2018 Subaru Forester acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 4, 2023MACrashFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Twice in the last 4 months, after turning into a parking place and accelerating gently to pull forward into the space, the car surged forward much more than it should have given my light acceleration. The first time this happened I slammed into a split rail fence which broke, damaging the vehicle. The fence parts went over a restraining wall and damaged a house. I was able to stop the car but it came very close to going over the 6 foot restraining wall, which might very well…

   NHTSA complaint #11558442 · source
2. Filed May 27, 2023FLAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While reversing out from a drive way and turning to get into the lane the cars velocity massively increased from no throttle coasting to approximately 20 mph. Panic braking and enough space due to it being a cul-de-sac saved us, but we were launched forward in our seats and slammed back during breaking. we were very fortunate not to have anyone or anything behind us as we nearly went over a curb and into a lawn. A very scary experience that has cast doubt onto this vehicles…

   NHTSA complaint #11524107 · source
3. Filed Jan 27, 2023CABrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I was the first car stopped at a red light of an intersection coming off the freeway, in far right lane. When the light turned green, as I released my foot off the brake and not even stepping on the gas the RPM surged with full force accelerating without my foot on the gas. I stepped on the brake but it would not engage - it locked. The steering wheel locked and only had minimal movement, as much movement as you would get in a parked position. There was no way to stop the…

   NHTSA complaint #11504015 · source
4. Filed Mar 12, 2022MICrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I took our 2018 Subaru Forester through a car wash. The usual washing procedure went just fine with me in the car idling in neutral as it went through. When it came to the end of the wash cycle, I coasted out and then shifted into drive. Instantly the car surged forward at an alarming speed and I could not stop it. The car crossed a busy street. I fortunately did not collide with cars. The car continued into a field next to a Ford dealer’s lot at a high speed and I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11456421 · source
5. Filed Mar 4, 202219,000 miMNAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH while pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle lurched forward. The contact stated that she heard the engine revving but did not notice any warning lights. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11455220 · source
6. Filed Feb 21, 2022NCCrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Unknown system that failed but vehicle equiped with EyeSight and all of Subaru safety features. Air bag did not deploy. Pulling into curbed parking space at city park. Speed <10 mph while in parking lot. Applied brake while pulling in space to park and car accelerated jumping the curb. The car was out of control and luckily heading into the woods. Tried to apply brake again but car kept accelerating. Car went approximately 10-12 feet and crashed into a tree. I suffered only…

   NHTSA complaint #11453186 · source
7. Filed Sep 6, 2021OKCrashEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Sudden unexplained acceleration incident. Car accelerated without input from driver and rear-ended a parked vehicle in front of the vehicle Eyesight system did not engage to warn or prevent impact with rear end of car in front. The vehicle was travelling at low speed and suddenly accelerated. This is dangerous because it does not provide enough time to prevent from hitting an object in front of the vehicle like a car or person. The problem has not been reproduced by by the…

   NHTSA complaint #11431872 · source
8. Filed Sep 6, 2021OKCrashEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Sudden unexplained acceleration incident. Car accelerated without input from driver and rear-ended a parked vehicle in front of the vehicle Eyesight system did not engage to warn or prevent impact with rear end of car in front. The vehicle was travelling at low speed and suddenly accelerated. This is dangerous because it does not provide enough time to prevent from hitting an object in front of the vehicle like a car or person. The problem has not been reproduced by by the…

   NHTSA complaint #11431870 · source
9. Filed Jun 23, 2021GAAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Follow up-to complaint #11420905 submitted 6/14/2021. The car was taken back to the dealership due to stall, hesitation, slowness, and erratic uncontrolled acceleration. Safety was the main issue. The dealer confirmed the concern and replaced the transmission with a remanufactured one. The problems still remain with the exception of the stalling. We believe this situation requires further thorough investigation and possible recall or new transmission installation.

   NHTSA complaint #11422048 · source
10. Filed Jun 14, 2021GAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    The 2018 Forrester XT was taken to Subaru Dealer (Gwinnett) for a routine 42,000-mile service. There were no issues with the car. Shortly after picking up and driving approximately 30 miles the car stalled twice at traffic lights. The engine was restarted but started to exhibit sluggish and erratic acceleration, especially from 0-45 MPH. The car was taken back to Gwinnett Subaru the next day. They did some data retrieval and found a mass airflow event, cleaned the air…

    NHTSA complaint #11420905 · source
11. Filed Apr 8, 202140,000 miCACrashTowedBody & StructureEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    I turned into a parking space covering the brake and came to a stop. I went to shift into park and when the gearshift lever started to move the car accelerated uncommanded and ran into the building.

    NHTSA complaint #11407119 · source
12. Filed Mar 29, 202118,000 miNYCrashAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru forester. The contact stated while driving 8 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning which resulted in the vehicle crashing into a parked vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (subaru white plains 258 e main st, elmsford, ny 10523, [phone removed]) where it's awaiting diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage…

    NHTSA complaint #11405351 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology