2018 Subaru Forester: engine stalls while driving

Filed May 19, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

Fuel Pump. Stalled in intersection in middle lane at expressway entrance. Car stalled 3 x before I could move out of intersection to safety. Kept pressing gas peddle but car would not move then sputtered going a few feet before stopping again. 3x Cars were going thru light and around me at 45 mph. Honking, swerving into other lane, barely avoiding hitting my car as well as other cars.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

2018 Subaru Forester stalling in intersection Prior there was an occasional delay in starting. After light changed I was starting to move down a hill toward expressway entrance at about 25 mph. I was in the middle lane and all cars were coming behind me at 50mph. I just entered the intersection when my car just stopped. It would not move. I was trying the gas pedal but car did not move. Suddenly it began jerky movements, moved a few feet, sputtering and stopped again. Now I’m in the middle of the intersection. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw cars speeding down hill, honking as they went around me. The car repeated jerky movements, moved a few feet and stopped again. I was still in the intersection and light was about to change. It finally repeated the jerky movements, etc until it stopped a third time. Fortunately I was out of the intersection and along the roadside. I reflected on what had just happened a few minutes. Then I made my way back home 35 minutes slowly driving on back roads allowing cars to pass just in case it would happen again. Dealer told me there was extended warranty on fuel pump but he could not repair as he could not duplicate stalling. How many times do I have to stall in City trafficI or expressway before my fuel pump will be replaced? I had a kidney transplant that saved my life. I will not let a safety recalled fuel pump put me in danger again.

Filed Sep 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · OK · crash

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 manufacturer who sent a technician who inspected the vehicle and could not find any saved info in the event data recorder or saved diagnostics codes. Complaints were filed with the dealership before the incident that the eyesight system did not appear to be functioning correctly. The first time this has happened was 6/02/2021 in the afternoon on a clear day on a clear pathway without any obstructions. The second time this happened was 9/06/2021. The second incident the vehicle accelerated while travelling at low speed with the eyesight system briefly warning tone beeping. The brakes were applied quickly and the car seemed almost to stall. The engine made a noise as the stalling conditions ended and the car went back to normal. Subaru filed a service report SR# 1-70302162357. State Farm opened a claim 3620R756C.

Filed Sep 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · OK · crash

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 manufacturer who sent a technician who inspected the vehicle and could not find any saved info in the event data recorder or saved diagnostics codes. Complaints were filed with the dealership before the incident that the eyesight system did not appear to be functioning correctly. The first time this has happened was 6/02/2021 in the afternoon on a clear day on a clear pathway without any obstructions. The second time this happened was 9/06/2021. The second incident the vehicle accelerated while travelling at lo speed with the eyesight system briefly warning tone beeping. The brakes were applied quickly and the carr seemed almost to stall. The engine made a noise as the stalling conditions ended and the car went back to normal. Subaru filed a service request previously. SR# 1-70302162357.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Transmission · CO

The CVT transmission is begining to fail, the car has come near stalling several times and has a very rough/lurching shift while accelerating onto highways and merging. Subaru dealership says it does not qualify for a warranty replacement even though Subaru extended the warranty specifically for this problem.

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Acceleration, Transmission · GA

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · GA

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 filter, test drove the car, and released it to us. The next few days, the same problems were experienced but the car did not stall. At one point, at a traffic light, the car would simply not accelerate even with full pedal pressure which was gradually increased. When it finally did, it was uncontrolled and erratic. Highway driving once speed was reached seemed normal, but any acceleration from a slower speed was problematic. On Monday 6-14-2021 the car was taken back to the dealer due to serious concerns about safety and the possibility of the loss of power when critically needed or when on the highway. The dealer promised to investigate the problem further. That evening, we were informed that it was their assessment that the car would need a brand new CVT transmission. The car has approximately 41,100 miles and we were told that it would be covered by the 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Expected to take 7-10 days for repair.

Filed Nov 25, 2019 · Transmission · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru forester. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and sometimes lost power. The vehicle restarted after it was shut off. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to subaru sherman oaks (888‑690‑1521, located at 5747 van nuys blvd, van nuys, ca 91401) where the technician test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that someone would follow up with the dealer. The contact was not called back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · 7,650 miles · NV

My 2018 subaru forester xt shut off while driving 2 times on 7/26/18. Nothing happened, no warning lights,it just shut off while driving. And came to a sudden stop in a matter of seconds -I was going 40 MPH. After it shut off the battery light came one, the check engine, and the esp electronic stability light came on. Extreamly heart stopping to have your vehicle shut off/stall, whatever, while on a road, especially a highway. Luckily I was on a street where I could get to the side before it completely stopped. But I had just gotten off the freeway however I commute to work one a freeway. If this happens again today, I pray I'm not on the freeway or anywhere where I can't safely get over on time before I'm hit. It started again no problem, then stalled again in my driveway 10 minutes later. My vehicle is an automatic CVT transmission and shouldn't stall while driving.

Filed Jul 15, 2018 · Airbags · CO

For 2 months since may 19, 2018, the airbag warning sensor light goes on my dashboard while driving and the passenger airbag 'off' warning light also goes on ' see attached photo. This occurrence happens almost every time I drive my vehicle. I brought the vehicle to the dealer twice for repair but the problem still exists. Subaru ' starlink program has notified me with numerous emails that I should have this serious safety issue fixed as soon as possible. After not receiving any satisfaction from the dealer, I called and written twice to subaru USA headquarters in cherry hill, nj explaining this serious safety issue of having no active passenger airbag while driving. They stated that a part has to be ordered to repair this serious issue but it has now been 4 weeks since my initial call to headquarters with no results. I feel that they are stalling as there may not be an easy fix available. I'm extremely concern to drive the vehicle without an active passenger airbag protection for the safety of my wife if we were in an accident and there was no airbag deployment.

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Transmission · 200 miles · IL

The car will periodically stall for a second or two on occassions when starting out and then accelerate with a jolt. When in traffic this is unacceptable. I understand this may be common with CVT transmissions. If that is the case I question why they are allowed on the road. I wll not purchase another subaru or any other car with a CVT.