Complaint volume
489 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Subaru Forester Complaints
489 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Subaru Forester, grouped by component category.
489 Total complaints
26 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
6 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, air bags, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 26 crash reports, 1 fire report, 6 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 241 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 21,173 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, air bags, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Subaru Forester?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Subaru Forester
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Subaru Forester complaints?
26 Crash
1 Fire
6 Injury
0 Fatality
21 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Forester complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 123
AIR BAGS 60
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 52
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 47
VISIBILITY 19
AIR BAGS,SEATS 17
ENGINE 12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11
POWER TRAIN 10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7
489 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2019 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | 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. AFTER WAITING A MONTH, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT SUBARU HAS TO CREATE AND MANUFACTURE THIS SEAT CUSHION STILL, AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THIS WOULD BE DONE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY FORESTER FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS NOW DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUES OF DRIVING WITHOUT THE GUARANTEE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO ANSWER AS TO WHEN SUBARU WILL EVEN START CREATING THIS NEW PART. I AM SURPRISED IT IS NOT A RECALL SINCE IT IS AN AIRBAG ISSUE, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAD AT LEAST 7 OTHER CUSTOMERS CURRENTLY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT MY NEW VEHICLE AND DRIVING A LOANER CAR FROM THE DEALER. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END IN SIGHT AS TO WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL BE FIXED OR EVEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Jan 2019 | AIR BAGS | THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR A PASSENGER (OR NOT AVAILABLE FOR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY). THE PARTS HAVE BEEN ON ORDER FOR MONTHS BUT STILL NOT DELIVERED. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ON BACKORDER INDICATING TO ME A SIGNIFICANT SAFERY PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Dec 2018 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | VEHICLE WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND STRUCK THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE AND THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE RESIDENCE WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO SHEAR SEVERAL 2X6 STUDS AND 1/2" OSB SIDING. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $15K IN DAMAGE THE DRIVER WAS WELL-RESTED AND HAD 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE DRIVING A SIMILAR SIZE JAPANESE SUV WITH NO ACCIDENTS. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 2,000 |
| Dec 2018 | POWER TRAIN | ON AUGUST 23, 2018, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW SUBARU FORESTER (VIN # (XX)) FROM SOUTHERN STATES AUTOMOTIVE IN RALEIGH, NC. ON OCTOBER 30, 2018, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA STATING THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA IS IMPLEMENTING A WARRANTY EXTENSION OF 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST) FOR MY VEHICLE'S CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT). ON OCTOBER 31, 2018, AT 5:13 PM, I SPOKE TO ERIC IN SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION. I ASKED ERIC HOW LONG SUBARU HAD KNOWN ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CVTS. HE STATED "TWO WEEKS." I STATED TO ERIC THAT I BOUGHT A SUBARU BECAUSE OF ITS RELIABILITY. I ASKED ERIC TO OFFER ME A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MY CVT. ERIC STATED THERE WAS NO WAY HE OR ANYONE IN HIS DEPARTMENT COULD DO THAT. AT 7:09 PM ON OCTOBER 31, 2018, I SPOKE TO VIRGIL - A SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERVISOR. I ASKED VIRGIL TO PROVIDE ME WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MY CVT. VIRGIL OFFERED ME A $500 SERVICE VOUCHER WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF NOVEMBER 2019. I ASKED VIRGIL HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE MY CVT. HE STATED "SIX OR SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS." HE STATED THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE CAPABLE OF REVIEWING MY CONCERNS. ON NOVEMBER 13, 2018, I SPOKE TO DONNIE (X) AND DERRICK (X) IN THE SALES DEPARTMENT AT SOUTHERN STATES SUBARU. BOTH INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR MY CVT. I HAVE PAID SUBARU $11,200 TOWARD THE COST OF MY BRAND NEW 2018 FORESTER. I SPECIFICALLY PURCHASED IT BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2018 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA'S PICTURE QUALITY HAD BECOME EXTREMELY POOR AND OBJECTS BEHIND THE VEHICLE WERE NOT VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHEELING SUBARU (1 NATIONAL RD, WHEELING, WV) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Nov 2018 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE SUDDENLY LAUNCHING FORWARD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (FC KURBECK SUBARU, 200 W. DECATUR AVE, PLEASANTVILLE, NJ) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4 |
| Nov 2018 | POWER TRAIN | 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. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THIS PROBLEM AND IT MAY OCCUR A FEW TIMES IN ONE DAY OR NIT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON A TEST DRIVE. HOWEVER, A SERVICE WRITER WITH THE SAME MODEL DID DESCRIBE A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE DEPT. RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. WHEN I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM I FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS INVOLVING SEVERAL SUBARU MODELS AND ALSO THAT SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY HAS NOT FOUND A SOLUTION. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,300 |
| Nov 2018 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIME SUBARU HYANNIS (508-778-5066, LOCATED AT 24 RIDGEWOOD AVE, HYANNIS, MA 02601) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT WAS WET. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Nov 2018 | AIR BAGS | SOME TIME IN AUGUST 2018 I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY NEW 2018 SUBARU FORESTER WAS TURNED OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER WAS SEATED. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW TIMES, AFTER WHICH I NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE INDICATOR SWITCH WAS LIKELY FAULTY, AND AROUND OCTOBER 1, 2018 THEY ORDERED A REPLACEMENT PART. THE INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY (INDICATING THE BAG IS TURNED OFF) WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT - I HAVE HAD THE PASSENGER SHIFT POSITIONS WHICH SOMETIMES TURNS IT BACK ON; I HAVE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, HAD PASSENGER GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET BACK IN, TURN ON THE ENGINE AND SOMETIMES THAT TURNS THE BAG BACK ON. SOMETIMES THE INDICATOR SHOWS THE BAG IS ON (WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT) BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVE, THE BAG WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF AND WE HAVE TO DO THE "IN-AND-OUT" DANCE TO GET THE BAG TO TURN ON AGAIN. AT LEAST ONE TIME, THE BAG TURNED ON WHEN NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT! THESE THINGS HAPPEN SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STILL IN PARK (BUT ENGINE TURNED ON), AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. TOTALLY RANDOM. THIS OCCURS (SO FAR) DURING CITY DRIVING. THE DEALER ORIGINALLY SAID THE PART WOULD PROBABLY ARRIVE MID OCTOBER, THEN LATE OCTOBER, ETC. I CALLED SUBARU HQ AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE. THEY WILL "ATTEMPT TO EXPEDITE" BUT SAID THE PART IS "ON BACK ORDER" WITH ETA MID NOVEMBER, THEN LATE NOVEMBER "MAYBE," BUT THEY REALLY AREN'T SURE WHEN THEY CAN GET THE PART. IN THE MEAN TIME, I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING WITH PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND SUBARU HQ IN NJ REGARDING THIS ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |
| Nov 2018 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE WINDSHIELD SIMPLY CRACKED UNDER THE PASSENGER WIPER AND QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO VIABLE IMPACT AND IT APPEARED OVERNIGHT. THIS HAPPENED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR AN OEM REPLACEMENT FROM SUBARU. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Oct 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | IGNITION STEERING LOCK IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAR. WE HAVE HAD 5 INSTANCES WHERE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING IS LOCKED AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. IT TAKES A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE KEY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT TAKES TWO PEOPLE. ONE TWISTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE OTHER THE KEY. THE SUBARU DEALER SAYS THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Oct 2018 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | OCT. 25, 2018. CAR IN GARAGE STATIONARY/STARTED VEHICLE/ DASHBOARD RED WARNING LIGHT OF SEAT WITH BELT/AIRBAG. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. 1/2 HOUR LATER, RETURNED TO CAR, SAW HEADLIGHTS ON, TWO FRONT DOORS LOCKED/DIDN'T START CAR. CALLED DEALER AND TOOK IN. SAID AIRBAG PROBLEM AND NEED PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT-BUT ON BIG BACKORDER/MONTHS AND MONTHS. NO FIRM DATE. SAID CHOICE: DRIVE IT AT RISK/ OR TAKE A RENTAL. GM GAVE US LOANER. GM SAID THIS IS FIRST ONE HE HAS HEARD OF AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,130 |
| Oct 2018 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHNSON SUBARU OF CARY (5010 OLD RALEIGH RD, CARY, NC 27511, (833) 287-8912) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Oct 2018 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR HAS A POORLY DESIGNED/NOT-CURRENT-LIMITED USB JACK, WHICH FAILS TO PREVENT A PHONE CHARGING CABLE WITH SHORTED OR SHORTING-INTERMITTENTLY INTERVAL POWER WIRES FROM BURNING UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE DETAILS OF MY BURNT-CABLE EVENT: ON TUESDAY EVENING OCT. 9, 2018, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY GARAGE. I THEN STARTED THE CAR. THE USB PART OF MY IPHONE CABLE WAS ALREADY IN THE CAR'S USB PORT, I BELIEVE. WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IDLING IN PLACE, I THEN PLUGGED THE LIGHTENING END OF THE CABLE INTO MY IPHONE'S PORT TO CHARGE IT. I WAS STILL IDLING IN PLACE WHEN I HEARD A SOUND SIMILAR TO A PLASTIC BOTTLE POPPING INWARD OR OUTWARD AND STARTED TO LOOK AROUND IN MY CAR FOR WHAT'S GOING ON. I THEN, WITHIN SECONDS, I BELIEVE, STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I OPENED MY CENTER CONSOLE, SINCE THAT WAS THE MOST RECENT THING I HAD HANDLED, AND HAD PORTS IN IT, AND I SMELLED THE BURNING SMELL MORE. I QUICKLY PULLED OUT THE CABLE FROM THE USB PORT AND THE IPHONE ITSELF. I WENT ONWARD WITH THE NIGHT'S ACTIVITIES, AND THEN LATER THAT NIGHT, BACK AT THE CAR, INSPECTED THE CABLE AND SAW THAT THE LIGHTENING END (IPHONE END) WAS DISTORTED, WITH A WIRE PROTRUDING, AND A BROWN BURNT SPOT. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A FIRE IF I HADN'T QUICKLY REMOVED THE CABLE FROM THE USB PORT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 800 |
| Sep 2018 | POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SUBURBAN SUBARU, 1821 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS IN THE WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO POWER WASH THE WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE IDLED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV HIGH AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DROVE FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD NOT BEEN DEPRESSED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ROLL BACKWARDS ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. *TT CONSUMER STATED VIOLENT VIBRATION AND SHAKING AT 45MPH OR GREATER ESPECIALLY IN WINTER MONTHS WITH SNOW AND MUD BUILD UP. AUTOMATIC BRAKES SLAM FREQUENTLY WHEN IN REVERSE. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE ENGINE STARTS REVVING. VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. UPDATED 11/19/18*JB | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,500 |
| Sep 2018 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS FROM THE TINIEST LITTLE DING FROM A ROCK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Sep 2018 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO AN EXIT RAMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL IDLING EXTREMELY LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. RIMROCK SUBARU (324 S 24TH ST W, BILLINGS, MT 59102, (406) 651-5200) REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND OFFERED A TRADE-IN FOR A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. **TR *JB | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,200 |
| Aug 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | THE SPEEDOMETER INFORMATION IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN SUNNY DAYLIGHT. NUMBERS ARE "RED". IF "POLARIZED" OR REGULAR SUN LENSES ARE USED, (INFO. (NUMBERS) CAN NOT BE READ. 2019 MODELS, THE SPEEDOMETER IS CHANGED, WITH "WHITE" CHARACTERS. FINALLY SUBARU GOT THE MESSAGE. IT IS CRITICAL TO BE DRIVING AND YOU CAN NOT SEE THE SPEED THAT YOU ARE DRIVING ! | Crash: No Fire: No | 15 |
| Aug 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. OUR WINDSHIELD WAS HIT TWICE BY SMALL ROCKS IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE TWICE WITHIN 30 DAYS. ONE BREAK ON THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD AND AGAIN ON THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD FACILITIES THE DAMAGE OR THE DESIGN OF THE GLASS IS FRAGILE. THESE BREAKS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH SPEEDS OF AROUND 70 MPH. WHEN SPEAKING TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP OF OUR CONCERN THEY INFORMED US THAT SUBARU WINDSHIELDS HAD A TENDENCY TO CRACK EASILY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. WHEN WE ASKED THEM IF THIS SEEMED LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN THEY DID NOT SOME TO THINK IT WAS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,115 |
| Aug 2018 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE TO REPLACE THE TRASH CAN. AFTER BACKING PART WAY OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT SHOT FORWARD AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HIT THE BACK GARAGE WALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT SHOT BACKWARDS, ALSO. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS TOTALLY OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, THE GARAGE WALL AND THE INSIDE UTILITY ROOM AND HALLWAY. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 2,300 |
| Aug 2018 | AIR BAGS | THE FORESTER HAS AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM THAT TURNS OFF THE AIRBAGS FOR THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN NO-ONE IS SITTING THERE OR WHEN THEY DO NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM. SHOULD A PERSON NEED TO SIT ON A CUSHION IN THAT SEAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE SYSTEM DOES NOT THINK ANYONE IS THERE AND TURNS OFF THE AIRBAGS. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT NEED VARIOUS CUSHIONS FOR BACK SUPPORT OR OTHER HEALTH RELATED REASONS OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE SHORT TORSOS AND FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE SITTING HIGHTER. IF THEY USE THEIR PILLOWS OR CUSHIONS, THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. IF THEY DON'T USE THEIR CUSHIONS, THEY ARE IN PAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT CHANGE THE SYSTEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT PASSENGERS WILL USUALLY USE THEIR CUSHIONS TO AVOID PAIN AND HOPE THERE IS NO ACCIDENT THAT WOULD NEED AIRBAG PROTECTION. IN MY OPINION, THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERRIDE TO THE AIRBAG DISABLE SYSTEM SO ADULTS NEEDING SEAT CUSHIONS CAN STILL BE PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ALL MY CARS FROM 2001 THRU 20176 FORDS TOYOTAS MAZDAS ETC. ALL HAD AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING WEATHER WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR WHEN THE CAR PROCEDED TO 10 MPH I JUST LEASED A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER IT DOES NOT DO IT! WENT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THE CAR DOES NOT DO THAT ONLY THE LEGACY AND THE OUTBACK . THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I WILL TAKE LEGAL MOTION AGAINST SUBARU MY CELL NUMBER IS [XXX] PLEASE CALL ME THERE IS A MODULE BOX THAT CAN BE INSTALLED AT MY OWN EXPENCE AND IM OK WITH THAT FOR 125$ I AM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY IS A BIG ISSUE WITH ME PLEASE ALL ME FOR DIRECTION ME PERSONALLY THEY SHOULD RECALL AND HAVE THAT SAFETY ISSUE INSTALLED THE SALESPERSON DID NOT MENTION THAT THE CAR DIDNT COME WITH OUT THAT OPTION GEE WHIZ ITS LIKE NOT HAVING AN AIR BAG IN YOUR CAR. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | MY 2018 SUBARU FORESTER XT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 2 TIMES ON 7/26/18. NOTHING HAPPENED, NO WARNING LIGHTS,IT JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN A MATTER OF SECONDS -I WAS GOING 40 MPH. AFTER IT SHUT OFF THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ONE, THE CHECK ENGINE, AND THE ESP ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON. EXTREAMLY HEART STOPPING TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE SHUT OFF/STALL, WHATEVER, WHILE ON A ROAD, ESPECIALLY A HIGHWAY. LUCKILY I WAS ON A STREET WHERE I COULD GET TO THE SIDE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. BUT I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE FREEWAY HOWEVER I COMMUTE TO WORK ONE A FREEWAY. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN TODAY, I PRAY I'M NOT ON THE FREEWAY OR ANYWHERE WHERE I CAN'T SAFELY GET OVER ON TIME BEFORE I'M HIT. IT STARTED AGAIN NO PROBLEM, THEN STALLED AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY 10 MINUTES LATER. MY VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION AND SHOULDN'T STALL WHILE DRIVING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,650 |
| Jul 2018 | AIR BAGS | FOR 2 MONTHS SINCE MAY 19, 2018, THE AIRBAG WARNING SENSOR LIGHT GOES ON MY DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG 'OFF' WARNING LIGHT ALSO GOES ON ' SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. SUBARU ' STARLINK PROGRAM HAS NOTIFIED ME WITH NUMEROUS EMAILS THAT I SHOULD HAVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AFTER NOT RECEIVING ANY SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER, I CALLED AND WRITTEN TWICE TO SUBARU USA HEADQUARTERS IN CHERRY HILL, NJ EXPLAINING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE OF HAVING NO ACTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE DRIVING. THEY STATED THAT A PART HAS TO BE ORDERED TO REPAIR THIS SERIOUS ISSUE BUT IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 WEEKS SINCE MY INITIAL CALL TO HEADQUARTERS WITH NO RESULTS. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE STALLING AS THERE MAY NOT BE AN EASY FIX AVAILABLE. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN ACTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG PROTECTION FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2018 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS ONLY TURN OFF WHEN MATING 90 TURN. TAKING EXITS OR CROSSING LANES LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY ELDERLY PEOPLE CANNOT HEAR THE BLINKIN. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS I HAVE OWNED | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,500 |