2018 Subaru Forester steering problems

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

On July 31, 2026, I was driving with my daughter when the a/c compressor clutch seized up and experienced a catastrophic compressor failure that also blew out the expansion valve o-rings. The failure led to a total loss of engine power and control of the vehicle. The car would not start back up because the clutch was seized and the pulleys wouldn’t turn. Luckily, I was in a residential neighborhood and cars were able to safely go around me. If this had happened on a highway or faster speed limit zone there could have been fatalities. There were tons of lights all over the dash as I attempted to restart the engine. The engine wouldn’t turn over until I gave it plenty of pedal pressure. This extra power to the engine during ignition freed the seized clutch and I was able to drive home without air conditioning. I parked outside in the driveway due to a strong odor of burning metal (probably clutch) when we arrived home. Several years earlier I had completed a Subaru recall WRB-21 for the condenser, and I believe this is directly related to the failure. Subaru of America denied my request for goodwill repair claim under claim 260810-210789 and won’t recognize this as a serious safety issue. There are hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube videos of complaints that the a/c compressor fails prematurely and SOA has only acknowledged the condenser failure. My vehicle has less than 70,000 miles and it has been verified by the dealership (North Park Subaru Dominion) as a “faulty” compressor and leaking expansion valve o-rings. I have requested the dealership to use tracer dye and ensure that metal shavings and debris are not in the closed loop system before replacing the a/c compressor and o-rings which will cause another failure of the entire system. I will also request that they save the compressor for inspection.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · FL

- Steering and suspension were affected. The car is available for inspection upon request. - My safety and the safety of others were affected by the fact that the car was shaking rather intensely while driving at highway speeds. I was worried a steering failure could occur. - My licensed mechanic diagnosed the problem as a right front lower control arm assembly problem with torn bushing. (Please see attached.) He replaced the assembly. Shortly thereafter, the steering wheel would feel occasionally loose and move on its own. The mechanic then did an alignment which did not help. The steering issue that came about after the control arm assembly was replaced is the subject of a complaint I filed with you yesterday: 11683647 - The problem being reported here has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others. - There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. - Interestingly, the failure of the control arm assembly occurred at 51012 miles, right after the warranty ran out. My wife and I are seniors and we drive with care. Under the circumstances, this component of the car should have lasted much longer than it did. Now we worry the left side assembly may fail, especially since we have a loose steering problem that I reported yesterday.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Steering · FL

1. The car's steering could be malfunctioning . The car is available for inspection upon request. 2. The steering wheel occasionally and without warning suddenly FEELS loose and "disconnected" from its ability to steer the car -- until I turn the steering wheel about a quarter to a half an inch and the steering FEELS normal again. I worry the issue (which so far has not interfered with steering the car) may worsen and possibly become hazardous. 3. I took the car to my regular licensed mechanic who did not experience the issue when he drove it. Nevertheless, the issue reported here exists as my wife and I have each experienced it. 4. The steering has not been inspected by Subaru, the police, insurance reps or others, other than my regular mechanic who has found no issues with the steering. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the issue first occurring except for the replacement of a tie rod by my regular mechanic, which may be coincidental. 6. This issue has existed since at least last February with no worsening of the condition. My regular mechanic has assured me there is no danger as he has checked the mechanical aspects of the steering (linkages, tie rods, etc.).

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · NC

I would like to bring your attention to an issue I recently had experienced concerning my 2018 Subaru Forester that I had purchased new in June of 2018, and to date has only 48,518 miles. A steering rattle sound/vibration had developed while driving at normal speeds on paved roadways. I made an appointment with my local Subaru dealer to have the condition checked out. After a test drive and inspection by the technician, it was determined that both front transverse bushings needed to be replaced, and a wheel alignment performed following the repair. I have done some research and discovered that Subaru had changed the inferior material of the cushion portion of the front transverse bushing due to premature failure of the component (Reference: Subaru TSB 05-63-18R). It is negligent for Subaru not to inform the consumers knowing that a potential safety issue existed in the steering system of the vehicle. I believe the Subaru corporation should have initiated a recall of the effected vehicles and replace the defective components, at no cost to the consumer, in order to restore the safety and drivability of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · TX

LCA lower control arm front bushing on Right and Left front for 2018 Subaru Forester is a known issue with EVERY Forester. Mine had only 55K miles when the Right Front started shaking and now the left is doing so and I am only at 60K miles!!

Filed Jul 6, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

Starting up the car in the morning after a long day stuck in traffic (over 100 degree F weather), moved about 5 feet then the eyesight system stopped working, rear braking stopped, and power steering gave out - the car started and the engine ran normally. The car was abandoned as unsafe until diagnostics could be performed and a different car was used to get around . That evening the car started up fine, also the next morning to reproduce conditions. Tested the battery, which showed "good" (93% charge/40%healthy). I suspect that, in the morning the A/C, headlights, radio, backup lights, etc... put a large draw on the electrical system resulting in a system wide shutdown of adaptive features - However loss of power steering is insane and can easily result in death if it happens while driving especially while making a turn if the driver is not prepared/strong enough to force it. The linking of non-critical system to help the driver to an essential system is just asking for trouble.

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Steering · SC

While driving steering wheel freezes and driver is not able to control steering.Engine quits .

Filed Apr 11, 2023 · Steering · OH

When the vehicle is driven 60 MPH or greater, the front end/steering starts to vibrate and rattle.

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · NJ

Steering wheel locking intermittently, without warning. white car symbol appears between lanes, followed by green car symbol as the wheel locks. Took the car to Liberty Subaru, my dealer, Emerson, NJ. First two times garage unable to replicate the problem, no repairs done. Third time this happened to me, the car started rocking from side to side on the road as the wheel remained locked, terrifying. I called the dealer, they told me to turn off the safety system (lane assist) which I did. Back to the same garage, same outcome. Could not replicate the problem. 4th time this happened to me, I had not reset the lane assist and the same warning symbols appeared as the wheel locked. Back to garage, told me they were not going to give me a loaner car as they cannot replicate the problem. Reported to Subaru of America, no response to first email. Second email acknowledged receipt and gave me a case number: Case# 230306-0200125. Car remains at Liberty Subaru, it is dangerous to drive. I will end up in an accident as I cannot control the car when the wheel is locked, and I will endanger others on the road at the same time. Dates are approx, occurred 4 different days over two weeks approx. Speed ranged from 41 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour when it occurred,

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · 77,978 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after 5 minutes she was able to start the vehicle and to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,978.