Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2018 Subaru Forester has 3 recalls, 480 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
3
Recalls
480
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
21V587000
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 Toy...
19V701000
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 p...
18V455000
TIRES
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, t...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2018 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2026 | ENGINE | The A/c compressor seized up causing the belt to break. Looked up online and it seems it's a common ... |
| Feb 1, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES | The CVT parking brake switch has failed. The failure leads to the inability to remove the key from t... |
| Jan 10, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The AC compressor needs replaced and I see a lot of complaints on-line about this specific model- 20... |
| Nov 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The defect presents itself when the equipped data communications module (DCM) attempts to communicat... |
| Oct 31, 2025 | SUSPENSION | I was driving on the interstate when car started vibrating and making a terrible sound. Dealership a... |
| Sep 3, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Air bag warning light comes on intermittently so passenger air bag system is off. |
| Sep 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Airbag light comes on due to some failure in the passenger seat. This vehicle year has had a recall ... |
| Aug 22, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | While driving the vehicle I began to hear a loud grinding noise from the engine compartment when the... |
| Aug 15, 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Unknown |
| Aug 1, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The AC compressor/condesor needs replaced and I see a lot of complaints on-line about this specific ... |
| Jul 11, 2025 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | I would like to bring your attention to an issue I recently had experienced concerning my 2018 Subar... |
| Jul 6, 2025 | WHEELS | Wheel studs are of inferior quality, which leads to galling. Replacement of a wheel results in snap... |
| Jul 3, 2025 | SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | My drivers side seatbelt broke in a minor fender bender and was replaced. |
| Jun 19, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Yesterday 6/19/25 I was driving out the driveway when the vehicle accelerated on its own, and not sl... |
| Jun 1, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The defect presents itself when the equipped data communications module (DCM) attempts to communicat... |
| May 27, 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | Subaru recall WUM98 was issued in 2019 to replace the ODS harness on my 2018 Subaru Forester. The pa... |
| May 4, 2025 | AIR BAGS | Intermittent failure of occupant detection system on front passenger seat which turns off airbag eve... |
| Apr 9, 2025 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS | Passenger front seat. Airbag light is on when someone is sitting in the seat and seatbelt indicator... |
| Apr 4, 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked sitting parked matching Subaru TSB 12-192-15R except model of vehicle and Subar... |
| Apr 1, 2025 | AIR BAGS | I am the second owner of this vehicle and lately my passenger airbag sometimes doesn’t turn on due t... |