This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
View on NHTSA →2018 Subaru Forester powertrain problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
View on NHTSA →This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
View on NHTSA →This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
View on NHTSA →This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Subaru Foresters describe widespread CVT transmission problems. The most consistent complaint is hesitation or lag during low-speed acceleration from stops—the car sits at 2,000 RPM but won't move for 3–5 seconds, then suddenly jerks forward. On highways and during lane merges, owners report rough lurching and unpredictable acceleration. Several owners experienced stalling without warning; one reported transmission lockup at 60 mph in rain, causing the vehicle to spin into oncoming traffic. Metal shavings in the transmission oil pan confirmed internal wear in at least one case.
Unintended acceleration incidents appear across multiple ownership scenarios: vehicles surging forward during parking maneuvers, vehicles moving backward without driver input, and surges with only light throttle input. These events caused collisions with buildings and fences; airbags failed to deploy in one crash. No warning lights preceded any of these events.
An A/C condenser failure causing refrigerant leak occurred very early (around 1,200 miles). One owner discovered a cracked catalytic converter at 92,000 miles allowing exhaust vapor into the cabin. Rear wheel bearings required replacement at 65,000 miles. Subaru issued a CVT warranty extension to 10 years/100,000 miles in October 2018, but some owners report dealers have denied coverage despite the program.
Same Subaru Forester powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission jerking, hesitation, and loss of power
Owners report the continuously variable transmission exhibiting hesitation during low-speed acceleration, sudden jerking or lurching during merging and lane changes, stalling, erratic acceleration, and complete loss of power while driving. Multiple owners report the condition occurs without warning lights and can create serious safety hazards at traffic lights, parking situations, and highway speeds.
When: Primarily at low mileage (4,700–42,000 miles); one case at 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or lag before transmission engages during slow acceleration from stops; Jerking and lurching, especially on highway merging; Stalling without warning; Erratic, uncontrolled acceleration; Vehicle surges forward with light pedal input; Engine revs but car will not move for 3–5 seconds; No warning lights or diagnostic codes visible to owner
Codes mentioned: Mass airflow event (found during dealer diagnostics in one case), Metal particles in CVT oil pan (indicating internal wear)
Repairs/costs cited: CVT replacement under powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles) in covered cases. One owner reports remanufactured transmission installed but problems persisted. Subaru dealer unable to replicate problems during test drives in several cases despite owner reports of safety hazards.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued a warranty extension to 10 years/100,000 miles for CVT failures on 2018 Forester (announced October 2018). Owner reports indicate Subaru customer service acknowledged CVT problems existed for at least two weeks before warranty extension notice. One owner denied warranty coverage despite extended warranty program existence.
Unintended acceleration in parking and low-speed maneuvers
Multiple owners report the vehicle accelerating suddenly and without warning during parking maneuvers or gentle low-speed acceleration. Incidents have resulted in collisions with buildings, fences, and restraining walls. No warning lights or sounds preceded the events, and owners report normal pedal input or, in some cases, no pedal input at all.
When: Various mileages (4,000–65,000 miles); one owner had owned vehicle for only 2 months with 1,200 miles driven
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, uncontrolled forward acceleration while parking or making gentle lane adjustments; Vehicle surges forward with light pedal input; Vehicle surges backward when shifted to Reverse after initial forward surge; Vehicle moves forward while foot was on brake pedal during idle on incline; Vehicle revs high and drives forward while driver was not in vehicle and accelerator pedal not depressed; No warning lights, sounds, or messages before event
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in complaints; damage repaired through insurance and body shops. Airbags failed to deploy in at least one collision.
Engine stalling and loss of power while driving
Owners report the engine stalling or losing power suddenly while driving at highway speeds or in traffic, with no prior warning. In one case at 60 mph in heavy rain, the transmission locked up, causing the vehicle to spin across lanes into oncoming traffic. Restart is possible but incidents create immediate safety hazards.
When: Low to moderate mileage (not always specified); one case at 4,700 miles with new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling without warning at highway speeds (60 mph) and city speeds; Transmission lockup while driving; Vehicle loses power and becomes uncontrollable; Vehicle stalls in stop-and-go traffic; No warning lights or indicator illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics inconclusive in most cases; unable to replicate during test drives. One dealer promised investigation but no repair documented.
A/C condenser failure with refrigerant leak
Owner reported A/C stopped working on highway. Dealer diagnosis identified a leaking condenser requiring replacement. One owner noted the A/C problem is a known issue.
When: Very low mileage (1,200 miles owner-reported in one case); another case after 2 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: A/C stops functioning; Refrigerant leak from condenser
Repairs/costs cited: Condenser replacement performed under extended warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recognized as a known problem by dealership.
Rear wheel bearing failure
Owner reports rear wheel bearings requiring replacement at 65,000 miles on a vehicle less than 5 years old, representing premature failure.
When: 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Bearing wear requiring replacement
Cracked catalytic converter
Used vehicle owner discovered cracked catalytic converter during multi-point inspection at dealership after purchase. Dealer noted visual inspection revealed the defect. Failure allows exhaust vapors to leak into cabin, creating a safety hazard.
When: 92,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cracked catalytic converter; Exhaust vapor leakage into cabin; No warning lamps or messages
Tailgate release button malfunction
Owner reports tailgate release buttons (both in and out positions) were not working consistently, described as a repeat complaint.
When: Very early in ownership (1,200 miles; 2 months of ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate release buttons inconsistent operation
Vehicle shaking and violent vibration at highway speeds
Owner reports violent shaking and vibration when driving over 40 mph. Dealer attributed the failure to dirt and debris buildup in wheels and wheel wells, recommending power washing to prevent recurrence. Problem reported as especially severe in winter months with snow and mud buildup.
When: 2,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and vibration at 40+ mph; Shaking worse in winter with snow/mud buildup; Automatic brakes slam frequently when in reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended power washing wheels and wheel wells; no mechanical repair documented.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 19,678 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.