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VinCanary

Reliability report · 2018 Subaru Forester · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,600/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

The send-off fourth-gen year with the same cam-carrier oil leak to inspect, plus a common A/C-compressor complaint and a free fuel-pump recall to confirm.

The 2018 is the final fourth-generation (SJ) Forester. It keeps the cam-carrier oil leak — the FB25 boxer's RTV-sealed cam-carrier seam that seeps oil with age and reseals out of warranty — as its main uncovered risk. Two 2018-specific complaints stand out: a seizing A/C compressor (owners note it's 'a common occurrence with this year and model') and ticking AVCS oil-control solenoids on cold start.

Three recalls apply and all are free: the Denso low-pressure fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine (21V587), the passenger-airbag occupant-sensor connector (19V701), and a certification-label correction for wrong tire/pressure info (18V455). There's also a separate fuel-pump warranty extension (2017–2020) beyond the recall. Confirm the recalls, inspect for oil seepage, and this is a sound last-of-the-line SJ.

Evidence: 487 NHTSA complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 4 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 487 federal complaints and three free recalls. It's the send-off year for the fourth-generation Forester: the cam-carrier oil leak still applies, an A/C-compressor failure is a common 2018 complaint, and the Denso fuel-pump recall is a must-verify.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

487

Federal complaints

3

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2018 Subaru Forester SUV AWD (NHTSA VehicleId 12402)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall — free, verify it

major

Recall 21V587 (Subaru code WRG-21) covers a Denso low-pressure fuel pump whose impeller can deform and interfere with the pump body, making the pump inoperative — the engine can run rough or stall without the ability to restart. Dealers replace the pump free. Separately, Subaru extended fuel-pump warranty coverage for 2017–2020 vehicles beyond the recall scope. A stall-risk recall is exactly the kind you want closed, so confirm 21V587 shows completed by VIN.

Fuel-pump replacement (recall)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Subaru Forester (true count 487) · NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (21V587, 19V701, 18V455; fuel-pump extension; oil-consumption program scope)

Cam-carrier oil leak — still the one uncovered repairmajor

The FB25 boxer's cam carrier is sealed to the head with RTV silicone, and the seam seeps oil with age and heat — the same pattern as the 2016–2017 cars and the mechanically related fifth-gen Outback. There's no extended coverage, so a reseal comes out of pocket (a 2016 sibling owner reported about $3,800). Inspect for oil weeping down the engine and a hot-oil smell; a dry engine is the reassuring sign.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Subaru Forester (true count 487) · Independent Subaru mechanic + owner channel transcripts (cam-carrier leak, oil-consumption teardown, gen4 buyers guide)

~$3,800

Cam-carrier reseal (owner-reported, 2016 sibling)

A/C compressor seizure — a common 2018 complaintmoderate

The 2018 file has a distinct cluster of A/C-compressor failures — owners report the compressor seizing and, in some cases, snapping the accessory belt, with several noting online consensus that it's common for this specific year and model. A seized compressor that takes the belt with it can strand the car. On the test drive, run the A/C hard and listen for grinding or a labored compressor; budget for a compressor replacement if it's already noisy, as this is out of warranty on most examples now.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Subaru Forester (true count 487)

Passenger-airbag sensor and label recalls — freemoderate

Two more free recalls: the passenger-seat Occupant Detection System (ODS — the sensor that decides whether the passenger airbag arms) connector that can loosen and deactivate the passenger airbag (19V701, 2015–2018 with heated seats), and a certification-label correction where the label may show incorrect tire size and pressure (18V455). Both are quick free fixes — confirm they're closed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (21V587, 19V701, 18V455; fuel-pump extension; oil-consumption program scope)

$0

ODS harness + label (recalls)

AVCS solenoid tick and oil consumption — condition checksminor

Some owners report a cold-start ticking traced to the AVCS (Active Valve Control System) oil-control solenoids, and a few report oil burning. Neither is a covered program on this year — the Subaru oil-consumption warranty extension ends at the 2015 model year and does not apply to the 2018. Treat cold-start tick and any oil burning as condition questions on the specific car: check the dipstick, ask for oil-change records, and listen on a cold start.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2018 Subaru Forester (true count 487) · Independent Subaru mechanic + owner channel transcripts (cam-carrier leak, oil-consumption teardown, gen4 buyers guide)

The A/c compressor seized up causing the belt to break. Looked up online and it seems it's a common occurrence with this year and model.
4 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Subaru dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 21V587Denso low-pressure fuel pump may fail and stall the engine (2018 Forester among many Subaru/Toyota models). Free pump replacement. Subaru code WRG-21.open
  2. 19V701Passenger-seat Occupant Detection System connector may loosen and deactivate the passenger airbag (2015–2018 Forester with heated seats). Free inspect/replace of the ODS sensor-mat harness. Subaru code WUM-98.open
  3. 18V455Certification label may indicate incorrect wheel/tire size and air pressure (FMVSS 110 non-compliance), 2018 Forester. Free corrected label. Subaru code WTS-78.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2018 Forester

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

24 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway) for the AWD, 2.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 38645 (Forester AWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 2.0L turbo (premium fuel) 25 MPG.

$2,600/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen about 49% less often than the average vehicle. One less thing to price into coverage.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Subaru Forester 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Subaru Forester 4dr 4WD with EyeSight 20, where 100 = average.

51 vs 100

49% below average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Fuel-pump replacement (recall)$0
Cam-carrier reseal (owner-reported, 2016 sibling)~$3,800
ODS harness + label (recalls)$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

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Have a specific one in your sights?

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Confirm all three recalls closed by VIN: fuel pump (21V587), passenger-airbag sensor (19V701), certification label (18V455).
  2. 02Run the A/C hard and listen for a grinding or labored compressor — the common 2018 failure; budget for a compressor if it's already noisy.
  3. 03Inspect the engine for cam-carrier oil seepage — a dry engine is the reassuring sign.
  4. 04Listen on a cold start for an AVCS-solenoid tick; check the dipstick and ask for oil-change records (no oil-consumption program covers this year).
  5. 05Ask about dead-battery history; confirm the 2015–2020 battery-drain extension work if present.
  6. 06Ask for CVT (continuously variable transmission — the automatic with no fixed gears) fluid service history — the strongest longevity sign on any Subaru.

Own one already?

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vincanary.com/subaru/forester/2018