Diagsheet

Fourth generation (SJ)

2018 Subaru Forester

  • 493owner complaints
  • 3recalls
  • 26involved a crash
  • 20,000median miles at failure

Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2018 Subaru Forester
Photo: OSX, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 153 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Seat belt or seat problems36 reports
Airbag warning light or recall96 reports
Windshield cracks or distorts153 reports
Battery dies or the car will not start43 reports
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early14 reports
Suspension noise, struts or alignment15 reports
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails19 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

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    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2018 Subaru Forester493
        Median 2018 model here (28 vehicles)662
        Median 2018 SUV here (15)666

        493 complaints is 1.3 times fewer than the median 2018 model on this site and 1.4 times fewer than the median 2018 SUV. Among the 11 Forester model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        317
        3418
        6919
        8920
        9621
        7122
        4623
        3424
        2925
        2226

        96 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        PE19-009opened Aug 6, 2019
        Airbags · model years 2016 to 2018

        Occupant detection system (ods) failure. Closed jan 22, 2020, led to recall 19V-701.

        NHTSA summary
        The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full-sized, small stature, a child seat or other object. The complaints reported the ODS failed to operate properly, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated, and/or the ODS incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied by a full-sized passenger. In a frontal crash that is sufficient to warrant deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On August 14, 2019 ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Subaru requesting information on the subject vehicles and MY 2014-2015 Subaru Forester vehicles.On October 3, 2019, Subaru submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the passenger-side front airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) harness of 366,282 MY 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with seat heaters.The DIR stated that over time, due to a decrease in contact pressure between the terminals in the ODS sensor mat harness, a temporarily unstable electrical connection may be possible. If the connection is temporarily unsta

        Recalls that include the 2018 Subaru Forester

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        21V-587Jul 29, 2021
        Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: 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.
        19V-701Oct 3, 2019
        Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: 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.
        18V-455Jul 10, 2018
        Tires

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: 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.

        Other model years

        20143642015606201641120175842018493201983320205982021207202297202373202590