Vehicle was turning right into residential garage. Driver experienced sudden unintended acceleration and struck the wall of the garage, causing extensive damage to the structure and the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy, despite the fact that the vehicle struck the residence with sufficient force to shear several 2x6 studs and 1/2" osb siding. The front end of the vehicle sustained…
2018 Subaru Forester cruise control problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
9crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 21 cruise control complaints filed for the 2018 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report sudden, uncontrolled acceleration across all mileages from near-new to 47,000 miles. In the most severe incidents, the vehicle accelerates without driver input, brakes become unresponsive or require extreme pressure, and in some cases the steering wheel locks. Multiple owners describe near-fatal scenarios: running red lights in heavy traffic, jumping curbs, crashing through garage walls and house walls at parking speeds under 10 mph. Air bags consistently fail to deploy.
One owner reports the car launched forward after exiting a car wash at alarming speed; another describes four separate acceleration episodes during a single highway merge, requiring a burning-smelling vehicle to be towed. Dealers across multiple states have been unable to reproduce the faults or extract diagnostic codes from event data recorders. Subaru has opened case files and requested black-box data but provided no conclusive diagnosis or recall.
A related issue involves hesitation and power loss during acceleration—the car lurches above 40 mph, engine revs without responding, and transmission feels stuck. One owner reports excessive brake wear (from 70% to 10% in 3,000 miles) alongside chronically high idle and lurching when shifting into drive. The EyeSight collision-avoidance system has failed to prevent rear-end collisions in at least two documented incidents despite being active. No repairs or technical bulletins are mentioned in any narrative.
Same Subaru Forester cruise control reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden unintended acceleration—vehicle continues accelerating despite brake input
Vehicle accelerates without driver input and fails to slow when brakes are applied. Engine races at high RPM, brakes lock or become unresponsive, steering locks in some cases. Incidents occur at low speeds (parking, intersections, merge ramps) and highway speeds. Multiple owners report the car will only stop after extended brake pressure or wheel damage/impact.
When: Across all mileages: 1,100 miles, 4 miles, 18,000 miles, 26,000 miles, 31,000 miles, 47,000 miles. Incidents start as early as February 2019 on early 2018 models; cluster intensifies in 2020–2021.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surges to high RPM without foot on accelerator; Brake pedal unresponsive or requires extreme pressure to slow vehicle; Steering wheel locks or becomes immobile; Car continues forward despite brake application; Smell of burning odor reported; Air bags fail to deploy on impact
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report dealerships unable to reproduce issue or find diagnostic codes in event data recorder. One owner reported $15,000 damage to vehicle. Vehicles towed but not repaired; diagnosis pending at several dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru opened case files and requested black box data (case SR# 1-70302162357 mentioned). Technicians inspected vehicles but found no saved diagnostic codes. Manufacturer unable to provide conclusive diagnosis.
EyeSight system failure to engage or warn
EyeSight adaptive cruise/collision-avoidance system does not warn driver or prevent rear-end collisions when vehicle accelerates suddenly at low speeds. System briefly beeps in one incident but fails to prevent impact. Pre-incident complaints filed with dealership that EyeSight was not functioning correctly.
When: June 2, 2021 and September 6, 2021 (two separate incidents on same vehicle). Owners report complaints filed before incidents occurred.
Symptoms owners cite: EyeSight system does not engage warning tone until after acceleration begins; No collision prevention despite system being active; Owners complaint that system appeared non-functional prior to incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle rear-ended parked car in both incidents. Technician inspection found no saved diagnostic codes or event data.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service report filed SR# 1-70302162357. Technician sent to inspect; unable to find diagnostic codes.
Hesitation or loss of power during acceleration, inability to exceed 40 mph
Vehicle hesitates or lurches when accelerating, particularly above 40 mph on inclines or entering freeways. RPM increases but transmission feels stuck; engine makes loud noise. Some owners cannot overcome 40 mph threshold on flat roads. One owner reports hesitation at initial accelerator press followed by sudden launch.
When: Since latter half of 2020 (narrative #1). Narrative #19 reports failure at 4 miles. Narrative #20 reports inability to accelerate above idle during turn attempt.
Symptoms owners cite: Car jerks or lurches on acceleration, especially above 40 mph; Loud engine noise during hesitation; RPM increases without corresponding acceleration; Gear feels stuck or transmission noise present; Power loss when entering freeways or on slight inclines; Inability to maintain speed during merge onto freeway; Delayed response to accelerator input
Repairs/costs cited: Owners suspect CVT transmission issue. No repairs documented in narratives.
High idle and lurching in neutral/park, excessive brake wear
Vehicle idles high in park and neutral as if wanting to move. When shifted to drive, car lurches forward rapidly without brake or accelerator input. Driver applies brake at idle and after 3–5 seconds of high RPM (2,000–3,000 rpm), engine calms. Slight release of brake causes car to jolt forward. One owner reports brake pad wear from 7/10 to 1/10 within 3,000 miles between services, evident after 30,000 mile mark.
When: More frequent after 30,000 mile mark (narrative #6). Narrative #21 reports single incident at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: High idle in park and neutral; Sudden lurch forward when shifting to drive without accelerator input; Car jolts forward when brake is released slightly; High RPM cycling (2,000–3,000 rpm) while foot on brake; Excessive brake pad wear in short intervals; Engine calms after several seconds of revving
Repairs/costs cited: Rapid brake wear reported: went from 70% to 10% within 3,000 miles between services.
Cruise control independent acceleration with CVT
Vehicle accelerates independently while cruise control is engaged at various speeds, without warning. Acceleration lasts approximately 3 seconds before vehicle resumes normal operation. Distinct from manual acceleration issues; occurs with cruise active.
When: At approximately 31,000 miles (narrative #9). Incidents occurred before notification to manufacturer.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input while cruise control engaged; Approximately 3-second duration of uncontrolled acceleration; Resumes normal operation without intervention; No warning given
Repairs/costs cited: Two different Subaru dealers (Mark Miller Subaru in Salt Lake City and unknown dealer in Austin, Texas) were unable to provide conclusive diagnosis. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2018 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 11,490 and 31,000 miles, with the median around 19,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,490; a quarter make it past 31,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.