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
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.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 7, 2020
PURCHASED SUBARU IN 2019 AND NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS AFTER OWNING FOUND THE WINDOW HAD A CRACK STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GOING UP AND THEN THE WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR ANY ITEMS THAT WOULD HAVE CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT CRACKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2020
ON ROUTE 6 WAS TRAVELING BEHIND A TRUCK AND HAD ROAD DEBRIS THROWN AT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING PUTTING AND ONE WITH SPIDER CRACKS RADIATING FROM IT.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS A CRACK APPEARED ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A SMALL CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. NONE OF THESE WERE CAUSED BY ANY OBJECTS THAT I OBSERVED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, BUT MAYBE A SMALLER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AT SOME POINT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF LIMITED USE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOR DID ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AS OF LATE, OTHER CRACKS HAVE STARTED TO FORM AND GROW ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THEY ARE SO SEVERE, THAT I MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLASS AS IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION OTHERWISE. I HAVE HEARD OTHER CLAIMS FROM SUBARU OWNERS AND WISH THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD FINALLY RECALL THE FAULTY PRODUCT AND SUPPLY US WITH A QUALITY PRODUCT LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS THE LOWER HALF FOR NO REASON. I WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT MADE A LOUD POP AND CRACKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE REPLACE THE ORIGINAL WINDOW ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THIS ONE JUST CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE GLASS WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. ALSO, THE FRONT GLASS WINDSHIELD HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL CRACKS PREVIOUSLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS CAR HAS CHIPPED 10+ TIMES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PIECE OF GLASS CHIP SO MANY TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LONG CRACK STARTING AT THE LEFT EDGE. THE CRACK CONTINUES UP AND TO THE RIGHT CROSSING IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW AREA.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2020
OUTBACK 2018 WINDSHIELD STARTED SHOWING CRACKS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 1 HOUR IN HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY SAW THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING . IN 15 MINS, THE CRACK GOT BIGGER AND IT WAS VERY TENSED CONDITION SINCE I HAD MY WIFE , NEW BORN BABY AND OLD PARENTS IN THE CAR. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED MY INSURANCE TO CHECK ABOUT THE CONDITION . I HAD SPEND MY NEW YEAR DAY ON HIGHWAY DISCUSSING THE ISSUE. IT WAS A DISTRESSFUL DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2020
MULTIPLE CHIPS INVOLVING THE WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT OBVIOUS REASON
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2020
WE HAVE HAD 3 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON 3/31/18. WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE DEALER EACH TIME AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1100-1200 EACH TIME. EACH TIME WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 9, 2020
IN THE FIRST 1.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. IT CRACKED THE FIRST TIME WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE COLD AND WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER. ONE WEEK AFTER IT WAS REPLACED IT CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH NO VEHICLES WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE CAR. I'VE READ AND HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS THIS PROBLEM IS ONE THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE OUTBACKS OF THIS MODEL YEAR.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2020
WINDSHIELD JUST STARTING CRACKING FOR NO REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 4, 2020
I WENT OUT TO MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING AND THE WINDSHIELD HAD A 6 INCH "T" SHAPED CRACK STARTING WITH A SINGLE CRACK EMANATING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HORIZONTALLY ABOUT 6 INCHES TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE, THEN PERPENDICULAR IN A T FORMATION 3 INCHES UP AND DOWN . THE PREVIOUS NIGHT I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS FINE. I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT STRIKE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK. IT HAAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS EARLIER.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2020
A LONG CRACK FORMED FROM THE TOP LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD HAS FORMED. WE GOT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING HOME A CRACK HAD FORMED. NO INDICATION OF DEBRIS HIT. WE HEARD A SMALL POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED THE CRACK WHEN WE GOT HOME.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN HIT BY ANYTHING, BUT HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE OVERNIGHT. THERE WAS ONLY A 15 DEGREE TEMPERATURE CHANGE SO IT WASN'T THAT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2020
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVEOLPED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT ORIGINATED ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER IN THE DE-ICER REGION. THE CURIOUS LOCATION OF THIS CRACK LED ME TO SEEK OUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM SUBARU IN 2015 SUBARUS THAT SPECIFICALLY STATE "THESE TYPES OF DAMAGE WOULD ONLY BE COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION IF THE WINDSHIELD IS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THE ABOVE OUTLINED CONDITION AND THE DAMAGE ORIGINATES IN THE AFFECTED WIPER DEICER AREA. OTHER FORUMS AGAIN AND AGAIN MENTION RECURRING PROBLEMS ORIGINATING IN THIS DE-ICER AREA AND QUICKLY PROPAGATING THE REST OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACKS IN SUBARU WINDSHIELDS OFTEN RENDER EYESIGHT UNUSABLE. ADDITIONALLY THE COST TO REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS IS VERY HIGH AS YOU HAVE TO FACTOR IN RECALIBRATING THE EYESIGHT EQUIPMENT. I SPOKE TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY STATED THAT "THIS WAS FROM OUTSIDE INFLUENCES/IMPACT AND THERE ARE OTHER IMPACT AREAS ON OTHER SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD." THE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THIS SERVICE BULLETIN/NUMEROUS OTHER SUBAR OWNERS FORUMS/UNUSUAL ARE FOR A ROCK TO HIT OR CRACK TO FORM. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS SAFETY HAZARD AS OCCURRED AND SUBARU NOT ONLY REFUSES TO AUTHORIZE REPLACEMENT, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELDS CRACKING.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD MYSTERIOUSLY CRACKED ON THE LOWER THIRD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IMMEDIATELY SPIDERED OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS LIKE A STARBURST EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING BY ITSELF IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN A LOWE'S PARKING LOT. THERE ARE NO CHIPS/GOUGES ON THE GLASS SURFACE ON EITHER THE INTERIOR OR THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD (WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST AN IMPACT). THE GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOUBLE PANE WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 3, 2020
WINDSHIELD SEEMED TO SPONTANEOUSLY CRACK FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE WHILE PARKED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY KIND OF IMPACT. THE CRACK PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL HOURS, INCREASING WHILE DRIVING OR WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD IN 2 YEARS DUE TO SPONTANEOUS CRACKING, AND IT IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2020
SIX MONTHS AFTER BUYING MY 2018 OUTBACK THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN BY THE DEFROSTER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT. I REPLACED IT WITH SUBARU GLASS BECAUSE OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. COST WAS $1000. ONE YEAR LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED AT THE TOP MIDDLE PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF A SMALL DING. THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS PARTICULARLY FRAGILE AND I UNDERSTAND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE THREE OR FOUR WINDSHIELD IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING OTHER CARS BUT NOW HAVE TWO IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS ON THIS CAR. CAR IS OTHERWISE GREAT BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 30, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND. TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A ROCK CHIP THAT HAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD BUT THE CRACK STARTED AT THE TOP OF THE WINDOW AND WENT DOWN. NO IMPACT POINT IS VISIBLE. WE HAVE ALSO HAS ANOTHER SUBARU WHICH DID THE SAME THING BUT WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE.