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, May 24, 2020
OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE GOTTEN 6 ROCK CHIPS THAT HAVE COME FROM DRIVING ON GROUND ROADS AT SPEED OF NO MORE THAN 40 MPH SOME WERE FROM BUGS OR DIRT CLODS. ONE CHIP HAS RESULTED IN A BREAK GOING UP THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW AND WILL SOON BE IN THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. THE CRACK HAPPENED WHILE SITTING IN A SHELTERED PARKING LOT DURING A WARM 75 DEGREE DAY. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2020
WHILE PARKED INDOORS A FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACK FIRST APPEARED ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. NO SIGN OF BEING STRUCK BY PROJECTILE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2020
CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR ONE WEEK. DROVE MY CAR,CITY STREET, TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONER, WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING OUT OF NOWHERE, FROM MIDDLE OF PASSENGER SIDE, THE CRACK TURNED UP HALFWAY AND STOPPED HALFWAY THROUGH WINDSHIELD. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A POINT OF IMPACT. THE DEALER TOOK A PUSHPIN AND PUSHED IT INTO THE WINDSHIELD TO SHOW ME. I ARGUED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND DEALER SAID THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I ARGUED THAT NOTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND THEY SAID THAT SOMETHING DID. *TR
Visibility, May 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 2 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS ALSO CRACKER. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WERE REPLACED WERE REPLACED BY INTERNATIONAL AUTOS ORLAND PARK (8031 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60477). THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIX MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WERE AGAIN CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AFTER THE LAST FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKS EXCEPTIONALLY EASILY AND SEEMINGLY WITHOUT ANY CAUSE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2020
SUBARU OUTBACK 2018, WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, RARELY DRIVEN FOR LAST TWO MONTHS. CAME TO THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING AND FOUND A LONG SINGLE-LINE CURVY CRACK STARTING AT THE DRIVE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND GOING HORIZONTALLY FOR ABOUT HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2020
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. NO APPARENT STONE HIT IT. REPLACED ON 3/5/2019. FRIEND SENT ME A WEBSITE WHERE IT WAS NOTED THAT MULTIPLE OTHERS SUBARU OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME OCCURRENCE. IT STATED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU. I AM UNABLE TO SCAN OR UPLOAD REPAIR PAPERWORK BUT I HAVE MY RECEIPT FROM THE REPAIR. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2020
I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR A ROCK OR ITEM HIT THE WINDSHIELD, I ONLY SAW THE RESULT ' THE CRACK. EACH DAY THE CRACK GREW LONGER. ONCE IT WAS APPROXIMATELY A FOOT LONG, I CALLED TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Mar 30, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE STATIONARY
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT IMPACT. STARTS FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACK EXPANDS INWARD. REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO FOR SAME ISSUE AND ALREADY HAVE 2 CRACKS IN THE NEW WINDSHIELD.
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.