2018 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2018

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2018 Subaru Forester repairs by problem area

Engine (35%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (8%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)

Other (8%)

Chart based on 26 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester.

2018 Subaru Forester repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (5%)

$100 - $499 (11%)

< $100 (79%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 19 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2018 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Subaru Forester in Oklahoma, United States
May 2021 - Jun 2022
Jul 2021

20000 mi
Wiring harness replaced under goodwill. Car had check engine light right after we bought it. Looks like rodents chewed through the harness and it wasn't picked up when Heuberger inspected the vehicle and sold it to us 
Subaru Forester in Nevada, United States
Jun 2018 - Jun 2022
May 2022

51000 mi

US $40
Engine light and misfire. Used stp aerosol carbon intake cleaner with 9 minute timer. It actually worked. The car started to run very poorly and backfire on cold start. This treatment cleared it up. Seriously amazed it worked. Car runs heat so far. About 1k since treatment. 
Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2017 - Jun 2018
Mar 2018

4340 mi
The Harmon Kardon amplifier blew out after only a few months. It took about 4 weeks to get a replacement. Only one speaker was working 
May 2018

8060 mi

C $259
regular service for 10000km, also tires changed, and looking into the steering system pulling side to side.  And had stereo amp changed out. Original one blew out after a month, then took a while to get the part. 
Subaru Forester in Idaho, United States
Oct 2022 - Oct 2022
Oct 2022

45440 mi

US $100
Transmission leak spotted while getting an oil change. Window chatter on rolling up and rolling down. 

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2018 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD

Subaru Forester in Alabama, United States
Dec 2017 - Jun 2022
May 2022

20000 mi
Passenger airbag error. Parts needed, not repaired. 
Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2017 - Jul 2022
Jan 2022

35960 mi

C $800
Squeaking and brake drag. Pads, rotors and drums replaced. 
Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States
Mar 2018 - Sep 2018
Jul 2018

5000 mi
Hood misaligned 
Subaru Forester in Indiana, United States
Aug 2017 - Apr 2019
Dec 2017

2000 mi
I have had to add air to one of the tires approx. every 300 miles since I got the car; the "honeymoon" is over. 
Subaru Forester in Arkansas, United States
Dec 2017 - Dec 2021
Jun 2018

2700 mi

US $165
Nail in sidewall of rear tire. Replaced tire. 
Subaru Forester in California, United States
Jul 2017 - Jul 2022
Jul 2022

32000 mi
Could not remove key from ignition switch. Was repaired under warranty. Mirror and overhead light stays on after closing doors. happens when opening door and closing without starting engine. The car still blinks that door is ajar. If not noticed will fully drain the battery overnight. 

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2018 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2017 - Jun 2022
Sep 2018

3100 mi
rattle coming from centre of dash, corrected this but still another rattle coming from dash closer to driver side 
Jul 2021

11160 mi
ongoing problem with rattles and squeaks from dash 

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2018 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD

Subaru Forester in Virginia, United States
Feb 2018 - Mar 2023
Feb 2022

57000 mi

US $2000
Center viscous differential failed. 
May 2022

59000 mi
Full engine replacement due to high oil consumption and failed oil consumption test. 
Subaru Forester in Alabama, United States
Oct 2018 - Jun 2022
Feb 2019

13000 mi
Power steering stopped working temporarily. Dealer could not find problem. 
Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States
Oct 2017 - Feb 2021
Mar 2018

1400 mi
Over one quart of engine oil consumed over first 1400 miles; oil and filter were changed and I am to monitor oil level going forward. 
Subaru Forester in California, United States
Sep 2017 - Mar 2024
Nov 2017

3200 mi
From new car consumed 1 quart every 600 miles. The dealer started an oil consumption test and am waiting to see the rate of burn for the next 1000 miles. If it consumes the same, dealer already stated that they will replace the engine under warranty. 
Apr 2018

9000 mi
engine was replaced after multiple oil consumption tests showed that the car was buring 2 quarts every 600 miles. 
Dec 2018

18000 mi
After having the original engine replaced a few months ago I dropped the car off for its third oil consumption test. The new engine is burning 2 quarts of oil every 1K miles. Initially the dealer stated it was part of its break-in period. Car continued to need a quart added every 500+ miles. Engine will most likely be replaced again under full warranty. Dealer has expressed that they will address an early lease termination with corporate. SiriusXM radio does not work fully. Radio will not display all stations. XM said headunit is bad or malfunctioning. Dealer tried a programming update but it did not resolve the XM radion functions being missing. 
Mar 2019

22000 mi
Third Oil consumption (second engine; first new engine at 2K miles) test came back that the car was burning 1 quart every 100 miles on the second engine. Subaru decided that the car needs a new engine (3rd engine in 22K miles) Due to car needing another engine Subaru North America proactively did a buyback. 

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2018 Subaru Forester Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2018 Subaru Forester problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.