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2018 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

3Safety recalls
485Owner complaints
5★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2018 Subaru Forester has 3 open NHTSA safety recalls and 485 owner complaints on file, with an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether the work was done and to verify mileage and title.

Safety record reviewed June 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2018 Subaru Forester has 3 open safety recalls and 485 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public safety record. To see whether a specific Forester had its recalls repaired and how its mileage and title check out, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign 21V587000 · 29/07/2021

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.

RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyDealers 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.
2

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign 19V701000 · 03/10/2019

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.

RiskIf 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.
RemedySubaru 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.
3

TIRES

Campaign 18V455000 · 10/07/2018

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."

RiskInstalling incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
RemedySubaru 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.

What owners complain about

The systems 2018 Subaru Forester owners report most often to federal regulators:

Visibility156
Wiper135
Air Bags89
Unknown Or Other82
Electrical System68
Engine31

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. The 2018 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check your specific VIN to see whether the work was completed.

What problems do 2018 Subaru Forester owners report?

Owners have filed 485 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Forester, most often about the visibility, wiper, air bags.

How do I check a specific Forester's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2018 Subaru Forester

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm its recalls, mileage and title.

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