The Lemon Index2018 Subaru Forester.
The 2018 Subaru Forester is worse than average by owner complaints: 291 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 166, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about wipers & visibility, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 28 mpg combined. The best Subaru Forester year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester, 22.4M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring357K views
How to Replace Headlight Bulbs - Subaru Forester (2014-2018)Virar Automotive · 156K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service252K views
Project 2014 Forester: Replacing The Old CVTF (Full Service), Clearing Adaptives, & Learn Process!MrSubaru1387 · 178K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension250K views
2017 Subaru Forester Rear Wheel Bearing ReplacementThePracticalMechanic · 183K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter140K views
Changing CVT Transmission Fluid 2017 Subaru ForesterHomegrown Country Homeplace · 140K views
Show 2 more
- Death wobble & steering75K views
Project 2014 Forester: Fix Horn, Steering Wheel Controls, Etc. Easy DIY Clock Spring Replacement!MrSubaru1387 · 75K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x459K views
How to Replace Front CV Axle Assemblies 2014-2018 Subaru ForesterTRQ · 59K views
Before you buy, watch
USED Subaru Forester (4th Gen) - Common problems and should you buy one? | ReDriven used car reviewReDriven · 296K views
Top 5 Problems Subaru Forester SUV 2014-2018 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 183K views
Should You Buy a SUBARU FORESTER? (Test Drive & Review 2014 2.0D)High Peak Autos · 155K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 498 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Forester year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 30K miles on the car (242 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- wipers & visibility complaints mostly came at 8K–29K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 5K–31K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 3K–45K miles
Recalls 3
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- airbags 2019
An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- tires 2018
The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 411 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Service Information bulletin provides a revised Step to follow when diagnosing a DTC…
- This bulletin announces availability of a new HVAC blower motor unit assemblies developed to…
- This Service Information Bulletin is in response to several battery sensor replacements resulting
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedOccupant detection system (ods) failure2019–2020
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Defective windshield. No stones or rocks hit it. Just started cracking in numerous locations from cold weather. Seemed like it cracked when the defroster was put on in cold weather. Cracks everywhere.
2018 Subaru Forester owner · NHTSA complaint 11309658
More owner reports
Windshield cracked in one spot, then the crack spread throughout the entire windshield. Had to get the entire windshield replaced.
NHTSA complaint 11329873
Driving in a highway at around 45-50 mph, heard a sound, and windshield was cracked for more than 12 inches long.
NHTSA complaint 11354013
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 166; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Forester year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Forester problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (39%), airbags (18%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Forester have?
3 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Forester get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Subaru Forester safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Forester problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 30,000 miles. The middle report was at 16,000 miles, from 242 complaints.
Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 5% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Subaru Forester cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Subaru Forester have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Forester year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2011 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works