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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-SUBARU-FORESTER
2018 · subaru

subaru Forester problems

2 safety recalls. 481 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

visibility
146 reports · avg $350
moderate
airbags
80 reports · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
65 reports · avg $850
moderate
steering
24 reports · avg $700
severe
cruise control
21 reports · avg $600
severe
powertrain
18 reports · avg $2,500
severe
engine
14 reports · avg $3,100
severe
suspension
11 reports · avg $900
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Forester · airbags
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…
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292320.0
2018 Forester · visibility
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED, ENGINE WAS OFF, NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED FROM BASE OF WINDSHIELD UP ABOUT 5 INCHES. THERE WAS NO CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I PARKED THE CAR. THERE WAS NO ROCK CHIP ON THE WAY UP. I LOOKED CLOSELY AT THE CRACK…
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385597.0
2018 Forester · engine
We were driving at 70mph on the freeway, left lane, and suddenly the car lost power as if the fuel pump went out. We had to suddenly get over to the shoulder of the freeway, almost got hit, then limped along the shoulder until we called a tow truck which towed us 40 miles to…
12/29/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632993.0
2018 Forester · visibility
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 .
12/29/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11291854.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
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$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 18V455000 10/07/2018

Subaru of America, Inc

Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V701000 03/10/2019

Subaru of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2018 Subaru Forester reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 481 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Subaru Forester has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 146 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Subaru Forester?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 481 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 15 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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