2018 Subaru Forester Problems: 15 Known Issues

On the 2015-2018 Subaru Forester, contact pressure between terminals in the front passenger seat's occupant detection system (ODS) sensor mat harness can decrease over time, giving a temporarily unstable connection. The system may then misjudge the passenger: the airbag warning light and PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator may come on, and the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles with front seat heaters, built January 20, 2015 – August 1, 2017, under recall 19V701 (Subaru WUM-98). Vehicles without seat heaters use a different harness and are not affected. Only a Subaru retailer can confirm by VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has been done.

On the 2018 Subaru Forester 2.0L Turbo, the low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may have a lower-density impeller. Combined with the fuel pump controller, the impeller can interfere with the pump body and the pump can stop working. The check engine light may come on and the engine may run rough; in the worst case the engine stalls and cannot be restarted, increasing the risk of a crash. Applies to: Certain US 2018 Subaru Forester Turbo (2.0XT) vehicles built April 20 through August 7, 2018, subject to recall 21V587 / WRG-21. The manufacturer procedure does not list the naturally aspirated 2.5L Forester. Not every vehicle in the build window is affected; a Subaru retailer must confirm VIN eligibility and recall completion before repair.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, subaru issued new A/C compressor assemblies for two conditions on this Forester generation. On 2014-2016 models, electrical windings inside the compressor clutch could leave the A/C system not operating. On 2018 models, an internal compressor failure could cause reduced A/C performance with a rattling or scraping sound. Applies to: 2014-2016 Forester (bulletin 10-84-16R, revised June 14, 2016; compressors with serial 51001***** or higher, built from October 1, 2015, already have the new clutch) and 2018 Forester (bulletin 10-98-20R, revised October 21, 2020; compressors with a label production code of 809 or earlier). The bulletins do not cover the 2017 Forester. Separately, bulletin 15-237-19R (2017-2018 Forester) says a refrigerant leak from the A/C condenser can lower the refrigerant oil level and make the compressor's internal vanes chatter.

On the 2017-2018 Subaru Forester, certain A/C condensers can corrode within the condenser tube walls. If that happens, refrigerant can leak out and the air conditioning may not cool enough. Applies to: Certain 2017-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles built March 23, 2016 – September 1, 2017, under Subaru service program WRB-21 (bulletin WRB-21R, revised November 11, 2021; 207,386 U.S. vehicles). Subaru issued it "in the interest of customer satisfaction"; it is not a safety recall. Separately, bulletin 15-269-20R extended condenser warranty coverage on all 2017 and some early 2018 Foresters to 5 years with unlimited mileage from the original warranty start, which has now ended. Only a Subaru retailer can confirm coverage by VIN.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, a hard shock load, such as hitting a large pothole or expansion joint, can damage the bearing surfaces in the front wheel hub assembly. A damaged bearing can make a growling sound above about 25 mph. Subaru released a redesigned front hub assembly with bearing surfaces more resistant to this damage. Applies to: 2014-2018 Forester, front wheel hubs, under Subaru bulletin 05-76-20R (revised February 22, 2021). The new hub is marked with "7"s on the back of the flange. The bulletin does not cover rear wheel bearings.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, 2017 Forester owners report torn front CV axle boots or grease around the axle. The available reports do not establish that every affected joint is damaged or that a whole axle must be replaced. Applies to: 2014–2018 Forester generation context from 2017 owner reports; not a confirmed diagnosis on the representative 2018 vehicle.

On the 2014-2022 Subaru Forester, owners report water near the front interior lights or wet front carpet after rain. A 2018 account reports one moonroof drain being cleared and another replaced. These reports do not establish the entry path on every car. Applies to: Moonroof-equipped Forester only. The cited 2015 and 2018 accounts concern the fourth generation; the separately identified 2020 reports concern the later generation and do not verify a 2018 repair.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, subaru extended the warranty on the rear gate stays (the gas struts that hold the rear gate open) of this Forester generation. The extension covers internal or external failures such as leakage, weakness, binding, seizure or other insufficient operation of the stays. Applies to: 2014-2018 Forester with or without the power rear gate, under Subaru bulletin 12-289-20R (revised October 9, 2020). Coverage is 8 years with unlimited miles, counted from the vehicle's original New Car Limited Warranty start, so it has already expired for many of these vehicles. Only original-equipment or Genuine Subaru stays are covered.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, subaru changed the material of the forward bushing in the front lower control arm to address a rattle-type sound and a possible vibration felt in the steering wheel. Applies to: 2014-2018 Subaru Forester under Subaru bulletin 05-63-18R (revised March 31, 2021). The new bushings were used in production starting with VIN JH567501; the new part is identified by a metal ring and an orange paint mark.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, owners report a rear clunk or knock over bumps or when turning. The available owner discussions do not establish one common failed suspension component. Applies to: 2014–2018 Forester context; one cited discussion specifically names a 2014 vehicle. The historical issue ID does not establish applicability to a 2009 Forester.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, forester owners report shuddering or jerking during acceleration. The saved 2017 complaints include 2.5L and XT vehicles and reports that software updates did not resolve the concern. Those accounts do not prove one internal CVT failure mode. Applies to: 2014–2018 Forester with a CVT, including 2.5L and 2.0XT context. The cited direct complaints concern 2017 vehicles and a linked discussion concerns 2016; not a manual transmission.

On the 2017-2023 Subaru Forester, the engine computer can set code P0420, Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1), and turn on the check-engine light. Subaru issued a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for this code that checks other possible sources first, such as other stored codes, white exhaust smoke, exhaust leaks and air/fuel sensor response. Applies to: 2017-2018 Forester with the 2.5L engine and 2019-2023 Forester, as listed in Subaru service information bulletin 09-110-23R (revised November 7, 2023). The bulletin does not list the 2014-2018 2.0L turbo (XT).

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, where heavy road salt is used, corrosion may develop on the electronic power steering (EPS) gear box. A hard enough impact, such as hitting a pothole, could then crack part of the gear box housing. Subaru states this does not cause a complete loss of steering assist; it can cause an uneven steering feel when turning left or right. Applies to: 2014-2018 Subaru Forester under Subaru warranty-extension bulletin 04-27-21R (revised July 28, 2021). The extension covers the EPS gear box assembly only when a crack in the housing is found, for 10 years with unlimited mileage counted from the original warranty start date, so it has run out on many earlier vehicles. Genuine Subaru gear boxes only.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester, owners of 2016, 2017 and 2018 Foresters report shaking or shudder when braking. One 2017 owner reports that replacing the front pads and rotors did not resolve the shake, while later rear brake work did. That is one reported outcome, not proof of a common warped-rotor defect. Applies to: 2014–2018 Forester context; the cited accounts concern 2016, 2017 and 2018 vehicles.

On the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester 2.5L FB25, owners report a brief engine rattle after a cold start. The cited discussions include a 2015 2.5i test drive and a 2018 Forester. Their explanations do not establish a timing-chain tensioner defect or a manufacturer finding that every such noise is normal. Applies to: 2014–2018 Forester 2.5L FB25 context; the cited reports concern 2015 and 2018 vehicles. Not the 2.0XT engine.