2018 Subaru Forester Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 5%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,900miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,900 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On several occasions while driving on the highway, my eyesight feature suddenly disengages and my cruise control ceases to work and no lane assist or other safety features contained with the eyesight package work for extended periods of time. This has occurred when it is raining or snowing.”
NHTSA complaint #11292420, filed 2020-01, 15,050 miles“The steering locks up on this vehicle and will not allow me to turn it but give me a steering wheel emblem with the! And it doesn't weather is hot or cold sometimes I have to turn it on and off six or seven times before it will unfreeze”
NHTSA complaint #11286848, filed 2019-12, 7,900 miles“When driving forward on level road, the vehicle drifts or goes to the right. I must keep turning the steering wheel to the left to correct this problem. I notice when the vehicle drifts to the right side, steering wheel maintains a centered position.”
NHTSA complaint #11097321, filed 2018-05, 200 miles“Since I purchased my vehicle in 2018, when I'm driving on the freeway at a speed between 65 to 70 my tires feel unbalanced. Sometimes it feels like my car is swerving and it feels like it's hard to control the car .”
NHTSA complaint #11204054, filed 2019-04, 50 miles“While parking in a lot: when pulling into a space, hit brake pedal and car accelerated resulting in minor damage to my car and others cars. I believe the car malfunctioned resulting in this accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11220029, filed 2019-06, 18,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 5% |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
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 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 27, 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