Model year guide

2018 Subaru Forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Subaru Forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 73 on record.

2018 Subaru Forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Subaru Forester at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints483
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$23,178

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2018 Subaru Forester recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #21V587000 · 29/07/2021

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.

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.

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #19V701000 · 03/10/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Tires NHTSA Campaign #18V455000 · 10/07/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTS-78.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2018 Subaru Forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 483 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

2018 Subaru Forester MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2018 Subaru Forester worth?

Low
$18,995
Typical price
$23,178
High
$28,988

From 63 comparable 2018 Subaru Forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Subaru Forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,750
Total$20,750
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($23,178) with the same model 5 model-years older ($15,413), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Subaru Forester trims & engines on record

Trims
Premium+CWP · Premium+ES · Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+AP · Base P · Limited+ES+Navi(HK)+AP · Base · Limited · Premium · Limited+Navi(HK)
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 250 hp

2018 Subaru Forester vehicles on record

2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWC6JH510922 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Base PJF2SJABC0JH601187 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWCXJH415487 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC2JH435806 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJGWC7JH566130 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+CWPJF2SJGEC2JH609354 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWC4JH580774 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+CWPJF2SJAEC4JH586852 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+ESJF2SJAGC8JH472592 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester PremiumJF2SJADCXJH504611 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Base PJF2SJABCXJH565864 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+ESJF2SJAGC9JH555531 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWC1JH542807 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC3JH561186 2018 Subaru Forester Limited+ES+Navi(HK)+APJF2SJARC4JH544725 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC3JH616509 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Touring+ES+Navi(H/K)+APJF2SJAWC5JH570951 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+CWPJF2SJAEC0JH527412 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Base PJF2SJABC9JH541538 2018 Subaru Forester LimitedJF2SJAJC2JH510925 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+ESJF2SJAGC9JH495508 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+CWPJF2SJGEC8JH493450 2018 Subaru Forester 2018 Subaru Forester BaseJF2SJAAC4JH486840 2018 Subaru Forester Premium+CWPJF2SJAEC9JH557332

Other Subaru Forester model years

2021 2020 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2018 Subaru Forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Forester?

Based on 483 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Forester at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2018 Subaru Forester worth?

Comparable 2018 Subaru Forester listings run roughly $18,995–$28,988, typically around $23,178 (from 63 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.