10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,318 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2018 Subaru Forester Owner Comments

problem #20

Jul 052024

Forester

  • miles

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

Starting up the car in the morning after a long day stuck in traffic (over 100 degree F weather), moved about 5 feet then the eyesight system stopped working, rear braking stopped, and power steering gave out - the car started and the engine ran normally. The car was abandoned as unsafe until diagnostics could be performed and a different car was used to get around. That evening the car started up fine, also the next morning to reproduce conditions. Tested the battery, which showed "good" (93% charge/40%healthy). I suspect that, in the morning the A/C, headlights, radio, backup lights, etc... put a large draw on the electrical system resulting in a system wide shutdown of adaptive features - However loss of power steering is insane and can easily result in death if it happens while driving especially while making a turn if the driver is not prepared/strong enough to force it. The linking of non-critical system to help the driver to an essential system is just asking for trouble.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #19

Sep 182023

Forester

  • miles
While driving steering wheel freezes and driver is not able to control steering.Engine quits.

- Walhalla, SC, USA

problem #18

Apr 112023

Forester

  • miles
When the vehicle is driven 60 MPH or greater, the front end/steering starts to vibrate and rattle.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #17

Feb 102023

Forester

  • miles

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

Steering wheel locking intermittently, without warning. white car symbol appears between lanes, followed by green car symbol as the wheel locks. Took the car to Liberty Subaru, my dealer, Emerson, NJ. First two times garage unable to replicate the problem, no repairs done. Third time this happened to me, the car started rocking from side to side on the road as the wheel remained locked, terrifying. I called the dealer, they told me to turn off the safety system (lane assist) which I did. Back to the same garage, same outcome. Could not replicate the problem. 4th time this happened to me, I had not reset the lane assist and the same warning symbols appeared as the wheel locked. Back to garage, told me they were not going to give me a loaner car as they cannot replicate the problem. Reported to Subaru of America, no response to first email. Second email acknowledged receipt and gave me a case number: Case#-??230306-0200125. Car remains at Liberty Subaru, it is dangerous to drive. I will end up in an accident as I cannot control the car when the wheel is locked, and I will endanger others on the road at the same time. Dates are approx, occurred 4 different days over two weeks approx. Speed ranged from 41 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour when it occurred,

- River Edge, NJ, USA

problem #16

Feb 082023

Forester

  • 77,978 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after 5 minutes she was able to start the vehicle and to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,978.

- Wall Township, NJ, USA

problem #15

Feb 042023

Forester

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after shifting to drive, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult the turn in either direction. The contact stated that the power steering fault message was displayed. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. A service appointment was scheduled with the local dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Andover, NJ, USA

problem #14

Nov 112022

Forester

  • miles

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

My 2018 Subaru Forester front low control arms and wheel bearing were damaged after about 24000 miles of driving in 5 years. I got it second hand in 2020 and it had only about 14000 miles. I had them replaced due to safety concern.

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #13

Nov 012022

Forester

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front passenger-??s side seat was extremely hot. Additionally, air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the taillights were inoperable. While his wife was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the taillight bulbs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,400.

- Cool Ridge, WV, USA

problem #12

Mar 202021

Forester

  • 50 miles
Vehicle has 50K miles. Window motor on driver window replaced twice. Keeps failing. Also uneven tread wear on brand new tires indicating something wrong with vehicle.

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #11

Dec 302019

Forester

  • 15,050 miles
On several occasions while driving on the highway, my eyesight feature suddenly disengages and my cruise control ceases to work and no lane assist or other safety features contained with the "eyesight package" work for extended periods of time. This has occurred when it is raining or snowing.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #10

Dec 042019

Forester

  • 7,900 miles

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

The steering locks up on this vehicle and will not allow me to turn it but give me a steering wheel emblem with the! and it doesn't weather is hot or cold sometimes I have to turn it on and off six or seven times before it will unfreeze

- Bellaire, OH, USA

problem #9

Jul 282019

Forester

  • 3,370 miles
This car has a manual transmission and only has been driven 3,370 miles. Every so often after startup, while beginning to move forward, the steering becomes extremely difficult. This effect lasts, perhaps, for up to 5 seconds or so.

- Brookline, NH, USA

problem #8

Jun 122019

Forester

  • 18,000 miles
While parking in a lot: When pulling into a space, hit brake pedal and car accelerated resulting in minor damage to my car and others cars. I believe the car malfunctioned resulting in this accident.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #7

May 132019

Forester

  • 3,010 miles
I came to a complete stop to wait for oncoming traffic before making a left turn. I only had about twenty feet to go to access the angled parking space for the business on the corner. As I turned into the space, my Forester suddenly jumped the curb, mowed down a sign pole, and crashed into the building window. After replaying this incident over in my mind, I truly believe this was a case of unintended acceleration. Fortunately, no one was injured. I was on a city street and was totally shocked that the vehicle accelerated like it did.

- The Dalles, OR, USA

problem #6

May 192019

Forester

  • 11,200 miles
[xxx] 05/19/2019 [xxx]- clear day @ 10am est. While in my lane and traveling straight and within the lane lines, two (2) vehicle safety systems activate at the same time: Lane keep assist, lane departure warning. The lane keep assist was the strongest "pull" I've ever felt and pulled/steered the vehicle to right causing me nearly cross into the lane on my right. My hands were always on the steering wheel and was able to immediately correct it. The departure warning also activated at the initial 'lane keep assist' feature activation. Attached is a picture of the road from the inside of the vehicle. The windshield has dried insect residue but nothing I considered visually impairing. If my hands were not on the steering wheel or otherwise was distracted, I have no doubt I would have steered completely into the lane next to me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #5

May 132019

Forester

  • 6,000 miles
Eyesight shuts off, in rain when most needed. Dealer states it is ok.

- Galveston, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 152018

Forester

  • 50 miles
Since I purchased my vehicle in 2018, when I'm driving on the freeway at a speed between 65 to 70 my tires feel unbalanced. Sometimes it feels like my car is swerving and it feels like it's hard to control the car.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 052019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 3,773 miles
On straight highway sometimes will give a jerk to the right. Had vehicle in for issue they found steering shaft bolt loose. They retorqued to spec. Drove to Florida still has same issues. When in a banked turn does not hold turn properly. When on absolutely straight highway steering wheel appears to be slightly to the left of 6:00. Making appt with dealership again. Don't know when it started, wife had been driving due to my medical issue. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #2

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 #1

Apr 202018

Forester

  • 200 miles
When driving forward on level road, the vehicle drifts or goes to the right. I must keep turning the steering wheel to the left to correct this problem. I notice when the vehicle drifts to the right side, steering wheel maintains a centered position.

- Wilson, NY, USA

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