2018 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

The 2018 Subaru Forester has 3 safety recalls and 500 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

500

Crashes / fires

26 / 1

Injuries / deaths

9 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Subaru Forester recalls

Recall 21V-587: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jul 29, 2021 · 175,968 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-701: Air Bags

Reported Oct 3, 2019 · 366,282 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-455: Equipment, Tires

Reported Jul 10, 2018 · 3,654 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2018 Subaru Forester problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Visibility/Wiper	135
Air Bags	125
Unknown or Other	85
Electrical System	72
Engine	32
Seats	31
Vehicle Speed Control	30
Steering	25
Power Train	23
Visibility	22
Fuel/Propulsion System	19
Suspension	15

Most reported parts

Visibility › Windshield — 18
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification — 17
Structure › Body — 13
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger — 7
Lane Departure › Assist — 5
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 4
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Internal › Cvt — 2
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 16,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Subaru Forester complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Nov 11, 2026

I own a 2018 Subaru Forester with a current mileage of approximately 70,485 miles. The airbag warning light intermittently illuminates and then turns off, indicating a possible malfunction in the passenger-side Occupant Detection System (ODS). This issue occurs repeatedly and unpredictably, raising serious concerns about whether the front passenger airbag will deploy properly in a collision. On XXX, when the vehicle had 68,274 miles, I brought it to an authorized Subaru dealership, Grand Prix Subaru in [XXX], for diagnosis. The dealership identified a problem involving the front passenger seat…

Unknown or Other · reported Nov 7, 2026

Approximately a half dozen times since I bought my 2018 Subaru Forester Premium new in December of 2017 it has exhibited unintended acceleration, usually after I start it or travelling slowly, as when doing parking maneuvers. When this happens the car will suddenly lurch forward and the engine will roar, even when my right foot is firmly on the brake and no foot on the gas pedal (I use my right foot only on the pedals). The only way I've found to stop this problem is to turn the car off. Upon restarting the car, it drives normally again until this problem reoccurs, which may be weeks or months…

Air Bags · reported Oct 2, 2026

My SRS Airbag System warning light illuminated on the dashboard while driving. Subaru dealership service department informed me that the passenger airbag system occupant detection technology failed and the airbag function was disabled. The repair required replacement of the entire seat bottom.

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 2, 2026

The air conditioning system began blowing warm or hot air. Determined that the compressor failed and required replacement. Vehicle was purchased new from the dealership in Oct. 2018, with this issue arising at approximately 50k miles. This is apparently a common and known issue for 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. This is a hazard in hot weather such as I am in right now with outside temperatures at 90F or more.

Air Bags · reported Sep 22, 2026

The front passenger airbag of my Subaru Forester 2018 is deactivated, I brought my car to the Subaru dealer in white Plains, NY to check because I found out that there was a recall for malfunction of the airbag and I was told that I have to pay for it since the repair was already done, then, I have to pay for the repair ( see the estimated bill) I contacted the Subaru headquarters because I considered unfair, they air bag is still inactive and I am at risk of having an accident. Today I received a message from the DMV to renew my registration and I saw that my car is in a recall for the air…

Other Subaru Forester years

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Compare all Subaru Forester years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester: 21V-587 (fuel system, gasoline), 19V-701 (air bags), 18V-455 (equipment, tires). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Subaru Forester?

Owners report visibility/wiper problems most often (135 reports), followed by air bags (125). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 16,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.