2018 Subaru Forester Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 4%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the fuel system of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 4% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicles driver seat rail has become loose causing seat to slightly move when laying back.. Could be hazardous while driving.. At initial take off, acceleration jerks, acceleration is not smooth, after slightly pressing on the acceleration pedal, I have to sometimes brake because acceleration is jerky and rough. I just purchased this pre-owned 2018 Subaru Forester with 14k miles and it is already blowing smoke at start up.”
NHTSA complaint #11387974, filed 2021-01, 14,500 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“When attempting to accelerate to make a left-hand turn the car stopped - the engine would not get above idle, even when the accelerator was pressed to the floor. The car stopped in oncoming traffic. It did accelerate after completely removing pressure from the pedal and pushing it partially down again it began to pick up speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11063153, filed 2018-01, 750 miles“Strong fuel odor is detected in garage after parking as well as within the cabin while driving. Believe fuel is entering oil from undetermined location as odor is especially pronounced around dip stick. If oil is changed the issue dissipates but returns within 1000 miles. There are plenty of online reports from other 2015 - 2018 forrester xt (turbo) owners reporting the same issue and in most cases their dealer is unable to determine an issue or provide a solution. In one report, however, the owner indicated their dealer finally resolved their issue by replacing a faulty injector seal.”
NHTSA complaint #11316859, filed 2020-03, 1,000 miles“Fuel Pump. Stalled in intersection in middle lane at expressway entrance. Car stalled 3 x before I could move out of intersection to safety. Kept pressing gas peddle but car would not move then sputtered going a few feet before stopping again. 3x Cars were going thru light and around me at 45 mph. Honking, swerving into other lane, barely avoiding hitting my car as well as other cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11661980, filed 2025-05Related recalls
- 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86…Covers: Subaru Forester 2018, Outback 2018–2020, Legacy 2018–2020 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 11027090Dec 12, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11018914May 29, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11017438Apr 14, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11014875Feb 24, 2025This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1).
- 11013494Jan 7, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- 11012269Dec 31, 2024In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- 11012265Dec 19, 2024This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11008275Sep 24, 2024"In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years."
- 11008273Sep 23, 2024Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
- 11005617Jul 18, 2024This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 17 | 17% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 3% |
| 2018 | 21 | 4% |
| 2017 | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 57 | 9% |
| 2014 | 21 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 8 | 8% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 6% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% |
| 2005 | 22 | 24% |
| 2004 | 124 | 57% |
| 2003 | 57 | 30% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% |
| 2000 | 6 | 8% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 5% |
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 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBrakes
14 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