Owners have reported 25 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Forester. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints126
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report unexpected windshield cracking, often without any apparent impact or cause. Many describe cracks developing while the vehicle is parked or stationary, with some noting incidents occurring during routine activities like scraping ice or idling. Complaints indicate that these issues can arise at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 22,500 miles. Safety implications are noted by owners who express concern over the integrity of the windshield, though no crashes or loss of control incidents are reported. This pattern of windshield vulnerability is a key consideration for potential buyers evaluating the vehicle's durability.
Owner complaints79
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS), which often results in the passenger airbag being deactivated even when the seat is occupied. Common symptoms include the airbag warning light illuminating and messages indicating the airbag is off or the SRS system needs checking. Many complaints note these issues occurring intermittently, with some starting around 70,000 to 80,000 miles. Some owners mention their vehicles not being included in existing recalls despite experiencing similar problems, leading to significant out-of-pocket repair costs. The safety implications are notable, with two reported crashes and three injuries, highlighting the risk of the airbag not deploying in an accident.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints64
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Subaru Forester's electrical system, particularly involving battery drainage and ignition key problems. Many complaints highlight persistent battery drain, with some vehicles requiring multiple battery replacements within a short timeframe, often leaving drivers stranded. This issue is noted even in vehicles with low mileage, around 28,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of keys getting stuck in the ignition, attributed to contamination of the Park-Range switch. Safety implications include potential no-start conditions and concerns about being unable to secure the vehicle when the key cannot be removed. Buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical problems, which may incur additional maintenance costs.
Owner complaints59
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the windshield, citing spontaneous cracking, pitting, and chipping, often without any apparent cause, and these issues are noted both while parked and in use. Additionally, air conditioning failures are commonly mentioned, with symptoms including grinding noises, failure to cool, and compressor malfunctions, often occurring around 70,000 to 110,000 miles. Some complaints also highlight potential safety concerns, including unintended acceleration resulting in a crash and airbag warning light malfunctions. These reports indicate potential reliability concerns for used car buyers, particularly related to the windshield and air conditioning system.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints24
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving power steering failures and steering wheel locking. Symptoms include sudden loss of power steering functionality, steering wheel vibrations, and intermittent locking of the steering wheel, sometimes accompanied by warning lights or symbols. These issues are often reported around 50,000 to 90,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes potentially linked to unintended acceleration, although these are not conclusively attributed to steering issues. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential steering-related safety concerns when considering a used 2018 Forester.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints21
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report incidents of sudden unintended acceleration, often occurring at low speeds or when transitioning between drive and reverse. Symptoms include the vehicle accelerating without driver input, sometimes accompanied by a locked brake pedal or minimal steering control. These issues have been reported across a wide range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,100 miles. Safety implications are significant, with nine reports involving crashes and one injury. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they indicate a risk of loss of control and possible collisions.
Severity signals: 9 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints18
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the CVT transmission, including symptoms such as stalling, erratic acceleration, and lurching. These problems often occur at lower speeds and can lead to dangerous situations, with some reports noting sudden unintended acceleration resulting in crashes. Complaints typically arise within mileage ranges of 4,000 to 65,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as three complaints involve crashes and one reports an injury. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly the transmission-related problems and their impact on vehicle control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues related to sudden power loss, with complaints describing unexpected deceleration while driving at high speeds, often leading to hazardous situations on highways. These incidents are sometimes linked to catalytic converter failures, occurring around 85,000 miles. Additionally, some owners note ticking noises and reduced acceleration, which they suspect are due to premature AVCS solenoid failure. There are also reports of exhaust manifold issues, with leaks and exhaust fumes entering the cabin, particularly noticeable in cold weather. Safety implications are significant, as one owner reports a crash due to unintended acceleration after a car wash, and another describes an engine fire originating from the AC compressor. These patterns suggest potential safety risks and costly repairs, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the windshield, describing spontaneous cracking without apparent cause, with some cracks occurring as early as 12,000 miles. Additionally, several complaints involve uncommanded acceleration leading to crashes, with incidents occurring during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or backing out. Another reported issue involves the hood unexpectedly releasing while driving, although no crashes are directly attributed to this problem. These complaints highlight potential safety concerns, including loss of vehicle control and impaired visibility.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with unintended acceleration when pressing the brake pedal, with some incidents leading to crashes. Complaints describe situations where the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly, causing drivers to apply extra force to the brakes or shift to neutral to prevent collisions. Additionally, several owners mention the brake pedal becoming spongy or traveling to the floor, particularly after driving for some time. These issues are often reported around 35,000 to 38,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control and crashes, although no injuries have been reported.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
