Recall 18V455 affects 3,654 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles for an incorrect certification label. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 3,654 2018 Forester SUVs because the certification label can show the wrong wheel size, tire size, and tire air pressure. That label error can lead to incorrect tires or pressure and a higher crash risk; Subaru dealers will install a corrected label free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2018 Subaru Forester has a certification label on the vehicle that tells owners and shops the correct wheel size, tire size, and tire pressure. That label is part of the basic setup information used when tires are replaced, pressures are checked, or wheels are matched to the vehicle. The printed information needs to match the exact Forester configuration.
On the recalled Foresters, the label was printed with the wrong wheel size, tire size, and air pressure information. Subaru traced the problem to a production oversight for this special edition option code. The vehicle itself is not missing a tire or wheel part; the defect is the incorrect Part 567 label, which gives the wrong setup information.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or tire shop would see the problem only by comparing the vehicle's label with the corrected Subaru label information for recall 18V455.
Who's affected?
The scope ties tire fitment to the vehicle label, so a matching model year still needs VIN confirmation.
| 2018 Subaru Forester | tire |
|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Forester | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 3,654 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrect tire information can lead an owner or shop to install the wrong tires or set the wrong tire pressure, which increases the risk of a crash. Until the corrected label is installed, confirm tire size and pressure with a Subaru dealer before replacing tires or adjusting pressure. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Subaru Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free corrected-label installation.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V455 when you call.
- Avoid changing tires or setting tire pressure based only on the existing certification label until the corrected label is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician installs a corrected certification label so the vehicle shows the right wheel size, tire size, and air pressure information. The label repair, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related label correction before the recall notice. Bring documentation for the paid repair to the service desk and ask Subaru customer service how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 9, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| July 9, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 10, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V455?
Recall 18V455 covers 3,654 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles with a certification label that lists incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure information. Subaru dealers will install a corrected label for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Subaru Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forester is included in recall 18V455. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the corrected certification label under recall WTS-78. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Subaru dealers will install the corrected certification label free of charge, and Subaru customer service is available at 1-844-373-6614 for recall WTS-78.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is incorrect tire and air pressure information on the certification label. If an owner or shop follows the wrong label and installs incorrect tires or sets incorrect tire pressure, crash risk increases.
What if I bought my 2018 Subaru Forester used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Forester is included, then reference recall 18V455 or Subaru recall WTS-78 when you call a franchised Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V455000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V455 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V455000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →