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, Aug 28, 2021
Our 2018 Subaru Outback windshield has now cracked for the third time in the exact same spot - the bottom left hand corner of the windshield: October 8, 2019, August 11, 2020 and again August 27, 2021. The first two times, a loud pop was heard and then the crack appeared on the bottom left side of the windshield. The third time, I didn't even know it cracked until I got home. No pop or any other noise was heard. The second time in 2020, I contacted Subaru Customer Service to report this issue, and I was told the cracked window was not a matter of warranty and I would need to have someone at a Subaru Dealership inspect the windshield before having it repaired. I am attaching pictures of the cracked windshields from each time the windshield has cracked (3 separate times).
Visibility, Aug 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact mentioned that his wife was out at the store and went into the store; after exiting the store the contact noticed that the front windshield was cracked from the passenger’s side straight across the middle to the driver side. The contact looked around to see if an object had struck the windshield however, no object was found. The windshield was not inspected or repaired. The dealer was contacted however, informed the contact that there was no recall under the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,800
Visibility/wiper, Aug 23, 2021
I was driving when suddenly the windshield cracked. It cracked in a Y shape. I took it to the Subaru dealer and was told that was due to a stone chip. When he is saying is a stone chip is where the the glass split into the y shape. They said that they will not cover under warranty.
Visibility, Aug 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked, when he noticed there was a crack on the windshield. There was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,822.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2021
Cracked windshield due to no impact. This is third windshield in 3 years. Known problem. Distracted visibility. Will take to dealer for repair.
Visibility, Aug 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a popping sound coming from the front windshield. The contact stated that one morning it was discovered that the front windshield had several cracks that had extended across the windshield from the top to the bottom of the windshield. The cause of the cracks was not determined. The contact stated that no object impacted the windshield to cause the cracks. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2021
The vehicle was parked with no one driving at the time and the windshield developed a crack in the glass for no apparent reason "while parked". There was no road hazard or reason for the crack to occur and the vehicle was not even in motion, and I could not understand why it happened, until I began reading the incidents online about multiple other owners experiencing the same issue. I replaced the windshield almost immediately to avoid further cracking and issues with visibility and having to look past the crack. Cost $333.40 to replace.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2021
Stopped at a stoplight when a crack started in the bottom corner of the windshield and by the afternoon it had gone almost completely across the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2021
I was driving straight on a divided highway and heard a loud pop. I didn't see anything at first, but as I continued to drive, a crack appeared at the bottom, driver-side of the windshield. The crack continued to grow and has now extended more than halfway across the windshield, obstructing my vision while driving. I have not taken the vehicle to be inspected by a dealer or insurance agent yet since it was a holiday weekend.
Visibility, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, a rock struck the front windshield. The contact stated at the time there was no cracks on the front windshield. The next day upon entering the vehicle, he noticed a crack going along the passenger’s side of the front windshield. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would call the contact back once an assessment was made. The failure mileage was approximately 25,182.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 4, 2021
On July 4, 2021, about 9:45am, near Greeley, CO, our windshield cracked for no apparent reason. The temperature was about 80 degrees on a clear day. The crack on the passenger side is about 18 inches long and goes the the edge of the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2021
2018 Subaru Outback parked in driveway. I went to get in car and windshield was cracked starting at the top of the driver's side for 10 inches. I could not continue to drive the car safely for fear that the integrity of the windshield was compromised. I called the insurance company and was told to take it to Safelite to replace the windshield and have the eyesight warning system recalibrated. This is the third time a windshield has been replaced on this car due to a crack. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the windshield cracking!
Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2021
My 2018 Subaru Outback was purchased at the end of 2017. In March of 2019 my windshield had two cracks emanating from the car frame on the left and right sides. The Subaru dealership quickly realized this was not caused by road debris and kindly replaced the windshield. In April of the same year, just a month later, another crack appeared on the windshield again emanating from the frame this time only from the left side straight across the driver's view. Subaru graciously replaced the window again calling it a courtesy at no cost to us though they proclaimed it to be from road debris. My third incident happened in December of 2019 emanating from the middle of the frame then gradually extending out towards the driver's side of the windshield. Subaru again claimed this was road debris but agreed to pay my deductible. So now I have approached my 4th incident on May 16, 2021. Again the crack started from the car frame in the middle of the windshield, same as in December, and has extended once more across the windshield in front of the driver's side creating a visibility issue for the driver. This time Subaru will not even acknowledge causality and is denying any issue regarding the design of the car. They are advising I contact my insurance company to have it repaired. Yes Subaru has been generous in the past but does not recognize that there must be an issue with this 2018 Subaru Outback model that causes such damage to the windshield - cracks that emanate from the frame and gradually extend along the horizontal plane of the windshield causing visibility issues for the driver. For Subaru to contend that all these incidents are caused by road debris would have me believe they think I live in or close to a rock quarry which I guarantee is not even remotely true. My daily commute is only 2 miles through a suburban neighborhood with an occasional road trip. This may be a great car but to have to deal with this every year is a long stretch for my patience and safety.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2021
The front windshield developed a crack with no signs of an outside causation such as an impact by an object.
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2021
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTESTATE ON A COOL OVERCAST MORNING. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVER PASSES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM MY ROOF AND THEN THE GLASS FALLING ON THE ROOF. I WAS FREAKED OUT BY IT AND IT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE THAT IN FACT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS A BIG HOLE IN THE CENTER OF IT AND THE ENTIRE THING HAD CRACKS GOING THROUGH IT. AS IT WAS ON MY MORNING COMMUTE AND I HAD TO GET TO WORK, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND DROVE TO WORK. ON THE REST OF THE DRIVE I COULD HEAR MORE OF THE SUN ROOF FALLING OFF. I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THIS AND THEY WANT ME TO BRING IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE EARLIEST THEY HAVE AVAILABLE FOR ME TO COME IN IS 11 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. WHILE TALKING TO A PARTS PERSON ON THE PHONE, HE DID STATE THAT HE HAS HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE TO OTHER CARS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 28, 2021
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE HEARD A CRACK AND THE CRACK APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD IN A T FORMATION. THIS HAPPENED 12/2018. THE CRACK AT THIS TIME COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A T FORMATION.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2021
IN APRIL OF 2021 ALL OF A SUDDEN I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO SAFELITE, THEY TRIED TO REPAIR BUT A CRACK DEVELOPED. AFTER TWO DAYS THE CRACK GREW LARGER. SAFELITE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AT MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S EXPENSE. ONLY 29000 MILES ON THE CAR.
Visibility, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A PARKING LOT, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2021
MY CAR WAS PARKED UNDER A CAR PORT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS FINE WHEN I PARKED IT. NO CRACKS. WOKE UP TO FIND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Apr 15, 2021
DIDN'T HAVE ANY CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, PARKED, AND WENT INSIDE FOR 8 FOR MY SHIFT. AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN I CAME OUT TO THE CAR AND GOT IN TO GO THERE WAS A SINGLE LONG CURVING CRACK THAT WAS OVER 12 INCHES LONG. DIDN'T SEE ANY IMPACT MARKS OR OTHER REASON THAT IT MAY HAVE CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 14, 2021
WINDSHIELD MADE A POPPING SOUND AND THEN SPIDER CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOT NEAR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WHEN THE CRACK HAPPENED, NO FLYING DEBRIS. WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A FREEWAY ON NO CALIFORNIA. THE CRACK STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD THEN MADE A SECOND POPPING NOISE AS THE PASSENGER WATCHED THE CRACK SPREAD. THERE IS NO INDENTATION FROM A ROCK CHIP. JUST THE CRACK ACROSS A SMOOTH WINDSHIELD.
Visibility, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED HORIZONTALLY ON THE UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT CALLED TOM WOOD SUBARU (3300 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240, (317) 805-7775) AND WAS INFORMED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PLASTIC IN BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WOULD PREVENT MAJOR FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2021
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED
Visibility, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A SMALL ROCK IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A SMALL CRACK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED AT A WINDSHIELD REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER METROWEST SUBARU (948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760, (508) 651-2000) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.