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.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AFTER GETTING HIT BY SMALL PEBBLE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN SPEED LIMIT ON HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2021
VEHICLE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. BATTERY KEEPS DYING WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. NOTHING LEFT ON. I'VE HAD 2 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AND THEY KEEP DYING WITHOUT EXPLANATION. SOMETIMES FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN IT DIES EVERY 2-3 DAYS. NOTHING IS LEFT ON. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT NEEDED!!!
Engine, Feb 20, 2021
DURING FISH-TAILING ON A SLICK ROAD THE ENGINE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2021
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPS CRACKS AND STAR CHIPS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD IT REPAIRED WITH HANSON AUTO GLASS 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. ONLY ABLE TO FIND 2 OF 3 PICTURES OF REPAIR PAPERWORK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2021
WELL IT WAS 25BELOW HERE AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN THE SCHOOLTEACHERS PARKING LOT.
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2021
CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2018. PERIDICALLY OVER THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THE BATTERY WOULD DIE AND THE CAR WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP TO START. SINCE THE ONSET OF THE COVID PANDEMIC - WITH THE CAR LEFT UNUSED (IN A GARAGE) FOR MORE EXTENDED PERIODS - THE BATTERY DIES FREQUENTLY, EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP TO START. NOW, IF THE CAR IS NOT STARTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 1-2 DAYS THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD.
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2021
I STARTED MY CAR WHEN I WAS 0 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT STARTED BUT AFTER DRIVING 15 MINUTES I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND THE BATTERY WAS NEARLY DEAD. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN LIMP MODE. THIS IS THE 2ND BATTERY IN MY 2018 SUBARU AND THE CAR IS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 54,000 MILES. THE BATTERY IN THESE CARS ARE KNOW TO DIE QUICKLY AND SUBARU WON'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2021
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT OR COLD DAY. SHE HEARD A CRACKING SOUND, WHEN SHE STOPPED SHE NOTICED A 3 INCH CRACK IN HER WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. OVER THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK GREW AND GREW IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS. MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON JAN 21, 2021 AND ASKED THEM ABOUT REPLACEMENT AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY DID NOT REPLACE WINDSHIELDS. IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE COST WAS $1279.83.
Visibility, Feb 8, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS ALSO CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN RETURNED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY THE PLASTIC TRIM USED FOR THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE AFTER LEARNING THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM WAS ABLE TO CRACK THE WINDSHIELD. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility, Feb 8, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK CONTINUED TO EXPAND. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
AFTER JUST UNDER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE BATTERY WAS A BIT WEAK WHEN STARTING. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE, I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR IT'S 60K MILE CHECK UP. HE FOUND THE BATTERY WAS WEAK AND REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN, I AN STILL HAVING THE LOW BATTERY ISSUE. IF I DO NOT START THE VEHICLE IN 2.5 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS TOO WEEK TO PERFORM.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2021
CRACK APPEARED IN RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD FOR NO REASON AS OUTBACK HAD BEEN SITTING PARKED THE DRIVEWAY FOR 5 DAYS. IT IS ABOUT 6' LONG FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THEN TURNS RIGHT OR DOWNWARD ABOUT 3'.
Structure, Feb 2, 2021
MOONROOF EXPLODED.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 28, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ROAD DEBRIS, NOR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT/CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CRUISING ON A WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD FREE OF DEBRIS AND POTHOLES. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR AROUND MY VEHICLE. SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU CARS, AND SEEMS THAT THERE ARE OUT THERE INITIATIVES FOR A LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2021
I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND FELT THE CAR ACCELERATE WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK, I QUICKLY RELEASED THE PEDAL BEFORE REAPPLYING PRESSURE AND IT SELF CORRECTED LUCKY JUST BEFORE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT I ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT, THIS TIME I WAS 100% SURE IT WAS MY BRAKES. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH BEING ABLE PRESS DOWN ON MY BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO IT BECOMING VERY STIFF. I WAS SO WORRIED I DECIDE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD AND IT WAS NOT JUST ME.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2021
DRIVING VEHICLE SLOWLY OVER SPEED BUMP LEAVING AIR FORCE BASE. HEARD POPPING SOUND AT WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. DAY LATER HAD A LARGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. CRACK STARTED UNDER WINDSHIELD WIPER ON PASSENGER SIDE. SUBARU DEALERSHIP ADVISED WINDSHIELD CRACK NOT UNDER 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2021
FOR THE SECOND IN TIME LESS THAN A YEAR THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED AS A RESULT OF MINOR ROAD DEBRIS. THE FIRST TIME SUBARU COVERED THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND I AM AWAITING A RESOLUTION. I AM AWARE OF THE PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. AND I CAN SAY FROM EXPERIENCE IT IS COMPLETELY VALID. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A FRAGILE WINDSHIELD. IT IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
PURCHASED THE AUTOMOBILE WITH ABOUT 7,200 MILES ON IT WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. BATTERY FAILED AT 8,000 MILES. WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PREMIUM BATTERY FROM AAA.. NEW BATTERY WORKED FOR 8 MONTHS THEN DRAINED OVERNIGHT. AAA RECHARGED IT AND SAID ALTERNATOR WORKED. WHEN DRIVEN OR BACKED UP AFTER RECHARGING, AUTOMOBILE BEEPED CONSTANTLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE AND STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION. BEEPING STOPPED WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT STARTED AGAIN WHEN VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD OR BACKED UP. LEFT WITH SUBARU DEALER OVERNIGHT. BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED THIS MORNING WHEN SERVICE TECHNICIAN TRIED TO START IT. SERVICE TECH SAID THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. PER MY INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SUBARU SHOULD FIX IT, BUT SEEMS TO BE DRAGGING THEIR HEELS ON THIS ISSUE. OUR SUBARU IS UNSAFE AND NOT DRIVEABLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STATIONARY WHEN THE BATTERY DRAINED. THE BEEPING OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET. IT RESTARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE RESUMED MOTION. THE BEEPING CONTINUED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING WHILE IN MOTION. IT STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. STEERING DID NOT FEEL NORMAL. IT WAS A LITTLE SLUGGISH AND LESS PRECISE THAN NORMAL.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
WE HAVE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH THE CAR DYING, THE BATTERY BEING TOTALLY DEAD, AND BEING STRANDED BECAUSE OF IT. IN MAY 2018, 3 MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE BRAND NEW CAR, THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS THERE FOR AWHILE, AND ULTIMATELY WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A BAD BATTERY, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS FOR WHAT OCCURRED. THEN IN JULY 2019 AT 23,000 MILES, THE CAR CONTINUED TO HESITATE TO START. THE DEALER TESTED THE BATTERY, IT FAILED, AND IT WAS REPLACED, AGAIN. ON JANUARY 19, 2021, AT 45,000 MILES, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WE WERE STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WERE ON BUT THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AGAIN, THE DEALER SAID THE BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT. WHEN I INQUIRED HOW LIKELY WOULD IT BE THAT WE GOT A BAD BATTERY THIS MANY TIMES, WE WERE TOLD IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO WAY TO DIAGNOSE WHY THE BATTERY CONTINUES TO FAIL. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE; THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. AT OTHER POINTS IN TIME, THE VEHICLE'S ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK, WOULD NOT TURN ON OR OFF, AND CARPLAY WOULD NOT BE RECOGNIZED. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED. WE ARE AWARE FROM INTERNET RESEARCH THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, AS IT SEEMS OWNERS OF 2017-2020 OUTBACKS AND SUBARUS HAVE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A BAD BATTERY EACH TIME.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
BATTERY DISCHARGED AFTER MAP LIGHT LEFT ON OVERNIGHT AND IT IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AFTER 20 MINUTES. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN PRIOR TO THE LIGHT BEING LEFT ON AND IS DRIVEN EVERY DAY.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2021
BATTERY DIED 2 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT USED, NOV 2020) FIRST TIME WITH LIGHT LEFT ON OVERNIGHT AND SECOND TIME AFTER NOT DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 1 WEEK
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2021
ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAIL. REPEATEDLY THE WINDOWS WONT WORK, BLUE TOOTH GOES DOWN. BUT MORE CONCERNING WHEN SITTING WAITING IN A PARKING LOT THE WHOLE CAR WILL SHUT OFF. NOT A SIGN OF LIFE. CANT TURN CAR ON, NO RADIO NO LIGHTS, NO USE OF KEY FOB - NOTHING. CAR CAN BE JUMPED AND BACK IN ACTION. HAD THE EGI CONTROL REPLACED AND OTHER PARTS. BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY - AGAIN WHILE WAITING IN PARKING LOT - WHICH WE DO A LOT OF IN THE PANDEMIC - NO WINDOWS OPERATED , REAR LIFE DID NOT WORK AND THEN SUDDENLY THE WHOLE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN. HAD TO HAVE DEALER COME JUMP CAR AND BACK TO SHOP
Visibility, Jan 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER SUBARU (1592 NJ-38, LUMBERTON, NJ 08048, (609)267-4000) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2021
PREMATURE DYING OF BATTERY AT AROUND ONLY 20,000MILES. WE SUSPECT FLAWS OF THE BATTERY OR ELECTRIC ISSUES. WE DID FIND LAWSUIT ON 2016-2020 SUBARU OUTBACK ON THIS MATTER.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING FOR NO REASON. THR FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN OCTOBER 2020. WE JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT. IT DIED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ONE FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE. APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER IN DECEMBER 2020 IT DID THE SAME THING. WE WENT TO START IT UP AND IT WOULDN'T START. WE JUMPED IT AND DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY SO I PAID FOR A REPLACEMENT. EXACTLY A MONTH LATER, JANUARY 2021, I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY IS AGAIN DEAD. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK.