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: visibility/wiper
233 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2018
WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKS - WE HAVE HAD OUR 2018 OUTBACK FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 5000 MILES AND HAVE HAD 3 WINDSHIELDS DEVELOP SEVERE CRACKING. THE FIRST TWO WERE REPLACED WITH FACTORY WINDSHIELDS BY PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT, THE LAST TWO BEING BARELY PERCEIVABLE, RESULTS IN AN ELONGATED CRACK FORMING. WITH FOUR VEHICLES IN OUR HOUSEHOLD, WE HAVE ONLY HAD 2 WINDSHIELDS REPLACED IN 14 YEARS SINCE MOVING TO THIS AREA SO HAVE RULED OUT BAD LUCK OR DRIVING HABIT. SUBARU (BOTH DEALER AND CORPORATE) HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE. THE CURRENT CRACKING AND STAR FORMED AFTER A BARELY AUDIBLE IMPACT. THE STAR GREW AND IS NOW CRUMBLING IN THE CENTER WITH 3 FRACTURE LINES EXTENDING FROM IT. FIRST INCIDENT - ON I-17 WHILE PASSING A SEMI APPROX SPEED 75 MPH SECOND INCIDENT - ON AZ 69 IN NORMAL TRAFFIC APPOX SPEED 45 MPH THIRD INCIDENT - ON I-17 WHILE FOLLOWING A VEHICLE USING ISIGHT DYNAMIC CRUISE CONTROL APPROX SPEED 75 MPH FIRST TWO CLAIMS COVERED BY INSURANCE WHICH WE ATTRIBUTED TO BAD LUCK. THIRD INCIDENT IN SO FEW MONTHS/MILES SEEMS TO POINT TO QUALITY/DESIGN ISSUE SINCE OTHER VEHICLES (PAST AND PRESENT) HAVE NEVER DEVELOPED THIS SEVERE CRACKING (PICTURE PROVIDED) WHICH PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT.
Visibility/wiper, May 2, 2018
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS IN MY FIELD OF VIEW! I AM ONLY 5'4" AND I LIKE TO RAISE MY SEAT ALL THE WAY UP TO GIVE ME GOOD VISIBILITY. IF I DO THAT , THE REAR VIEW MIRROR GETS IN MY WAY, I HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO LOOK UNDER THE MIRROR!! ONE OTHER THING, IF I DO RAISE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY UP, I HAVE NO "ARMREST" THE ARMREST CAN NOT BE RAISED, SO THAT TOO MAKES ME LOWER MY SEAT!! THE MIRROR IS TOO LOW AND SO ARE THE ARMRESTS!!!!! HUGE BLIND SPOT!!!!
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2018
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACKED, LOWER MID AREA EXTENDED UPWARD ABOUT 12 INCHES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED. WAS NOT HIT BY ANY ROAD DEBRIS. NOTICED DEFECT WHEN STARTING CAR.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2018
LEFT SIDEVIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ROTATE FAR ENOUGH TO LEFT: A PERSON OR VEHICLE WITHIN 3 FEET OR GREATER DISTANCE OF LEFT SIDE AND ADJACENT WITH AFT OF LEFT REAR DOOR (IE, PARALLEL TO THE BREAK LINE OF THE DOOR WHERE IT CLOSES) CANNOT BE SEEN IN SIDE VIEW MIRROR. A REPLACEMENT MIRROR WAS INSTALLED BY DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. CHECKING OUT ANOTHER NEW 2018 OUTBACK RESULTED IN SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE WILL RESULT IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS WITH DRIVER-SIDE IMPACTS OR OTHER, BOTH WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR WORKS WELL WITH COMPLETE VIEW ANGLE OF ADJACENT LANE OR FURTHER IF REQUIRED.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2018
A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 7 INCHES IN LENGTH, RUNNING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW - WHERE IT MEETS THE RUBBER GASKET OF THE DOOR - UP AND TO THE RIGHT. IT OBSCURES THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR. THIS CRACK APPEARED SUDDENLY ON 2/21/18. PRIOR TO THIS, WE NOTICED A BUBBLING OR WARPING OF THE WINDOW IN THE TOP LEFT AREA THAT DISTORTED THE VIEW - THIS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON THE NHTSA SITE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2018
THERE IS A DISTORTED VIEW THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE LEASE WAS SIGNED AT, BOTH TELL ME THAT BECAUSE IT'S TEMPERED GLASS, THAT'S HOW THEY COME. THIS IS VISIBLE WHEN IN MOTION OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH YOU'RE ALMOST LOOKING THROUGH A FISHBOWL. I'VE SAT IN NUMEROUS VEHICLES ON THE LOT THAT ALL APPEAR TO BE THE SAME. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY'RE UNABLE TO BE UPLOADED SINCE THE FILE SIZE IS TOO BIG. SUBARU IS OFFERING ME A CASH SETTLEMENT TO DEAL WITH THIS FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS, BUT I AM NOT FEELING TOO COMFORTABLE WITH TAKING THAT OFFER.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 12, 2018
THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICTED IN COMPARISON TO THE PASSENGER OUTSIDE SIDE MIRROR. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE OF AN OPERATOR BEING IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO REDUCED AWARENESS AND/OR NEEDED INCREASED REACTION TIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE BLIND SIGHT MONITORING SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THE ONLY SYSTEM TO DETECT VEHICLES IN YOUR BLIND SPOT. SUBARU DOES NEED TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 20, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ADJUST FAIR ENOUGH TO SEE MY BLIND SPOT WELL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS ON POPULAR SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.