2018 Subaru Forester fuel/propulsion system problems
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2018 Subaru Forester — 4% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Discovered (06/08/26) that the engine would not turn over without the accelerator being pushed down when warm from driving after resting 30-60 minutes. Car was taken to Capital Subaru. No codes were triggered. The throttle body was cleaned. No change. The Crankshaft Position Sensor was replaced…”
filed Aug 9, 2026
“Yesterday 6/19/25 I was driving out the driveway when the vehicle accelerated on its own, and not slowly, but like it had been punched. I was actually coasting at the time since I didn't want to stir up dust. My foot was not on the gas pedal. And it was not the floor mat. It happened on its own…”
filed Jun 20, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 Forester | 13 | 14% |
| 2023 Forester | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 Forester | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 Forester | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 Forester | 12 | 2% |
| 2019 Forester | 22 | 3% |
| 2017 Forester | 11 | 2% |
| 2016 Forester | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 Forester | 55 | 9% |
| 2014 Forester | 15 | 4% |
| 2013 Forester | 2 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.