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, Mar 21, 2020
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM BOTTOM AT FRAME UP
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CRACK EXPANDED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. *LN*JB
Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CHIP IN IT & I DO NOT REMEMBER GETTING IT BY ANY PEBBLE. SEEMS THE WINDSHIELD MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A TRIP, A CRACK APPEARED ON THE LOWER PASSENGER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD AND PROCEEDED TO GROW UP AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. OFTEN TIMES THE CRACK GROWTH WAS OBSERVABLE. SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER BECAUSE THE CRACK HAD ALREADY EXCEEDED THEIR SIZE LIMIT BEFORE IT COULD GET INTO A SHOP. NO PRECEDING EVENT, LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, WAS OBSERVED. THE LOCATION OF THE DIVOT WAS TOO LOW AND CLOSE TO THE WIPER BLADE FOR A ROCK AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD DOESN'T KNOW HOW IT'S HAPPENED. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER. THEY SUGGESTED FIXING THE ISSUE WITH INSURANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHY SUBARU IS VERY CARELESSLY HANDLING THE QUALITY OF WINDSHIELD EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FOCUSING MORE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKS
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
OCTOBER 22ND, 2019 MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS SITTING WAITING FOR MY KIDS TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER APPEARED WHILE NORMAL DRIVING. NO INDICATION OF ROCK CHIPS AT ALL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TRAVELING STRAIGHT. CRACK ORIGINATED FROM A-PILLAR AND PROPAGATED TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT AT MY COST OF ABOUT $1000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT OR CHIPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BELOW WHERE THE WIPERS ARE INTO A HUGE CRACK. NO ROCK HIT ME.
Seats, Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2020
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE, I DO NOT RECALL ANY ROCKS OR DEBRIS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. NEXT MORNING THE CRACK GREW TO OVER HALF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE CRACK HAS GROWN TO COVER 85% OF THE WINDSHIELD HORIZONTALLY, ALMOST IN A COMPLETE "U" SHAPE.I NOW HAVE TO DECIDE TO SPEND THE ~$1,000 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD OR DRIVE WITH THE CRACK. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON 2ND CRACKS, I'M HESITANT. THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A VERY ANNOYING SQUEAK WHEN GETTING IN/OUT AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SOME DAYS IT'S WORSE THAN OTHERS, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT THE CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ABOUT 18" WHEN STATIONARY. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, A TRUCK KICKED UP A ROCK WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT CREATED A CHIP LESS THAN THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. WITHIN ONE HOUR IT STARTED CRACKING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE CHIP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A ROCK CHIP SPREAD LIKE THIS. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY REPAIR. NOW THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY NOW. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT CRACK WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND INHIBIT MY VISION.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CRACKED. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE FAR LEFT CORNER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUST IN THE MIDDLE AT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL PEBBLE BOUNCING OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED IT WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING. THE DEALER BUD CLARY AUTO GROUP (1030 COMMERCE AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632 (360) 423-1700) REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTO GLASS COMPANY WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Seats, Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
1-WINDSHIELD VERY LARGE CRACK AND IT KEPT GETTING BIGGER 2-DRIVER SEAT IS SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR. AFRAID THE SEAT FRAME MIGHT COME A PART DURING ACCIDENT
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CRACK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER PORTION WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE GLASS FROM ANY SOURCE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35MPH. THE CRACK CONTINUED ACROSS THE GLASS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND GLASS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE OR IMPACT TO THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD KEPT CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ABOUT TO ENTER HIGHWAY NEAR WHERE I LIVE. I WASN'T YET AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDENLY NOT SURE IF A ROCK OR ROCK SALT HIT MY WINDSHIELD. IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE A LARGE PIECE, AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT. WHAT SEEMED LIKE NORMAL ROAD DEBRIS THAT FROM MY EXPERIENCE WOULD NEVER AFFECT A WINDSHIELD AND HASN'T WITH OTHER CAR MAKES I'VE OWNED ACTUALLY IMPACTED MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. A SMALL CHIP/CHUNK OF GLASS APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD. WAS VERY SURPRISED AND APPALLED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY FROM A ROCK. I HAVE NO PICTORAL EVIDENCE BUT I HAVE THE REPAIR RECEIPTS.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND CREATED A VERY LARGE SPIDERING CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON UPPER PASSENGER SIDE
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WINDSHIELD STARRED THEN CRACKED ACROSS MOST OF WINDSHIELD WIDTH QUICKLY. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR AND THERE WAS NO DEBRIS IN ROADWAY. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; WINDSHIELD HAS LONG SINCE BEEN REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 18, 2020
I HAVE A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK (LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD). DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A GLASS CRACK. THEN I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE WINDOW CRACK STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD (DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER) AND CURVING UPWARDS TOWARDS THE CENTER. PULLED OVER TO CHECK, AND THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF OBVIOUS ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE CRACK APPEARED. I RECALL DRIVING IN THE MORNING AND AS THE WEATHER WARMED UP THE WINDOW CRACK OCCURRED. NOT SURE IF TEMPERATURE MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS, BUT IN ANY CASE THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT OBVIOUS SIGNS OF IMPACT BY OBJECTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HWY GOING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I SPOTTED A SMALL STAR CRACK IN THE BOTTOM, MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO GROW, MOSTLY HORIZONTAL OVER THE NEXT 2 WEEKS. THE WEATHER WAS MILD, ABOUT 55 DEGREES AND THERE WAS NO ONE DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 12, 2020
ON RETURNING TO PARKED CAR MID-DAY ON 2/2/2020 (A MILD WINTER DAY, PARKED IN SHADE AT SKI RESORT), I SAW A T SHAPED CRACK ON LOWER PART OF WINDSHIELD JUST ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CENTER. THERE WAS NO CHIP OR DENT OR CRACK IN THE CENTRAL WINDSHIELD WHEN I PARKED THE CAR. I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVE THAT MORNING. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 10 DAYS, THIS HAS GROWN, EXTENDING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ACROSS ABOUT HALF THE WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD.