall bulletin WUM-98R (NHTSA ID 19V-701) Evidently, Subaru has failed to identify all of the vehicles affected by this defect. Passenger safety was put at risk because the airbag system would disable itself whenever somebody sat in the front passenger seat. Because the problem was intermittent, and because Subaru failed to notify me of the defect, this led to a delay in getting it repaired. The dealer diagnosed the issue and determined that the harness needed to be replaced. Whenever the failure occurred, the airbag trouble light turned on and the message "passenger air bag off" was displayed, even if there was a passenger in that seat.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-18
- VIN: JF2SJARC2JH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I bought the car certified used from a Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville, NY. They did not mention this issue. I’ve had the car for 2 years, drive it 1-2x a week, have it serviced regularly, etc. all of a sudden in the past week it’s needed a jump 2x, maybe a few days apart. My lights are on auto, always, & shut off when the car turns off after a few seconds. My interior lights are all set to off, after the first jump. Doors & cargo door are all closed well. Battery has been tested & they say it’s not bad & doesn’t need replacing. So what is draining the battery then? When the battery is dead, it’s completely dead. No turnover at all & the cargo door won’t open until it’s running & charged enough again. I’m shocked the cargo door can’t open without the battery!
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-17
- VIN: JF2SJAECXJH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The malfunction identified in NHTSA campaign number 19V701 has been continually malfunctioning again, beginning about a year ago. This is happening within a relatively short time after it was supposedly fixed. (Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98). It is the exact same problem as previously identified in 19V701.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: JF2SJAWC5JH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: My 2018 Subaru Forester has a faulty passenger air bag sensor, which has been diagnosed by my local Subaru dealer, with a repair cost of $1,500+ for labor and parts. It has intermittently turned on and off again, but after getting a separate issue fixed by my dealer, they diagnosed this problem, and every time the car is turned on, the warning light is constantly displayed, and the passenger seat airbag light shows "OFF" even when someone is in the passenger seat. Upon research, this is a known and common issue with other Subaru Foresters with heated seats in the same model year (my Forester does have heated seats), but my VIN is not included in the Subaru recall for this specific repair. This greatly puts the passenger in my car at risk, as the sensor does not recognize that a person is in the seat while they are riding, and if we were to be in an accident, their airbag would not deploy. I am frustrated that this is a known, common safety issue that affects my model and year of car, but my VIN is not included on the recall list. I would expect that my car should also be included in the recall and fixed by the dealer at their expense as it is clearly documented many times on other 2018 Subaru Foresters.
STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-14
- VIN: JF2SJABC3JH
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: LCA lower control arm front bushing on Right and Left front for 2018 Subaru Forester is a known issue with EVERY Forester. Mine had only 55K miles when the Right Front started shaking and now the left is doing so and I am only at 60K miles!!
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-05
- VIN: JF2SJGWC3JH
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Starting up the car in the morning after a long day stuck in traffic (over 100 degree F weather), moved about 5 feet then the eyesight system stopped working, rear braking stopped, and power steering gave out - the car started and the engine ran normally. The car was abandoned as unsafe until diagnostics could be performed and a different car was used to get around . That evening the car started up fine, also the next morning to reproduce conditions. Tested the battery, which showed "good" (93% charge/40%healthy). I suspect that, in the morning the A/C, headlights, radio, backup lights, etc... put a large draw on the electrical system resulting in a system wide shutdown of adaptive features - However loss of power steering is insane and can easily result in death if it happens while driving especially while making a turn if the driver is not prepared/strong enough to force it. The linking of non-critical system to help the driver to an essential system is just asking for trouble.
AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-26
- VIN: JF2SJAGC0JH
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: The passenger seat, passenger air bags, and occupant detection system are failing. YES! Available for inspection. Passenger occupants are put at risk riding in my passenger seat as the seat does not detect if the seatbelt is on, or even if someone is sitting in the seat. The AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN INTENDED! Issue was first brought to [XXX] at Subaru in Pasco WA, where they “could not do anything because it was not YET a recall.” As of [XXX], it has been confirmed by an ISC (Subaru of Hermiston, OR) My vehicle has been there since!!! They have not been able to fix the issue or get the part. There is no date of when the part is expected to available. We have been working with Subaru Customer Advocates who have extended my loaner car out 30 days, but after that. I will be OUT OF A SAFE vehicle. I have three children and NEED my passenger seat to be working effectively and SAFELY! Yes, there were warning lights that came on. The lights were on the dash. The red square with an “i” next to odometer and a red passenger air bag symbol below the other light that popped up. I have pictures and videos dated between June 2023 to March 2024 of the lights coming on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-11
- VIN: JF2SJAGC3JH
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 2018 Subaru Forester has another cracked windshield. I do not drive this car a lot and all of a sudden there is a crack. It happened in 2021 too, it is exactly in the same spot this time. Subaru refused to fix it the last time, so I am not expecting them to fix it this time. This is not safe to drive when there is a crack like that. It is a matter of time before someone gets hurt or even worse because of the faulty windshield.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-25
- VIN: JF2SJAWC5JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was intermittently flashing on the instrument panel with or without an occupant seated in the front passenger’s seat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; the diagnostic test discovered that the occupant detection system mat was defective and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags) which was linked to the failure; however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-10
- VIN: JF2SJAWC3JH
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The air conditioning stops working in warm weather posing a health hazard.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-27
- VIN: JF2SJALC2JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I receive a warning light and the passenger air bag does not turn on when I have a passenger in the front seat.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-06
- VIN: JF2SJGWC3JH
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: Lower control arm bushing initial stages of premature failure. Issue is a known common defect. No safety incident yet, but potential for steering and control issues while driving. Bushing crack was discovered during brake inspection at 45k miles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: JF2SJAEC8JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Airbag on passenger side stopped working last November . Subaru says it’s the switch in the seat and the seat needs replacing at a cost of approximately $1300. This should be part of the recall and be paid for by Subaru.
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-04
- VIN: JF2SJAGC6JH
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Component: EyeSight Camera motherboard failure due to cold weather (Code B28B3). Possibly an improper conformal coating that is susceptible to cracking or building moisture which then freezes and cracks components of the camera system. Safety Concern: It appears this is common in Subaru EyeSight systems for all models years 2017-2019. A local mechanic shop (Fairbanks, AK) has seen these systems fail repeatedly in our winter climate. I find this concerning that the system that has the ability to control steering and breaking is susceptible to what we consider normal winter climates. Subaru has been vague on the cause of this issue. Reproduced: Yes, this is known and not uncommon per the Subaru Dealer Service Center and an independent local shop. Inspected: Yes the vehicle has been inspected by Kendall Subaru of Fairbanks AK. Warning Lights: No warning before failure. Currently the display shows "EyeSight" in bold indicating the EyeSight system is non functional.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-15
- VIN: JF2SJAGC0JH
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Not sure why my car is not being recalled for occupant detection harness. Subaru telling me it’s the vin number, that’s not the problem it’s I have a defective harness according to Subaru product bulletin wud-98r harness with date prior to 18074 is defective and needs to be replaced free of charge. My harness has a date of 17293. My car has all the criteria of the recall. This started back in April 2020 with warning light on and off same with airbag indicator. Now the warning light is on constantly and airbag is off constantly
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: JF2SJGWC2JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Vehicle Airbag light on Dash and is available for inspection upon request. Safety is at risk due to Airbag SRS system being disabled and bas will not deploy due to malfunctioning component. Vehicle has the symptoms of "Subaru recalled certain 2015-2018 Foresters equipped with heated seats, due to faulty wiring in an airbag sensor. If the wire's connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. This was remedied by replacing the ODS (Occupant Detection Sensor) in the passenger seat. Vehicle will be brought to dealer for inspection, however, myself and others on forums with 2018 Subaru foresters with heated seats apparently fall outside of the recall, but experience the same issue. Warning lamps appeared and system was scanned, airbag module tested ok.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-17
- VIN: JF2SJAWC0JH
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: After ice storm and after car was cleaned of any ice, The emergency braking appeared to be confused by the ice on the road. I decided to not go forward once I was on the street as it seemed to slick and tried to back up to my house to get into my driveway which is on a slope. In reverse, the brakes kept slamming on after a foot or two and I would lose momentum and slide forward. I ended up having to drive forward around the block forward to get back to my house. The eyesight system seems to get confused very easily when there are icy reflections or snow on the road.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-02
- VIN: JF2SJARC7JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The passenger airbag warning light had appeared intermittently but now is continuous, indicating that the passenger airbag will not function when someone is seated there. The car was taken to the dealer and I was told that the seat bottom would need to be replaced. There is a recall WUM-98 on this very issue for 2018 Foresters with heated seats which my car has. Neither the dealer nor Subaru of America has explained to me why my car is not included in this recall. This is a serious passenger safety issue and the recall should be expanded since it is clearly a vehicle defect.
2018 Subaru Forester recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2018 Subaru Forester.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2018 Subaru Forester car reviews
Positive 2018 Subaru Forester car reviews
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We needed a vehicle that could handle winter conditions on our hill, while also accommodating our camping, hiking, and biking trips. Although we lost some space when we sold our minivan for this, it still has plenty of storage. The console could be a little bigger, but it is deep. However, the console that serves as an elbow rest is short and not very usable if the seat is forward. It is very easy to fold down the seats and we love the sun/moon roof. The turning radius is great, but we haven't had the chance to take it off-road yet. It has plenty of pickup and although the auto climate control is a little tricky to figure out, we still think it is a much better buy with better visibility than a Santa Fe Hyundai, Ford Escape, Honda, or Chevy Equinox, as well as the Nissan Rogue and even the Subaru Outback.
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Overall, this is a great car with tremendous safety features. However, the climate controls and entertainment system can be a bit tricky to use and may require some visual attention, which can be distracting while driving. Despite this, the car performs exceptionally well in deep snow and my impression of it has not changed after 18 months. The 'Eyesight' feature has saved me many times and I feel confident and safe while driving this car.
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This car is truly amazing! It looks and feels refined compared to the earlier iterations of this generation (2014-2016 really). I'm not sure why people say that the acceleration is slow, I think the acceleration is amazing, especially for a car this size. It can go from 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds or so, which is amazing for an SUV. The fuel economy is great too! Depending on your speed on the highway, you can expect anywhere from 32mpg just driving normally, all the way up to 45mpg if you keep it steady and not go too fast (60, maybe even as low as 55mph). So, you can really hypermile the thing if you have the time on long car trips. Of course, this is only after the break-in period once the CVT adjusts to your driving habits. The design on the outside is nice but not overdone or overly exciting. It won't turn heads, but it in no way looks bad. The interior design and quality are great, and the infotainment is pretty good too. It has Pandora, Aha, optional XM radio, as well as Subaru Starlink which gives you access to a few cool things like weather, news, parking spots, and a few other things. The only downside is that it doesn't have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which might be a dealbreaker for more tech-oriented drivers. However, this doesn't really bother me. Only real complaint is the front seats during long car rides. Not sure how they screwed this up, but the curve of the seat makes your tailbone start to really ache after a few hours of driving. It might just be me because I'm pretty tall, but just a pillow fixes it for me. The car has best-in-class visibility, which you really appreciate now that other SUVs are trying to look like sports cars. Coupled with responsive steering and a good backup camera, it makes for a surprisingly good car for parallel parking if you do that a lot. It's very durable and has 9 inches of ground clearance + renowned Subaru AWD, so snow, rain, and even a bit of off-roading is no problem at all. Honestly, this is a great car that goes above and beyond for what it sets out to do. I can't recommend it enough!
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We had a 2010 Forester Limited and absolutely loved its safety and reliability in all weather conditions. However, we weren't too thrilled with the engine and the 4-speed automatic transmission. When our daughter inherited the car, we decided to purchase a 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0 with all the bells and whistles. That car was incredibly fast, fun, and versatile. Our son inherited it, and we were on the hunt for a compact SUV that was as safe and reliable as the Forester and as fast and fun as the Escape. And we found it! The 2018 turbocharged Forester XT touring is a race car in disguise and an absolute joy to drive on the highway or in the city. The 8-speed CVT in sport mode shifts like butter and accelerates almost as fast as a Tesla. This car is a wolf in sheep's clothing and an incredible value. Now, you may be thinking that the Navi is a TomTom and it doesn't have Android or Apple capabilities. But we don't need those features since we actually look outside while we're driving and listen to Sirius XM all the time anyways. This is the best-built (made in Japan), safest, and sportiest SUV we've ever owned or seen on the car market for a reasonable price. For car enthusiasts who love driving, you can't go wrong. If you spend all your time on your cellphone or looking at your infotainment system in your car, you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
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I replaced my car due to difficulty getting in and out, and the Forester has been an excellent choice. The large door and perfect height make it easy to access. Although I have only had the car for three weeks, I can say that the comfort, safety, and technology are all excellent. The only minor issue I have encountered is that the extra USB and access ports are located in an awkward spot inside the seat divider storage, making them almost impossible to reach easily. However, I still love everything about the car, especially the CD player, which is becoming increasingly rare. The car runs well, is very comfortable, and has very easy-to-fold-down rear seats. The safety features are also a plus. The only two minor complaints I have are that fueling is inconvenient, as you need to pull a lever next to the driver's seat and unscrew the gas cap, and there is not much storage space in the front. Overall, I still love the car, and I can live with the minor issues.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Subaru Forester problems:
2018 Subaru Forester, experiences? | Subaru Forester Owners Forum
Jun 4, 2021 ... Head gasket problems are a thing of the past. The only strange winter phenomenon is that Eyesight can mistake snow plow tracks for center lines, ...
2018 Forester reliability? : r/SubaruForester
Feb 6, 2019 ... 2018 Forester reliability? · Radio updates galore. I think they recalled all the 2018s now. · Steering rack "Rattle noise" - with the engine ...
2018 Subaru Forester Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Subaru Forester? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Any known issues with newer gen (2018) Foresters? | Subaru ...
Sep 30, 2018 ... None suffer catastrophic failure. A small percentage use oil. Personally, I think the Subaru non-turbo are not very robust engines..That is ...
2018 Subaru Forester Problems Include Non-deploying Airbags ...
Apr 21, 2022 ... The 2018 Subaru Forester Has Three Recalls Covering a Mislabeled Sticker, Faulty Fuel Pump, and Failing Airbag Sensor. So far, the 2018 Subaru ...
Other years of Subaru Forester
Are you having problems with your 2018 Subaru Forester?
Adolf Gerlach 2024-09-20
I purchased a brand new 2018 manual transmission Forester and have diligently maintained it according to schedule. Despite this, I have already had to spend $1000 on the front axle, $2100 on new catalytic converters, and $350 on the front control arm. Currently, I am experiencing a knocking sound in the lower engine. In my opinion, it may be more worthwhile to invest in a Toyota instead. For instance, my Toyota has already clocked 279k miles without any major repairs.
Abe Rice 2024-08-25
We were really looking forward to using this car, especially for its safety features. However, we noticed some issues shortly after purchasing it. For instance, the RPM would randomly jump to 4000 and above, even when using cruise control without any other cars being in sight. We also experienced some problems with the running lights not coming on in spite of the 'auto' setting. Additionally, the blind spot detector failed to notice full sized trucks coming up behind us on two occasions, yet it detected a non-existing vehicle in an empty parking lot. The lift gate also closed on my husband's arm twice. We were surprised to learn that the car is designed to roll backwards when shifting from reverse to drive, according to the mechanics. We also found that when turning on the inside air button, the AC would come on even in freezing weather. The GPS would freeze frequently, and the only way to restart it was to turn off the car. Lastly, we had some issues with the infotainment system changing radio stations by itself or locking up altogether. Unfortunately, none of these issues could be reproduced in the shop. As a result, we have decided to sell the car.
Joesph Mante 2024-07-07
Hi there! I recently brought my 18 Forester Black edition to the dealership because I noticed a high pitch whining sound when I turned on the fan or AC, and the front driver window vibrated when I put it down or up. The dealership informed me that it was a blown motor, but thankfully it will be repaired under warranty. They also mentioned that the window just needs to be lubricated. Thanks for your help!
Orval Brekke 2024-03-15
The car is fine, but we have experienced several issues with the ignition steering lock. When this occurs, it becomes difficult to turn the key and start the car. You have to twist the steering wheel very hard while attempting to turn the key. Despite our concerns, the dealer has informed us that the car is working as intended and that this is not a problem.
Spencer Durgan 2024-02-13
Hi there! I noticed that I am unable to listen to the radio and receive voice navigation commands through my phone in this car. I've had this technology for over 10 years in other cars I've owned, so I was surprised to find that it wasn't available in this one. I can only get voice commands in the Bluetooth setting, which is a bit inconvenient. It seems like the folks at Subaru didn't consider that their buyers might want to listen to local radio for weather, traffic, or local news. I might have to resort to using my old Tom-Tom and suction cup it to the window. Thanks for listening!