Subaru Forester 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Forester 2018 and 498 complaints filed by owners. It has 45% more complaints than the average Subaru Forester from 2016–2025 (344 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Subaru Forester 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Subaru Forester 2018
Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 2021-07-29
What happens
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.
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Air bags
NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · 2019-10-03
What happens
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.
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Tires
NHTSA campaign 18V455000 · 2018-07-10
What happens
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."
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
498 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
26 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 9 injuries
Most reported problems on the Subaru Forester 2018
- Wipers: 135 (27% of complaints)
- Air bags: 90 (18% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 63 (13% of complaints)
- Engine: 32 (6% of complaints)
- Seats: 30 (6% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Subaru Forester 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Test every wiper speed and the washer.
- The air bag light should come on for a second at start-up and go off. Confirm by VIN that air bag recalls were done.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Subaru Forester recalls by year
- 2016 : 3 recalls · 415 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recalls · 587 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 498 complaints
- 2019 : 3 recalls · 834 complaints
- 2020 : 0 recalls · 601 complaints
- 2021 : 0 recalls · 210 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 98 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recalls · 74 complaints
- 2024 : 2 recalls · 29 complaints
- 2025 : 3 recalls · 97 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Subaru Forester 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls issued for the Subaru Forester 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Subaru Forester 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: wipers (135 of 498 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).