2018 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 811 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 27 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 29, 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Campaign 21V587000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, rearview mirrors/devicesDec 31, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Campaign 18V935000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareNov 1, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Campaign 18V773000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
160 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2021
Since June of 2020, my 2018 Subaru Outback has now had four cracked windshields with little to no explanation. The first crack was repaired by a Subaru dealership, only to crack again within 24 hours. The same dealership refused to cover the cost of the second windshield replacement. Then in Nov 2020, it cracked again and a different Subaru dealership did cover the cost of the third windshield replacement, but only after filing a compliant with Subaru Corporate. Now in May 2021, the windshield has cracked again with little to no impact and needs to be replaced. Each time the windshield cracked, it significantly spread across the the windshield within hours, and poses a risk to driving. Please assist, as I am aware of active lawsuit for this same type of car misfunction occurring with other 2018 Subaru models, and cannot afford to have a car continue to have this issue.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2021
My Subaru Starlink Infotainment System has been inoperative since my local dealer attempted to install an update. The update is on back order. I was not informed that this system is no inoperative and if I were in a collision or other emergency the system would not be able to notify 911 dispatchers of my emergency or location. There are now warning lights to tell me the system is inop. I contacted Subaru of America and they provided me with a phone number to Starlink. They are not accepting responsibility. Starlink has refused to provide a refund. There was a class action lawsuit against Subaru that was filed in 2017.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, May 2, 2021, crash
I WAS PARKING MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM NEXT TO MY HOUSE ON MY PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON A BRAKE PEDAL, IT LEFT AROUND 50'' TO COMPLETE A PARKING, LIKE SUDDENLY MY CAR START MOVING FORWARD EVEN THAT I WAS STRONGLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR WENT OVER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE THAT IS NEXT TO MY PARKING SPOT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. CAR FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED. TODAY, MY CAR IS IN BODY SHOP. IT WAS VERY SCARE EXPERIENCE. FROM MY BACKGROUND I AM DRIVING 12 YEARS WITHOUT ANY CAR ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2021
THIS CAR HAS HAD BATTERY DRAINAGE ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2017. IT HAS ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT AND AND IS ON IT'S 3RD BATTERY. THE CAR MUST BE JUMP-STARTED IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IF I DRIVE THE CAR FOR A SHORT TRIP. IT ALSO OCCURS IF I TAKE LONGER TRIPS (I.E. 100 MILES) IN THAT THE BATTERY WILL BE DELETED IF I DO NOT DRIVE IT WITHIN 7 DAYS OR SO, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR JUMP-STARTED PROBABLY 20-30 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUALLY BLAMES ME FOR THE PROBLEM AND SAYS I SHOULD NOT EXPECT THE CAR TO START IF I DO NOT START IT EVERY DAY. MOST OF THE TIME, I HAVE TO BORROW MY MOTHER'S BUICK TO HAVE A WORKING CAR. BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DYING, THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK AND HAVE TO BE RESET AFTER EACH BATTERY DRAINAGE. I OWNED A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK PRIOR TO TRADING UP TO THE 2018 MODEL. I HAVE THE EXACT DRIVING HABITS NOW AS I DID WITH THE 2014 MODEL. THE 2014 MODEL NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE STARTING. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED BY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM I'M HAVING. I CANNOT FULLY EXPRESS HOW DEEPLY I HATE THIS CAR AND REGRET TRADING UP. IT IS NOT RELIABLE. I HAVE PURCHASED A NOCO BOOST PLUS TO START MY CAR EACH TIME SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CALL TOW SERVICES. THE BATTERY ON THIS CAR IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO START THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER INSUFFICIENT BATTERY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY LOW MILEAGE IS THE REASON MY CAR WON'T START, CLAIMING I DON'T DRIVE IT ENOUGH. THIS IS INFURIATING. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT HAS LOW MILEAGE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT START AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT, AND BORROWED MY MOTHER'S CAR FOR THE FIRST 2 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY ISSUES ON THE SUBARU. THEY DO NOT CARE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2021
BATTERIES DRAINED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. OLD BATTERY REPLACED WITH NEW ONE AND THE NEW ONE WAS DEAD 24 HOURS AFTER REPLACEMENT
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
IN A RURAL TOWN I WAS DRIVING 30MPH. WEATHER WAS OVERCAST 60 DEGREES WITH OCCASIONAL SHOWERS. I WAS MOVING STRAIGHT. ROAD WAS WELL PAVED. NO CLOSE CAR IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. CAR MAY HAVE APPROACHED FROM OTHER DIRECTION... UNSURE. HEARD A EXPLOSIVE SOUND FROM ROOF, FOLLOWED BY TINKLING OF DEBRE FALLING OFF CAR. THE SOUND WAS SIMILAR TO FROZEN SNOW OR ICE COMING OFF THE ROOF OF A CAR IN WINTER. I STOPPED THE CAR AND FOUND SUNROOF HAD A HOLE SIZE OF LARGE CANTELOPE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE SUNROOF "EXPLODED" WITH A LOAD NOISE AND RAINED PIECES OF GLASS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. NO ROCK OR OTHER PROJECTILE WAS SEEN COMING TOWARD THE CAR. IT SEEMED SPONTANEOUS. SPEED WAS 65 MPH. ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND WELL PAVED. NO VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN RUN THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC TOUCHLESS CARWASH ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2021
NAVIGATION SYSTEM GIVES WRONG DIRECTIONS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. ACCURATE VOICE COMMAND IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND REALIZE I AM LOST AND NEED TO FIND OUT WHEN TO BEGIN TO MOVE OVER AND TO EXIT IT IS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND MY VERY CLEAR SPEECH.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2021
THE BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN VERY QUICKLY AND WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY BUT DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS GONE BAD SO QUICKLY. I WAS STUCK A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH A SUDDENLY DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DRAINING HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND I GO OFF THE WARRANTY IN ANOTHER MONTH. I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR OUTBACK. THIS OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK STARTING AT THE VERY BOTTOM BELOW THE PLASTIC EDGE, WITH NOT APPARENT IMPACT SITE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2021
REAR GATE MALFUNCTIONS SOMETIMES DOESN'T OPEN SOMETIMES DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY (THIS ALLOWS EXHAUST GASES TO BE DRAWN INTO THE VEHICLE) WHEN YOU DRIVE WITH THE GATE NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED. DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING FOR NO REASON. THR FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN OCTOBER 2020. WE JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT. IT DIED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ONE FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE. APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER IN DECEMBER 2020 IT DID THE SAME THING. WE WENT TO START IT UP AND IT WOULDN'T START. WE JUMPED IT AND DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY SO I PAID FOR A REPLACEMENT. EXACTLY A MONTH LATER, JANUARY 2021, I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY IS AGAIN DEAD. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2021
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SCREEN FOR THE BACKUP CAMERA, PERIODICALLY REMAINS DARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I DO NOT HAVE THE USE OF THE BACK UP CAMERA.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 8, 2020
JANUARY 27, 2020 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON NJ HWY 29 TO MY SON'S HOME. SMALL ROCK HIT WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CRACK, LESS THAN 1 INCH. I CALLED INSURANCE WHO WOULD SEND A MOBILE REPAIR TRUCK TO REPAIR IT ONSITE AT MY SON'S HOUSE. AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CRACK GETTING BIGGER. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT MY SON'S, 45 MINUTES LATER, THE CRACK WAS MORE THAN 7 INCHES LONG AND WIDENING AND GROWING HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY. THE CRACK SO SO BIG. THE INSURANCE REP SAID MOBILE GLASS REPAIR COULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO BIG. I HAD TO BRING IT IN FOR A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON JANUARY 29, 2020 AT SAFELITE AUTO GLASS IN EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ THE TOTAL COST FOR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION WAS $1,011.23.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON ON JULY 25,2019. PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEADED DOWN THE STREET WHEN IT WAS STARTING TO CRACK. TOKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK. FIRST TIME IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING TO EVER HAVE A WINDSHIELD CRACK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
BATTERY CONSISTENTLY DRAINS AND CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY IS NEW, REPLACED IN 2020. CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR LESS THAN 12 HOURS WHEN IT WILL NOT START. CAR HAS BEEN JUMPED, TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATE "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT", THEN WITHIN 1-4 DAYS USUALLY HAPPENS AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE 10/03/2020.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2020
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE, WILL GO UP THAN DOWN HALF WAY. IF TRYING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW WHEN IT STARTS TO RAIN/SNOW AND IT DOES'T CLOSE CAN BE A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 70MPH. THIS HAS BEEN PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR AND REPORTED TOO SUBARU DURING THE WARRANTY, ALSO KNOW ON THE INTERNET FOR A LONG TIME. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF STOPPED OR DRIVING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 8, 2020
BATTERY DIES PREMATURELY, IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS, OR IF PARKED AND REAR HATCH IS OPENED AND CLOSED A FEW TIMES. DEAD BATTERY LEFT ME STRANDED FIVE TIMES SINCE 3/5/2019. BATTERY TESTED WELL AT DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, SO WAS NOT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT FAILED A DRAW TEST.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
ON INFREQUENT YET MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN SPRING 2018, AFTER HANGING UP FROM A BLUETOOTH PHONE CALL, THE RADIO WOULD BLAST AT FULL DECIBELS AND BE UNRESPONSIVE TO ATTEMPTED ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL. ON ALL OCCASIONS EXCEPT FOR TODAY'S EVENT, I WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS, BECOMING STARTLED, THEN HAVING TO IMMEDIATELY TRY TO RECTIFY THE EAR-BLASTING SOUND. TODAY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, HAVING TURNED OFF THE ENGINE--THE RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY AND THE BLUETOOTH REMAINS LIVE IN AN OUTBACK FOR 5 MORE MINUTES, UNTIL THE DOOR IS OPENED--I MADE A CALL, HUNG UP, AND THE RADIO VOLUME WAS FINE; I IMMEDIATELY MADE ANOTHER CALL, HUNG UP, AND THE RADIO BLASTED AT FULL DECIBELS AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS UNABLE TO ELICIT A RESPONSE BY TURNING THE VOLUME KNOB, WITH THE RADIO STOPPING SHORTLY THEREAFTER BECAUSE IT HAD REACHED THE 5-MINUTE LIMIT. THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHETHER I HUNG UP FIRST OR THE OTHER PERSON HUNG UP FIRST. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO RAFFERTY SUBARU ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WITH A VARIETY OF FIXES ATTEMPTED, MOST RECENTLY BY SWAPPING OUT MY AMP WITH ONE FROM A LOANER VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG FORUM, WITH OTHERS ACHIEVING NO RESOLUTION AS WELL, AND WITH OTHER BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THIS UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAYS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE 2019 AND 2020 MODELS AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING A ROCK.. NOT A LARGE ONE, CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD WHICH ULTIMATELY PROGRESSED THROUGH OUT THE WINDSHIELD. ONE OTHER TIME A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING DAMAGE TO IT. I ALSO HAD A ROCK HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE SECOND ROW WINDOW WHICH COMPLETELY SHATTERED IT. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION FOR THE WINDSHIELD ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY OCCURENCE BUT STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WITH PASSENGER WINDOW DAMAGE.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 80. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2020
THE CAR WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL IMPACT WHILE PARKED. THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE TOP ON PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDED VERTICALLY TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK IMPAIRED THE ABILITY OF THE EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SAFETY CRITICAL FEATURES LIKE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND LANE KEEP ASSIST.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2020
DEAD, DRAINED BATTERY- NO RESPONSE FROM CAR, UNABLE TO EVEN OPEN WITH KEY FOB. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE AT HOME. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 19, 2020
THIS MODEL HAS SEVERE BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY JUMP OR CHARGE THE BATTERY AFTER JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF THE LIFT GATE OR SIDE DOORS BEING OPEN. THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF BUT THEY STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN AN "OUTDOOR" VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT TAILGATE, USE THE LIFT GATE TO MAKE A TENT, KEEPS DOORS OPEN WHEN UNLOADING. SUBARU GIVES YOU AN UNDER-POWERED CHEAP BATTERY AND HAS THE DRAIN ISSUE. I CANNOT USE THE CAR AS MARKETED. I FINALLY GOT FED UP WITH THE ISSUE SO FAR AND PURCHASED MY OWN LARGER BATTERY. SOA HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THIS, BUT THE UNDERLYING ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I SUSPECT ON THE LIFT GATE THERE IS POWER CONTINUALLY FLOWING TO IT WHEN OPEN SO IT IS READY TO CLOSE WHEN YOU PUSH THE CLOSE BUTTON. THIS NEED A KILL SWITCH. MY BEHAVIOR WITH THIS CAR IS NO DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND THEIR BATTERIES DID NOT DIE. THIS IS NOT USER ERROR, BUT A BAD DESIGN. THE WEB IS FULL OF SIMILARLY FRUSTRATED OWNERS. I'LL PUT THE LAST DATE I HAD TO CALL AAA, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. EVEN AN HOUR OF THE LIFT GATE OPEN SEEMS TO SEVERELY DRAIN THE BATTERY. MY PARENTS HAVE A 2016 AND I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THIS ISSUE? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IN THE WILD WITH A DEAD CAR. *TR