Due to incomplete repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles previously repaired under the WQK-47 (14V-311) brake line corrosion recall prior to the December 23, 2014 WQK-47 recall bulletin revision. The revisions to the bulletin are for part number changes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Subaru Forester suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 91 |
| 2015 Forester | 64 |
| 2016 Forester | 10 |
| 2017 Forester | 8 |
| 2018 Forester (this page) | 11 |
| 2019 Forester | 6 |
| 2021 Forester | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Lower control arm bushings are the main problem—they wear out prematurely in 2018 Subaru Foresters, usually between 18,000 and 55,000 miles. One owner who drives only 4,000 miles per year needed bushings replaced; another with 46,000 miles had both front bushings done. When they go bad, owners feel violent vibration and shaking at highway speeds, hear loud clunking from the front when turning into driveways at 5 mph, and experience steering wheel shake that compromises control. In at least one case, the failed bushing had no warning light—the owner discovered it during brake service.
Dealers confirm these failures but have little to offer: technicians tell owners that since the bushings are rubber, they'll likely fail again. Some shops can't even preserve the failed parts for inspection. A few owners report the issue on public Subaru forums, suggesting it's known. One case involved a wheel bearing failure at 18,000 miles on a vehicle purchased new. At least one vehicle showed ball joint rust by 50,000 miles. Owners across multiple complaints say they've seen this pattern repeated on these model-year Foresters, yet Subaru has not issued a recall or provided any manufacturer assistance beyond diagnosis.
Same Subaru Forester suspension reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Lower control arm bushings - premature wear and failure
Rubber bushings on lower control arms wear out prematurely, causing the arm to develop play and lose structural integrity. Owners report this happens well before normal service life, with confirmed cases as early as 18,000 miles and most appearing between 45,000-55,000 miles despite light use in some cases.
When: 18,000 to 55,000 miles; some vehicles with only 4,000 miles per year over three years
Symptoms owners cite: Violent vibration and shaking at highway speeds (above 70 mph); Loud clunking noise from front end, especially over bumps or when turning into driveway at low speed; Steering wheel shaking, compromised steering response; Vehicle wobbling; Difficulty maintaining vehicle alignment
Codes mentioned: Worn lower control arm bushings confirmed by dealer technicians
Repairs/costs cited: Bushings replaced at dealer; technician advised rubber bushings will likely fail again. One vehicle with 46k miles needed both front lower control arm bushings replaced. Worn bushings often not available for inspection after repair—shops dispose of failed parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case with no further assistance provided. No recalls issued. Owners report this appears to be a known issue discussed in public Subaru forums.
Front wheel bearings - premature failure
Wheel bearings, particularly on the left side, fail well before normal service intervals. One owner reported replacement needed at only 18,000 miles on a vehicle purchased new.
When: Under 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Worn wheel bearing condition detected during routine service
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel bearing replacement performed at 18,000 miles on new vehicle.
Ball joints - suspected premature wear
Owners report ball joint rust and wear, though some dealer diagnostics attribute front-end clunking to other causes. One independent shop noted ball joints were rusted at 50,000 miles.
When: Around 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking from front end over bumps and at low speed; Rusted appearance noted by independent shop
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle inspected by dealer; not repaired at that time.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 20,000 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.