2018 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Subaru Forester: 3 recalls, 498 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment, Tires Vehicle recall #18V455000 · 2018 · 3,654 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V701000 · 2019 · 366,282 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V587000 · 2021 · 175,968 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility/Wiper (135): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), electrical failure (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Airbags (99): the most common themes are warning light on (37), fails to deploy (10).
- Other / unknown (84): the most common themes are electrical failure (10).
- Electrical (71): the most common themes are electrical failure (48), stalls / loses power (16), won't start (11).
The 2018 Subaru Forester has 498 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (2.2× the average Forester year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (96 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 16,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (588 complaints, 1 recalls), 2019 (833 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 27 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Subaru Forester.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 498 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (135), airbags (99), other / unknown (84).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AV-S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.