Is the 2018 Subaru FORESTER reliable?

The 2018 Subaru FORESTER has 669 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Subaru FORESTER?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (157 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (116 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (83 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Subaru FORESTER?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, TIRES. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Subaru FORESTER?

The 2018 Subaru FORESTER gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2018 Subaru FORESTER often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru FORESTER: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Subaru FORESTER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Subaru FORESTER is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Subaru FORESTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Subaru FORESTER has 669 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 307. The most common issue is visibility problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru forster. approximately one month after purchasing the vehicle, a crack suddenly appeared in the windshield. after having the windshield replaced weeks later, another crack was present after a small pebble made contact with the windshield. the vehicle was not diagno. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 29 crash reports 11 injuries

669

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

157 complaints

23%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORSTER. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER CRACK WAS PRESENT AFTER A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO
• WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS FROM THE TINIEST LITTLE DING FROM A ROCK.
• THE WINDSHIELD SIMPLY CRACKED UNDER THE PASSENGER WIPER AND QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO VIABLE IMPACT AND IT APPEARED OVERNIGHT. THIS HAPPENED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR AN OEM REPLACEMENT FROM SUBARU.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORSTER. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER CRACK WAS PRESENT AFTER A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Subaru FORESTER

Based on 327 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

247

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 114 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 43 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 35 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP29/07/2021

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.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Subaru FORESTER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Subaru FORESTER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru FORESTER Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2018 FORESTER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 669 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORSTER. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER CRACK WAS PRESENT AFTER A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWED A PROBLEM WITHIN FIRST 200 MILES OF DRIVING THE NEW FORESTER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE SUBARU (NAV) NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE USED. IT GIVES YOU NO ADVANCE WARNING OF UPCOMING HIGHWAY EXITS OR UPCOMING TURNS. THE NAV SYSTEM WILL EASILY BE THE CAUSE OF SEVER LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS DUE TO ITS POOR OPERATIONAL ABILITY TO SAFELY GIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)