2018 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in stop and go traffic. I don't remember if I was taking foot off brake, or gas pedal. This happen within seconds. Car started to accelerate, I slammed on brakes still moving, I pulled emergency brake, still moving, I hit back end of pick-up truck. By then I had put car in park and turned off ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #11219240, filed 2019-06, 37,242 miles“As it stands in p (park) it has a really high idle even in neutral as if it wants to go. Then in drive it will lurch really fast. Or I have my foot on the break and it starts to rev high then after 3-5sec of seeing rev cycle in the 2000-3000s it calms down. I almost rear-ended a car yesterday. If you slightly pull off the brake the car will want to jolt forward. When it revs high and I take my foot off the brake it jolts forward then slows as if it recognizes I never had my foot on the accelerator. In all of these times I never had my foot on the gas pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363312, filed 2020-10, 34,000 miles“Upon entering a parking space, with break peddle engaged, the vehicle lunged forward at extreme speed hitting a protective barrier. After a rest period, the vehicle was put in reverse and with break peddle engaged lurched backward at the same excessive speed hitting another object. After a long period with engine turned off, the operator was able to drive the car slowly. The vehicle is to be examined to determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11397546, filed 2021-02, 19,000 miles“Windshield cracked with no causing damage. Short crack in motion that grew over several nights while parked. The brake pedal went to the floor while stopped at a light. Had towed to the dealer”
NHTSA complaint #11407915, filed 2021-04, 51,356 miles“I was the first car stopped at a red light of an intersection coming off the freeway, in far right lane. When the light turned green, as I released my foot off the brake and not even stepping on the gas the RPM surged with full force accelerating without my foot on the gas. I stepped on the brake but it would not engage - it locked. The steering wheel locked and only had minimal movement, as much movement as you would get in a parked position. There was no way to stop the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11504015, filed 2023-01Related service bulletins
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- 10202832Oct 19, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10202821Oct 14, 2021(Subaru Retailers) As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for…
- 10202817Oct 14, 2021(Owner Letter) As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 29 | 7% |
| 2015 | 36 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 12% |
| 2012 | 16 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 14% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 1999 | 19 | 14% |
| 1998 | 15 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Forester
156 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsOther or unknown
85 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsSeats
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology