Fourth generation (SJ)
2018 Subaru Forester
The most reported problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester is windshield, with 153 complaints, usually around 21,000 miles.
- 495owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 26involved a crash
- 20,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Forester doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2018 Subaru Forester has 495 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.5 times the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Forester model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 55 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs close to the 2017 (59) and well under the 2019 (104).
- Top problem
- Windshield leads with 153 of the 495 complaints (31%), ahead of airbag at 97. A quarter of the 112 owners who gave a mileage for windshield saw it by about 11,000 miles, and half by about 21,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 28 of the 495 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 26 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 9 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (19V-701). Windshield and dead battery have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 96 and have dropped every year since, to 29 in 2025. So far in 2026, 24 more have come in.
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.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
495 complaints is 1.8 times the median 2018 model on this site and 1.5 times the median 2018 SUV. Among the 12 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.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Subaru Forester
Subaru filed 405 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Subaru Forester. 34 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 2 bulletins · 153 complaints
This bulletin announces a design change made to the front door glass run channels. Water can enter the run channels and cause a stick-slip (judder) condition to occur as the door glass opens and closes.
This bulletin provides a repair procedure for replacing the foam cushion installed between the top front edge of the IP and the windshield glass.
Battery dies or the car will not start 7 bulletins · 44 complaints
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi. In rare cases, customers may experience a dead battery as a result of the DCM continually trying to access the 3G network.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is extending the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from three years (36 months or 36K miles) to eight years (96 months or 100K miles), whichever comes first.
5 more on this problem
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
On Forester Turbo and applicable WRX models, after re-connecting the battery, if the ignition switch is turned back ?ON? within one minute after the first time the ignition is turned ?OFF?, it becomes possible for the CEL to illuminate storing DTC P0606 in ...
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM and address the following customer concerns: ? Check Engine light coming on (with DTC P05A0 stored in memory).
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 36 complaints
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
This Service Information Bulletin provides a revised troubleshooting procedure and tips to follow when diagnosing a DTC B1650- ?Occupant Classification System Malfunction?.
1 more on this problem
This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosis of Occupant Detection System (ODS) DTC B1760- Sensor Mat Abnormal and/or B1650- Occupant Classification System Malfunction.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 8 bulletins · 20 complaints
This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
This Service Information bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
6 more on this problem
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program to check and, if necessary, replace the air conditioning condenser assembly in certain 2017 and 2018 model year Forester vehicles.
This bulletin announces availability of new A/C compressor assemblies designed to address customer concerns of reduced system performance accompanied by a rattling and / or scraping type sound.
In the interest of providing continued customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Basic New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Condenser component of the Air Conditioning system on all 2017 and a limited number of 2018MY Forester ...
This bulletin announces availability of a new HVAC blower motor unit assemblies developed to address isolated concerns of the blower motor becoming inoperative. If this issues occurs on models with Auto A/C, the blower fan may become totally inoperative.
This bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for a chattering-type sound originating from the a/c compressor assembly.
This bulletin outlines design changes made to the Condenser Assembly to help increase productivity during assembly. In addition, the new part utilizes materials with increased anti-corrosion performance.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 15 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
5 more on this problem
This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed involving âGen 2â F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7â display.
This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2" display.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation system?s functionality.
Models with FujitsuTEN (F10) Gen 2.0 / 2.1 Navigation or Display Audio Head Units ONLY. This bulletin provides a repair procedure to address specific, confirmed customer concerns of: ? Audio output interruption every 2-3 seconds when listening to AM or FM ...
Subject: Removal of Certain Fujitsu 10 Audio / Navigation Update Files from Subarunet The following update files have been temporarily removed from Subarunet due to potential quality concerns with the 2nd file used in those updates.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 4 bulletins · 15 complaints
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, ...
This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
2 more on this problem
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.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the forward bushing used in the front lower control arm to address customer concerns of a rattle-type sound and / or a possible vibration felt in the steering wheel.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 14 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
Car won't start 1 bulletin · 14 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Complaints filed by year
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
Occupant detection system (ods) failure. Closed jan 22, 2020, led to recall 19V-701.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2018 Subaru Forester
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2018 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Subaru Forester?
Windshield, with 153 of the 495 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 21,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Forester problems start?
Of the 260 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 8,000 miles and half by about 20,000.
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has about as many complaints as the 2017 and fewer complaints than the 2019: 55 a year against 59 and 104.
How many 2018 Subaru Forester complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
28 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2018 Subaru Forester?
No recall on file for the 2018 Subaru Forester is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.