2018 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 5%of 498 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 498 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,000 miles. 4 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.
“The car will periodically stall for a second or two on occassions when starting out and then accelerate with a jolt. When in traffic this is unacceptable. I understand this may be common with CVT transmissions. If that is the case I question why they are allowed on the road. I wll not purchase another Subaru or any other car with a CVT.”
NHTSA complaint #11082203, filed 2018-03, 200 miles“I have trouble making turns for it hesitates before it will kick in,yesterday I was almost hit by a police car going on a call, lights/siren on . I just made a turn and it hesitated icouldn't get out of his way. This is an ongoing problem with this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11104665, filed 2018-06, 2,945 miles“When on an incline, and or entering a highway while accelerating the car will go into the hill decent mode. Every light on the dash will light up! I am forced to pull over because the engine is now screaming!!! I then need to turn the car off and on two times in order to be able to drive it. Now half the lights are still on. But the car is running normally. It will take to more times turning off the engine before all the lights go off. The dealer claimed I was driving two footed. Left foot on brake and right on gas. Not true I do not drive like that. …”
NHTSA complaint #11195285, filed 2019-04, 10,000 miles“First, driving on the highway the air conditioner stopped working. Second, the very next day, the vehicle began to make noises (squealing) when driving it anywhere. Streets, turns, hills etc. Then it began race and it felt as if the back tires were racing to catch up to the front tires. There was lurching forward. Shuddering. No dashboard warning lights came on. I called the dealership, then took it to the dealership. It was scary to drive it there. I felt like the transmission was going up. Third, the tailgate, ( in or out) release buttons were not working consistently (repeat complaint). …”
NHTSA complaint #11366545, filed 2020-10, 47,000 miles“Occasionally when I slowly accelerate from a stop, as when I pull into a driving lane from a parking lot a stop sign, the car will move a few feet and then stop. The engine will still be turning approx. 2000 RPM but the car will not move . When I apply the accelerator the RPM does not change and the car still will not move. After anywhere from 3-5 seconds the car will accelerate normally. Otherwise the car performs normally and there is no hesitation at higher speeds. As a result, I am sitting helpless in a traffic land with cars bearing down on me. S far we have not been hit. …”
NHTSA complaint #11153216, filed 2018-11, 9,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
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 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