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
272 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
I RECEIVED A SINGLE MINUTE HIT FROM AN 18-WHEELER WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND NOW THAT GROWN WITHIN A MONTH TO COVERING THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD LIKE AN ART DRAWING MY FEAR IS DRIVER ASSIST CAMERA MAY BE AFFECTED PUTTING OTHERS AND ME IN ACCIDENT DANGER
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WE'RE ON OUR 3RD WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELDS CRACKED FOR NO REASON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
AROUND JANUARY THIS YEAR MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS SOON AS I GOT OUT FROM THE GARAGE(64 DREGREES) TO THE DRIVEWAY(39 DEGREES). I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR RUN A BALL AROUND THE GLASS CRACK AND SUDDENLY STOPPED AND FORCEFULLY PUSHED AGAINST THE PEN AGAINST THE GLASS AND SAID THAT WAS AN IMPACT. I LOOKED AT THE AREA OF THE GLASS IMPACT BUT ALL I SAW WAS THE DENT THAT THE PEN LEFT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE GLASS DUE TO AN IMPACT AND REFERRED TO MY AUTO INSURANCE. I PUT A CLAIM AND PAID MY $500 DEDUCTIBLE TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. IN RETROSPECTIVE I KNEW IT WAS NO IMPACT AND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY DID NOT HAVE THE INTENTION ON HELPING ME.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED 2018 THAT I JUST BOUGHT ON JUNE 15, 2018 SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 80 FROM OMAHA, NE TO ATLANTIC, IA WITH MY MOM ON NOVEMBER 10, 2018. THE CRACK STARTED ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND CONTINUED STRAIGHT UPWARD UNTIL IT REACHED ABOUT HALF THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND IT SAID THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT COVERED IN THE POLICY SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF OR HAVE MY CAR INSURANCE PAY. I ENDED UP GETTING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY DETER MOTORS IN ATLANTIC IA ON NOVEMBER 23, 2018. THEN ON AUGUST 25, 2019 WHILE DRIVING TO DES MOINES, IA ON INTERSTATE 80 WITH MY THEN FIANCEE, MOM, AND SISTER, THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE BOTTOM AND CONTINUED UPWARD ABOUT 7 INCHES AT FIRST. THE CRACK HAS SINCE GROWN IN SIZE AND LENGTH. I CONTACTED SUBARU AGAIN AND WAS GIVING THE SAME ANSWER IN THAT THEY DON'T COVER WINDSHIELDS. I HAVE YET TO BE FIXED AS I WAS QUITE FRUSTRATED WITH TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I STARTED TO LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WERE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND THAT YES, MANY ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING CRACKED WINDSHIELDS FOR NO APPARENT AND/OR OBVIOUS REASONS. I DO WANT TO GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BUT AM WORRIED THAT IT'LL JUST CRACK AGAIN. I DO HAVE RECORD OF THE FIRST WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT FROM DETER MOTORS. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE 2ND CRACK AND WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE THEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON KNOWN - I MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE UPON GETTING INTO MY VEHICLE TO FOLLLOWING MORNING I NOTICED A CRACK THAT GROW SIGNIFICANTLY WITHIN A DAY HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING FUEL CAPACITY DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY - I DID HAVE THE RECALL DONE BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY
Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2019
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE SINCE LAST YEAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2019
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY ITSELF WHILE BEING STATIONARY IN A NEAR-EMPTY PARKING LOT (ONLY TWO CARS IN THE PARKING LOT INCLUDING MINE). HAPPENED ON OCT 10, 2019 BETWEEN 10-11:30AM. PARKED THE CAR IN THE LOT AND WENT INSIDE BUILDING FOR 90 MINUTES. WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ORIGINATING AT THE DEICER AREA IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK PATTERN SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE 2015/2016 OUTBACK/LEGACY CRACKED WINDSHIELD ISSUE (SUBARU BULLETIN #12-192-15R). OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES FOR RECENT OUTBACK YEAR MODELS BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH OF SUBARU FORUMS. TOLD SUBARU DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ASKED ME TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD USING AUTO-INSURANCE GLASS COVERAGE. I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD USING MY INSURANCE AND ALSO PAID (VIA INSURANCE CLAIM) FOR EYESIGHT CALIBRATION AS REQUIRED BY SUBARU.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 7, 2019
CRACK DEVELOPED ON WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT IMPACT OF ANYTHING.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. WAS NOT HOT BY ANY OBJECT. SUBARU OUTBACK 2018. CRACK INITIATED BELOW DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2019
CAR DEVELOPED A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN AN INDOOR PARKING GARAGE. A FEW DAYS LATER CRACK GREW IN SIZE AGAIN WHILE PARKED IN A DIFFERENT INDOOR PARKING GARAGE. CAR HAS ~33,000 MILES AND WAS NOT HIT BY ANY ROAD DEBRIS.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2019
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 6/21/19. ON 7/1/19 A SMALL STARBURST CRACK APPEARED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHILE DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. WITHIN 2 DAYS, THE CRACK HAD SPREAD ACROSS 3/4 OF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. (THERE WAS NO APPARENT IMPACT FROM ANY OBJECT). THE WINDSHIELD WAS TOTALLY REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED ON 7/15/19. ON 8/30/19 THE SAME THING OCCURRED. A SMALL STARBURST APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD , WHICH SOON SPREAD ACROSS THE DRIVERS VIEW. I NOTICED THE CRACK WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN THE GARAGE. I AM AWAITING SERVICE FROM SAFELITE NOW. SUBARU SAYS IT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE...WINDSHIELD CRACKS WITHOUT ANY OBJECT IMPACTING IT! I CANNOT BE REPLACING MY WINDSHIELD EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2019
CAR WAS IN MOTION AND A LOUD POP IN THE WINDSHIELD AREA WAS HEARD. AFTER ARRIVING HOME THERE IS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD BY THE WIPER BLADES THAT HAS EXTENDED ABOUT 6INCHES UP. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ROCK OR FOREIGN OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS FROM WHAT I KEEP READING.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 8/10/19 A VERY SMALL STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER. WITHIN 10 MINUTES A LARGE CRACK HAD FORMED FROM THE EXTREME LEFT EDGE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER VISION SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. BY THE NEXT MORNING THE CRACK HAD EXTENDED TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS A VERY SMALL CHIPPED AREA WHERE THE STONE HIT, BARELY VISIBLE. I EVEN HAD ZURICHSHIELD GLASS PROTECTION APPLIED TO PROTECT THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH WAS USELESS. ABOUT 21,200 MILES ON THE CAR. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A HONDA PILOT THAT WOULD HAVE PITS, EVEN A CRATER FROM STONES, BUT NEVER A CRACK. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CRACK UNTIL NOW. VERY DISAPPOINTED A SMALL PELLET HITTING THE WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN A CRACK THAT WAS SO BIG THAT I HAD TO ENTIRELY REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. MY CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD, AND A SMALL STONE COST ME OVER $500, PLUS THE COST OF A PROTECTANT PROGRAM THAT FAILED AS WELL. DEALER (WILLIAMS SUBARU) SAID IT WAS AN AUTO INSURANCE ISSUE, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, OR UNDER THE ZURICHSHIELD (FIXES UP TO 6 INCH CRACK- MINE NEVER QUIT GROWING), THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I'M CHECKING INTO GETTING A REFUND ON THE ZURICHSHIELD POLICY...
Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2019
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS A POP AND A CRACK APPEARED AT THE BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CRACK HAS EVER SINCE GROWN ACROSS AND NOW REACHED THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Visibility, Jul 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE REFERRED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKS FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON A NEW SUBARU. DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, WHILE IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE. NO ROCKS JUST A CRACK STARTING UNDER THE WIPER BLADE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2019, crash
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK DRIVER SIDE BOTTOM CORNER, WITH NO CHIP OR REASON FOR THE CRACK
Visibility/wiper, Jul 5, 2019
A LARGE CRACK, LIKE THE SHAPE OF A QUESTION MARK, SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED IN MY WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTS BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, UP ABOUT 7 INCHES AND CURVES BACK DOWN. CAR WAS MOVED OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CRACK APPEARED!!!!!
Visibility/wiper, Jun 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK WHILE PARKED IN A CLOSED, PRIVATE GARAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2019
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 1.5 YEARS. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD A WEEK AGO AND NOW HAVE ANOTHER CRACK!! THESE CRACKS WERE OBTAINED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. 2 WERE DUE TO ROCKS. THE OTHERS ARE UNKNOWN. I OWNED MY FORD ESCAPE FOR 10 YEARS AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED MAYBE 2 TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, May 30, 2019
FILED COMPLAINT WITH WRONG YEAR COMPLAINT #11210766 CORRECT YEAR IS 2018 CAMERA DISPLAY DO ES NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY THE REAR VIEW IMAGE WHILE BACKING UP. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 5/25/2019.
Visibility/wiper, May 24, 2019
I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WITH TRAFFIC WHEN A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND CREATED TWO CHIPS. THESE ARE THE SECOND AND THIRD CHIPS IN THIS WINDOW SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2019.
Visibility/wiper, May 24, 2019
A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND PRODUCED A SIGNIFICANT DIVOT AND CRACK WHILE THE DRIVER AHEAD OF ME AND I WERE TURNING FROM A STOP IN THE LEFT TURN LANE.
Visibility/wiper, May 21, 2019
CAN NOT SEE BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN IN DAYTIME WITH BRIGHT SUNLIGHT SHINING THROUGH WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2019
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR WILL NOT ADJUST FAR ENOUGH OUT TO COMPLY WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATION FOR SIDE/REAR VISION LEAVING A BLIND SPOT. THE SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING HAS ELECTRONIC WARNING THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE MECHANICAL CAPACITY OF THE MIRROR. SAFETY ISSUE. NOT AN EVENT.