2018 Subaru Forester: Control arm bushings failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Forester report: control arm bushings failure. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 57,600 miles.
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints for the 2018 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11698416 (filed 11/09/2025): “I was driving on the interstate when car started vibrating and making a terrible sound. dealership advised both front lower control arm bushings were worn and had play. had them replaced but because they are rubber technician advised this will most likely happ…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11684489 (filed 09/02/2025): “- 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 failur…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace control arms and bushings (4 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Shocks/struts can be DIY with proper spring compressors; air suspension diagnosis needs a scan tool. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,300 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: control arm replacement (one arm, bushings and ball joint included in the arm)
Average shop cost
$240
Range $100–$415 (labor)
1.0–3.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$360
Range $150–$625 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Page last updated .