2018 Subaru Forester Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 498 owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Forester. The EPA rates it 24 to 28 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 498
- Crashes / fires reported
- 26 / 1
- EPA combined
- 24–28 MPG
2018 Subaru Forester recalls
Fuel System, GasolineJul 29, 2021 · NHTSA 21V587000+
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.
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.
Air BagsOct 3, 2019 · NHTSA 19V701000+
Risk: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
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.
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.
TiresJul 10, 2018 · NHTSA 18V455000+
Risk: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2018 Subaru Forester problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Visibility/Wiper135
- Air Bags99
- Unknown or Other84
- Electrical System71
- Engine32
- Seats30
- Vehicle Speed Control30
- Steering25
2018 Subaru Forester gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AV-S6) | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forester AWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AV-S8) | 23 | 27 | 25 | $3,200 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester, most recently for the fuel system, gasoline (Jul 29, 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners filed 498 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are visibility/wiper (135), air bags (99), unknown or other (84).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Forester at 24 to 28 MPG combined (best version: 26 city / 32 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.