2018 Subaru Forester Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,830miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the seat belts of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,830 miles. 1 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.
“The eyesight had been manipulated to a warning even when there's no obstruction while driving forward, while backing up it gives a warning that someone or a vehicle is adjacent to my car. These are just a few of the problems I encounter. I have an idea who's behind this. But I cannot prove it. Someone very knowledgeable in computer security within my vicinity. It compromises the safety feature of the car while driving and even backing up in my garage.”
NHTSA complaint #11176202, filed 2019-02, 7,100 miles“Front passenger seat airbag sensor began not recognizing passengers sitting in the seat shortly after purchasing my brand new 2018 Subaru Forester. This started occuring while driving, turning off and on. After a while, it completely stopped recognizing any person sitting in the seat even after only just turning the car on. The dealership replaced it since it was in the warranty period but blamed us for it malfunctioning saying that we must have gotten the seat wet, causing the sensor to fail. We told them that we hadn't ever gotten the seat wet. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243913, filed 2019-08, 12,559 miles“Seat warning buzze when the driver or the passenger seat belt is not fastened the buzzer sounds for approximately 8 seconds. However, after this interval, if either belt is still unfastened buzzer continues to chime in ever increasing volume. The manual states that this disturbing second chime can be disabled by a Subaru dealer. I went to two dealers on four different occasions and they refused to comply. I called Subaru and I was advised that the company has no control over the actions of their dealers who are independent entities. Refer to page 3-14 of the owner's manual. …”
NHTSA complaint #11171238, filed 2019-01, 4,800 miles“The sensor in the seat has been intermittently working for years and finally quit. It costs close to $2000 to fix and there is no way to switch the air bag to stay on. It seems this is an issue with other 2018 Subaru foresters and for some reason the recall did not apply to my VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11617755, filed 2024-10“The contact's mother owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt warning light failed to illuminate and alert the passenger to fasten the seat belt. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that a credit towards the repair would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11513438, filed 2023-03, 23,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213193May 18, 2022This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
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 complaintsBrakes
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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