The 2018 Subaru Forester is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl engines. Even at 8 years old, a damaged or broken-down one still has real value for its parts. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 22–26 city / 27–32 highway / 24–28 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,400–$3,300 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 315–368 grams per mile |
| EPA fuel economy score | 5–6 out of 10 |
| EPA greenhouse gas score | 5–6 out of 10 |
| Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle) | 3,395 lb |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,480–4,652 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 3 configurations |
| Age | 8 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2018 Subaru Forester. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Risk: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 498 complaints about the 2018 Subaru Forester with NHTSA. 26 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 9 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Subaru Forester.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suv, AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 16.9% |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
Manufacturers have filed 411 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2018 Subaru Forester. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
This bulletin announces Warranty Extension and design changes made to the front exhaust pipe and covers to address the concerns of some customers regarding an odor or a r
This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2018 Subaru Forester.
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a capacitive
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2018 Foresters that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Forester; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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