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
811 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 5, 2021, crash
Sunday,August 1, 2021, at 9:05am, I backed out of my garage and when I attempted to turn my car, the steering locked, the car was drifting backwards and I had no brakes. As a result the car kept drifting backwards , off the driveway into the woods, hitting a tree. Once stopped, I was able to start the car and drive it out of the woods. The entire driver’s side was sideswiped and mirror torn off. I was not injured, but could have been. I called insurance that day. On Monday, we contacted the Subaru dealership. The local police were notified and documented the report. The insurance adjuster determined the car unsafe to drive and it was towed to the dealership August 4, 2021. There was no warning or indicated problem prior to the incident.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2021
Battery drained and died for no reason within 2 weeks of purchase.
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.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2021
Battery is not keeping charge, unable to start vehicle even after daily driving. With an infant, we need something more reliable, being stranded is not an option. Vehicle has not been inspected, upon further review this is a constant problem with lawsuits requesting for a resolution against Subaru. Battery indicator light would turn on and lights would flash when able.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2021
Fuel injector fuel delivery line rupture and leaking. Left on vacation in this 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring on 07/23/2021, noticed the strong smell of gasoline when stopped, less so when interstate driving, with the fuel gauge declining more rapidly than it should. Stopped by Wheeling Volkswagen/Subaru Dealership just before their daily closing. They inspected and found the above ruptured fuel line, leaking onto the pavement under the engine compartment. They determined it was unsafe to drive, but did not have a replacement part. They found there were less than 10 of these fuel injector fuel delivery lines available in the whole U.S. Had to leave the vehicle with them, and the repair was completed 4 day later. The faulty component was observed by the service department personel, and by myself. I have no photos to submit, but have the repair invoice covered under Subaru's drive train warranty. This component failure could have easily resulted in a vehicle fire or explosion, and I feel very fortunate that did not happen! This fuel line is flexible rubber, not metal, and I think is made of faulty materials. I have never heard of such a failure personally. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms, other than the strong smell of gasoline.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2021
Battery randomly discharges to zero voltage. Passenger window randomly cannot be operated from drivers side. Sometime it can, sometimes not.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2021
Battery corroded excessively so much so that when it was able to be removed the connector for the battery broke. Battery was replaced and the passenger window can't be operated from driver side, one touch driver window no longer works either.
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2021
OEM battery failed at ~17,800 miles.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2021
To: Subaru Motors Consumer Reports NHtSA I, Richard McNitt, am the very unhappy owner of a 2018 Subaru Outback (4 cylinder “Touring” model with 33,900 miles), VIN 4S4 BSATCT J3362742. Primarily on the basis of “glowing” Consumer Reports Reviews I chose this model….sad to say this was an unfortunate choice. I list some of the troubles endured: • Shortly after delivery the “radio-GPS” failed, replacement was in short supply(!), Did without several weeks and the re-installation had a glitch. •We were informed that the radio would always “come on” when the car was started, My wife finds this very annoying, •We find the road noise to be excessive, especially at around 25 mph, •We were left sitting twice with a “dead” battery, once at the end of a two hour trip when the radio was on after for less than 15 minutes. ••But the worst situation was this…..My daughter, granddaughter, and I were 500 miles into a 600 hundred mile trip to a North Carolina Beach when we exited the Interstate at Laurenburg NC at about 3PM on a very hot day. At the first intersection stop sign when the accelerator was pushed at first nothing happened…that is the car did not accelerate, then abruptly the car lurched forward. Alarmed we drove it around a large parking parking lot, stopping, then trying to start again..we found the hesitating, then lurching forward to continue, so we changed drivers with the same result. As it was now late on a Saturday afternoon in this small town with no local garages open, we had the car “Roll-Backed” to the nearest Subaru Dealer in Fayetteville, NC and as there were no local car rentals available, we had a family member drive 108 miles (each way) to get us and take us to the beach. The Fayetteville Subaru Dealer called on Monday morning and said “they could find nothing wrong”, and to pick up the car (another 100+ miles each way). Needless to say, I was very nervous the whole way home from the beach ..but the trip was without incident.
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.
Air bags, Jul 7, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, a semi-truck crashed into the vehicle causing severe front-end damage but no airbags were deployed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was no longer drivable and was towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The insurance company was currently reviewing the vehicle to determine if it is a total loss. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2021
Windshield has a giant crack from an unknown source.
Seat belts, Jun 30, 2021
The passenger seat belt is not staying buckled in, it take about 3 tries before it clicks.
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!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 19, 2021
The battery completely dies after at-least 3 days of not driving the vehicle. Within a few weeks of driving the car off the lot in 2017 (new from the dealership), the car would not start after not being driven over the weekend. I had the car jump started. It happened again the next week after a long weekend of not driving the vehicle. I had it jump started the drove it to the dealership. I was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle or the batter. It happened again the next weekend and I had to get it jump started again. Since then I have not left the car un-driven for more than a couple of days. On June 18, I took the car for an oil change and was told i needed a new battery. I replaced the car battery that same day. Hooked everything up and the car started just fine. I check all interior lights and headlights to make sure they were all off. The next day, I go to start the car and my battery is completely drained. There is an issue with the car where it is draining the battery. I don't know if replacing the battery caused some kind of software reset, but now i'm having issues with a full brand new battery being drained overnight.
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.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2021
My wife and I, financed our brand new 2018 Subaru Outback Premium from World Subaru, 688 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, New Jersey 07701, in June 2018. There are 3 main problems with the car, but I’ll only be addressing the most recent one. The main people in this situation is myself-[XXX], my wife-[XXX], Subaru, Owner and General Manager-Joe Wajda, Service Advisor-Rudolph J DeGaetano, and Fixed Operation Director-Lou Zuluaga. The 2018 Subaru was brought in for an oil change filter, etc., on April 19, 2021 and I went right up to the service advisor Rudolph J DeGaetano to tell him besides the oil change and filter to please take a look at this back tire wear, on the edges to about an inch in, its bald, about 3 inches then full thread all the way around the tire, Rudolph said you need an alignment, so I told him to do it with the oil change and filter, so when they were done Rudolph came back to me and I paid $165.47, with this Rudolph showed me the alignment paper and said this can’t be fixed, no mater what you do, the right front caster in red at 4.3 cannot be fixed. And as you see on the original paper, on the right front caster in red, it can’t be fixed. But at the bottom in red it states, “*ONE OR MORE VALUES ARE NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION. TIRE WEAR, HANDLING AND SAFETY PROBLEMS MAY RESULT”. SO ITS TELLING ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WORLD SUBARU CANT FIX IT. I TOLD RUDOLPH THATS UNEXCEPTABLE. Texted owner and General manager Joe Wojda who turned it over to Fixed Operation Director Lou Zuluaga who in turn sent me a text, that it could be the body of the car. I explained to Rudolph that Subaru had a big problem with the new ascents, and it either would cost Subaru to much to fix or they couldn’t fix it, and subaru gave them all brand new Ascents, but what about my car we bought brand new, they expect my wife to drive an unsafe vehicle???[XXX]-[XXX] [XXX] Owner Joe Wajda-732-741-6200 Lou and Rudolph-same number PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2021
Battery keeps failing and needing jump start. Liftgate has failed and makes continuous loud beeping while driving. Liftgate seems to drain battery leaving car with dead battery.
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2021
I have been having battery issues with my 2018 Subaru Outback. Ended up replacing the battery with a new one and am still have issues with the car draining the battery to dead if not run for a few days.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2021
I bought a new 2018 Subaru Outback in June 2018. It has been a very good vehicle except for the CVT which Subaru has had issues with for years. The CVT hesitates and shudders and detracts from the performance and safety of the vehicle. I have spoken with the dealer as well as Subaru of America They have extended the CVT warranty to 10 years 100k miles but only if the CVT breaks to the point where the vehicle will not operate. I do all my service at the dealer and have asked if Subaru would replace the CVT to make it run better and safely. They said that Subaru will only do that if and when the CVT breaks and does not operate. I would hope that NHTSA can get Subaru to replace the CVT if it operates in an inferior way.