2018 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 488 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE READINGS ARE BETWEEN 3-7 DEGREES OFF. DEALER SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. AN I TO ASSUME THE TIRE PRESSURE, ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND OIL…”NHTSA complaint 11256854 — filed 09/20/2019
“THE EYESIGHT HAD BEEN MANIPULATED TO A WARNING EVEN WHEN THERE'S NO OBSTRUCTION WHILE DRIVING FORWARD, WHILE BACKING UP IT GIVES A WARNING THAT SOMEONE…”NHTSA complaint 11176202 — filed 02/11/2019
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11124519 — filed 09/05/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Subaru Forester have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Subaru Forester: 66 of 488 complaints on file (13.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Subaru Forester have in total?
488 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 26 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
