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Buying a used 2018 Subaru Forester? Check these 3 recalls first

3 NHTSA recalls · 493 owner complaints on file

The 2018 Forester has 3 recalls, covering possible passenger airbag deactivation, fuel pump failure, and an incorrect tire-size label. The airbag and fuel pump issues are the principal mechanical and occupant-protection concerns; the label issue concerns accurate tire information. Its 493 NHTSA owner complaints are unverified reports, led by visibility/wiper issues at 135 and air bags at 96. Electrical system complaints number 70, making repair history in those areas relevant alongside recall completion.

Before you buy

1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
2. Verify VIN-specific airbag and fuel pump recall completion.
3. Check the tire-size label against the corrected specification.
4. Ask about visibility, wiper, and electrical repairs.
5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Subaru dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2018 Subaru Forester

What owners have reported to NHTSA

493 complaints filed for this model year, including 26 mentioning a crash, 1 a fire and 9 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

When the complaints were filed

Complaints by the year they reached NHTSA. The current year is incomplete, and counts usually fall as fewer of these cars stay on the road.

Other model years

• 2019
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026
• All Forester recalls