10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,432 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jun 132023

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front end collision with car making an illegal left in front of our Subaru. Our car hood, bumper, head lights, grill and parts of the engine were smashed, with liquid draining out of the engine. My husband (wearing a seatbelt) hit his knee and shoulder on impact. Airbags failed - Not a single airbag deployed. A police officer helped him move car parts out of the street. Safety was at risk because my husband hit the dash. Car is at an independent service center now. We need to know how to get it inspected. There were no warning lights on dash prior to impact.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #20

Oct 222022

Forester

  • miles
In June 2022 I purchased a 2018 Subaru Forester Turbo Touring at Carmax. Soon after purchase the car hesitated a few times when I was turning. I was turning in front of oncoming traffic and it scared the ___ out of me. So I returned the car to CarMax and bought a similar replacement which is the VIN reported to you in this report. After a couple of months, this car is now doing the same thing, generally when turning but sometimes when merging into traffic. I press the gas, the car moves a bit, then it just dies - there's nothing there, simply no response. It does not turn off, it is just powerless. Then a few seconds later it gets gas and we squeal to safety. However I am just dead in the water, usually in front of oncoming traffic, until it decides to move. Pumping the gas does not help. I took the first Subaru to CarMax for a check up but they found nothing wrong so I just returned it. I am taking the second one in in January. Because the problem is intermittent, it is hard to diagnose but there's definitely a terrifying problem. I thought I was going to die when I had that first one and now this one is developing the same problem. There are a few posts on Google about the same problem. Is there a recall" Have others reported the same problem" I would appreciate any feedback you might be able to provide.

- Benton, KS, USA

problem #19

Aug 202022

Forester

  • miles
I recently purchased a used Subaru Forester with about 92k miles. About two weeks after purchase, I took it to a Subaru dealership and a multi point inspection revealed a cracked catalytic converter. The tech stated that this was discovered by visual inspection. This failure causes a safety issue by leaking exhaust vapors into the cabin. This failure occurred with no warning lamps or messages/codes.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #18

Jun 032022

Forester

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over, stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. After the vehicle was started, smoke started coming from the vehicle while several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #17

May 042022

Forester

  • miles
Smelled car exhaust entering the cabin, took to dealer for inspection. Exhaust manifold part is actually warped and separated from the engine (not gasket issue). Apparently this problem is known by the dealer service shops, but is undisclosed by Subaru. I was feeling quite sick for weeks without understanding the cause, now I drive the car with the windows open and the vent closed and feel much better (I am waiting for the part to arrive so the dealer can fix the issue). I am an engineer and described the issue as a defect, the dealer hedged and said they are not allowed to call it a "defect" since that implies it needs a recall.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #16

Feb 112022

Forester

  • miles
I was driving on a normal roadway when a pulley began to make a loud screaming sound. Then I heard two loud pops. I pulled to the side of the road. I found a melted serpentine belt. I replaced the belt and began to drive at a low speed. I noticed the Vehicle started to sputter. I pulled over and checked the engine. When I opened the hood the AC compressor was sparking and 6-12 inch flames were shooting out. I turned off the engine and extinguished the fire. Vehicle operated like normal after replacing AC compressor. Concerned that it could have caught entire vehicle on fire. Condenser for same make and model is recalled but not for our specific vin. I have old AC pump as evidence. An argument could be made that my VIN should have been included in the recall.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #15

Sep 062021

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sudden unexplained acceleration incident. Car accelerated without input from driver and rear-ended a parked vehicle in front of the vehicle Eyesight system did not engage to warn or prevent impact with rear end of car in front. The vehicle was travelling at low speed and suddenly accelerated. This is dangerous because it does not provide enough time to prevent from hitting an object in front of the vehicle like a car or person. The problem has not been reproduced by by the manufacturer who sent a technician who inspected the vehicle and could not find any saved info in the event data recorder or saved diagnostics codes. Complaints were filed with the dealership before the incident that the eyesight system did not appear to be functioning correctly. The first time this has happened was 6/02/2021 in the afternoon on a clear day on a clear pathway without any obstructions. The second time this happened was 9/06/2021. The second incident the vehicle accelerated while travelling at lo speed with the eyesight system briefly warning tone beeping. The brakes were applied quickly and the carr seemed almost to stall. The engine made a noise as the stalling conditions ended and the car went back to normal. Subaru filed a service request previously. SR# 1-70302162357.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #14

Jun 022021

Forester

  • miles
Sudden unexplained acceleration incident. Car accelerated without input from driver and rear-ended a parked vehicle in front of the vehicle Eyesight system did not engage to warn or prevent impact with rear end of car in front. The vehicle was travelling at low speed and suddenly accelerated. This is dangerous because it does not provide enough time to prevent from hitting an object in front of the vehicle like a car or person. The problem has not been reproduced by by the manufacturer who sent a technician who inspected the vehicle and could not find any saved info in the event data recorder or saved diagnostics codes. Complaints were filed with the dealership before the incident that the eyesight system did not appear to be functioning correctly. The first time this has happened was 6/02/2021 in the afternoon on a clear day on a clear pathway without any obstructions. The second time this happened was 9/06/2021. The second incident the vehicle accelerated while travelling at low speed with the eyesight system briefly warning tone beeping. The brakes were applied quickly and the car seemed almost to stall. The engine made a noise as the stalling conditions ended and the car went back to normal. Subaru filed a service report SR# 1-70302162357. State Farm opened a claim 3620R756C.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #13

Jun 092021

Forester

  • miles
When applying gentle gas pressure at low speed car does not respond for 2-4 seconds, then lurches strongly forward as tho full throttle has been applied. Happens at random times. Dealer said nothing wrong when first happened 2 years ago. Was rare until today when it happened 6 times within 50 miles of city driving. Will see dealer tomorrow. No warnings of any kind. Grave safety hazard as could be hit by traffic when trying to enter street or get out of somebodies way when car does't respond.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #12

Dec 012020

Forester

  • 65,000 miles
Exhaust gasket leak. Only notable when cold as it makes a whistling sound. Issue has happened 2 times

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 012020

Forester

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exhaust manifold gasket leaks at both 30,0000 and 65,000 miles. Car was making whistling sounds when starting that are exceptionally notably only in cold weather. Unknown how long leaks were there as they only loud during the cold months. Noise would go away once engine was warmed up.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #10

Feb 252021

Forester

  • 40,000 miles
I turned into a parking space covering the brake and came to a stop. I went to shift into park and when the gearshift lever started to move the car accelerated uncommanded and ran into the building.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 222021

Forester

  • 19,000 miles
Upon entering a parking space, with break peddle engaged, the vehicle lunged forward at extreme speed hitting a protective barrier. After a rest period, the vehicle was put in reverse and with break peddle engaged lurched backward at the same excessive speed hitting another object. After a long period with engine turned off, the operator was able to drive the car slowly. The vehicle is to be examined to determine the problem.

- Indian Head Park, IL, USA

problem #8

Jan 212021

Forester

  • miles
Cam shaft seal leak. Under warranty but the vehicle has only 37,000 miles. Was told that they replaced felt sesls with a silicone seal therefore there are more problems. My friend brought his 2019 Forester in that same week. Same problem

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #7

Jan 032021

Forester

  • 21,000 miles
Vehicle unexpectedly accelerated upon stepping on the brake, while stopping at a stop sigh.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 132021

Forester

  • 14,500 miles
Vehicles driver seat rail has become loose causing seat to slightly move when laying back.. could be hazardous while driving.. at initial take off, acceleration jerks, acceleration is not smooth, after slightly pressing on the acceleration pedal, I have to sometimes brake because acceleration is jerky and rough. I just purchased this pre-owned 2018 Subaru Forester with 14K miles and it is already blowing smoke at start up.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 232020

Forester

  • 48,000 miles
When driving, sometimes my car loses power temporarily. It happens at times when I am going up an incline, but it has also happened on flat surfaces.

- Brighton, UT, USA

problem #4

Mar 012019

Forester

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. While changing the oil in the vehicle, the contact noticed fuel inside the engine oil. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact noticed fuel fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Subaru of corvallis (located at 800 nw 5th St, corvallis, or 97330, (541) 754-1515), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.

- South Beach, OR, USA

problem #3

Jan 312019

Forester

  • 14,771 miles
Had subra 2018 for 2 weeks oil lights come on all lights been having this oil burning for a year. Now the steering freeze up while driving it last week couldn't move car at all on the highway turning. It wouldn't move good thing we weren't going fast on a interstate. Sat on side of road with it. Read book trying to see what was going on no steering that car at all. I didn't buy a brand new car with problems like that. The oil issue been going on since I got car in 2017. Been back a forth to deal ship nothing done what so ever

- Cincinnatus, NY, USA

problem #2

May 252018

Forester 4-cyl

  • 4,200 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 80 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost engine power. The vehicle was coasted to an exit ramp. The contact stated that the engine was still idling extremely low and the vehicle was turned off and restarted. Rimrock Subaru (324 S 24th St w, billings, mt 59102, (406) 651-5200) replaced the fuel pump and fuel pump control module; however, the failure continued. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer and offered a trade-in for a 2018 Subaru outback. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 4,200. *

- Overland Park, KS, USA

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