NHTSA has received 498 owner complaints about the 2018 Subaru Forester, or 56.7 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.41, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #56 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 56% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 6% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2017-09-08 and 2026-10-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 16 days.
498Complaints
56.7Complaints per year on the road
1.41Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
5.4%Share involving a crash or fire
32Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 107.1 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 106 complaints, 24% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (30.9% of complaints), followed by Airbags & seat belts (18.1%) and Electrical (15.1%). Body & structure complaints are 3.4 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 27 reports (5.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 39 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (30% of incidents). In the last 12 months 32 new complaints were filed, versus 30 in the 12 months before — up 7%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure” (preliminary evaluation, opened 2019-08-06, closed 2020-01-22).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.41
vs. other Subaru models1.56
vs. other 2018 models1.2
vs. other Compact SUVs0.94
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (106)1.24
My drivers side seatbelt broke in a minor fender bender and was replaced.
Brakes · 2026-03-20 · ODI 11725931 · Crash
The AC compressor/condesor needs replaced and I see a lot of complaints on-line about this specific model- 2018 Forester. My kids and I were on a road trip in August 2025 when it stopped working.
Engine · 2026-02-03 · ODI 11715384
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.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768494
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.
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768616
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ODS failure.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-09-30 · ODI 11768155
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION Campaign 19V701000 · 2019-10-03
Summary: 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.
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.
Summary: 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.
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.
PE19009 · preliminary evaluation · AIR BAGS · Opened 2019-08-06 · Closed 2020-01-22 · Campaign 19V701000 · Model years: 2018
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as e…
