2018 Subaru Forester Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 6%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the seats of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 6% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles.
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“My 2018 Subaru Forester is experiencing faulty activation of the passenger seat air bag light since june 2018. Vehicle was purchased new in august 2017. The dashboard reads that there is no airbag on for the passenger while someone was seated there and the car was sitting or in motion. This has happened on and off since june 2018. The light reads periodically that none of the airbags are on. After bringing it to my Subaru dealer in august 2018, I was told that a part would be ordered and that it was the passenger seat cushion that needed replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166156, filed 2019-01, 9,000 miles“Passenger side seat sensor detects person sitting in seat and turns on the airbag when the seat is empty. Notifications turns on at car startup and will turn on while vehicle is moving. Car was bought may 31st, 2018. This behavior started on the first cold day in my area (roughly late november/early december 2018).”
NHTSA complaint #11184689, filed 2019-03, 6,000 miles“The airbag system became disarmed and seatbelt warning light came on when smartphone weighing 3lbs was on front passenger seat. This occurred multiple times the passenger front seat sensor is supposed to become armed when a 40lb passenger sits in passenger front seat only. Reading through the owners manual states that both driver and passenger airbags may not deploy which puts driver and passengers at risk for injury.”
NHTSA complaint #11269248, filed 2019-10, 6,500 miles“Nhtsa recall 19v-701 (Subaru recall wum-98) includes only foresters with seat heaters manufactured from 1/20/15 - 8/1/17. My Forester was manufactured on 6/6/18 and is not currently included. Page 3 of product campaign bulletin wum-98r revised 11/20/19 (copy attached) states if the date code on the front passenger seat cushion wiring harness is 18074 (74th day of 2018) or before and the supplier code is 6578, the harness is ng and the seat cushion assembly must be replaced . …”
NHTSA complaint #11292320, filed 2019-12, 5,615 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10252544Mar 28, 2024Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the…
- 10213197May 23, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assembliesd.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 22 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 76 | 29% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Forester
156 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsOther or unknown
85 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsFuel system
21 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 29, 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