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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2021
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SCREEN FOR THE BACKUP CAMERA, PERIODICALLY REMAINS DARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I DO NOT HAVE THE USE OF THE BACK UP CAMERA.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2021
WHILE TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON A HIGHWAY, A ROCK STRUCK THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM ANOTHER SUV IN THE LANE TO THE RIGHT OF OUR VEHICLE. THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD INSTALLED BY JACK MORRIS AUTO GLASS.
Visibility, Jan 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED EACH TIME SINCE THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS HAS A CRACK IN WINDSHIELD IN FEB. AND AGAIN IN SEPT. 2020 I CONTACTED THE DEALER IN BOONE, N.C. AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT FIX THEM THERE AND WOULD HAVE TO SEND IT OUT FOR REPAIR AND THEY WOULD NEED IT FOR 3-4 DAYS. I COULD NOT WAIT THIS LONG SO TOOK IT TO SAFELITE GLASS IN BRISTOL, TN. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED AND JUST NOTICED IT ONE MORNING. ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT. THIS SEEMED VERY UNUSUAL TO ME AND I JUST SAW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH 2017-2020 YEARS. THIS COST ME $500.00 FOR BOTH REPAIRS.
Visibility, Jan 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, THE NEXT DAY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN REPLACED ON 2 PREVIOUS OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME NO IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD HAD OCCURRED TO CAUSE THE CRACKS. THE LOCAL DEALER FAULKNER SUBARU LOCATED AT 3233 PAXTON ST, HARRISBURG, PA 17111 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Electrical system, Dec 21, 2020
BATTERY DISCHARGES AFTER CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS OR AFTER SHORT TRIPS. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE BATTERY. HIGHLY ANNOYING. HAVE PURCHASED A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER SO I DON'T GET STRANDED. I HAVE USED THE JUMP STARTER TO START THE CAR AT HOME AND WHILE AWAY FROM HOME.
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2020
THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING WHEN NOT USED AND THEN THE CAR REFUSES TO START AND I NEED TO GET JUMP START. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE MOVED URGENTLY
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2020
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS THAT OUR VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START. A WEEK AGO IT LEFT US STRANDED AT A WALMART, AND TODAY IN OUR DRIVEWAY...THERE ISN'T ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT WILL ENERGIZE. THE CAR WON'T EVEN RESPOND TO THE VEHICLE KEY FOB. WE CAN'T FIND ANY RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE...BUT WE NOTICE YOU HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS (401) WITH MANY BEING ELECTRICAL ISSUES ' FAILURES. THIS VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY DURING BOTH OF THE DESCRIBED ISSUES. I THINK THIS TIME TOTAL BATTERY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. PLEASE NOTE THERE WEREN'T ANY INDICATORS WARNINGS THAT THE BATTERY WAS GOING TO FAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD, WITH JUST UNDER 18,000 MILES NEVER DRIVEN ANYWHERE IN SNOW AREAS WHILE DEICERS WERE IN USE. WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU THIS AM FOR ASSISTANCE
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 16, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND CRACK SPREAD ACROSS LINE OF SIGHT. MY CAR WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS CAR ON SAME ROUTE FOR 10 YEARS WITHOUT BROKEN WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Dec 16, 2020
II WAS PARKED AT A FRIENDS RESIDENCE FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS. WHEN I LEFT AND WAS STILL ON HIS DRIVEWAY I SAW THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK IN IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE GOING UP ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUING TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT TEN INCHES. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING, THE CRACK APPEARED ON IT'S OWN.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 12, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC TRAUMA. I HAD IT REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE BASE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. CRACK OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AFTER NO (OR NO NOTICEABLE) IMPACT. CRACK EXPANDED QUICKLY OVER SEVERAL DAYS. HIGHLY UNUSUAL.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 8, 2020
JANUARY 27, 2020 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON NJ HWY 29 TO MY SON'S HOME. SMALL ROCK HIT WINDSHIELD AND MADE A SMALL CRACK, LESS THAN 1 INCH. I CALLED INSURANCE WHO WOULD SEND A MOBILE REPAIR TRUCK TO REPAIR IT ONSITE AT MY SON'S HOUSE. AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CRACK GETTING BIGGER. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED AT MY SON'S, 45 MINUTES LATER, THE CRACK WAS MORE THAN 7 INCHES LONG AND WIDENING AND GROWING HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY. THE CRACK SO SO BIG. THE INSURANCE REP SAID MOBILE GLASS REPAIR COULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO BIG. I HAD TO BRING IT IN FOR A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON JANUARY 29, 2020 AT SAFELITE AUTO GLASS IN EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ THE TOTAL COST FOR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION WAS $1,011.23.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 7, 2020
PURCHASED SUBARU IN 2019 AND NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS AFTER OWNING FOUND THE WINDOW HAD A CRACK STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GOING UP AND THEN THE WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR ANY ITEMS THAT WOULD HAVE CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT CRACKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2020
ON ROUTE 6 WAS TRAVELING BEHIND A TRUCK AND HAD ROAD DEBRIS THROWN AT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING PUTTING AND ONE WITH SPIDER CRACKS RADIATING FROM IT.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON ON JULY 25,2019. PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEADED DOWN THE STREET WHEN IT WAS STARTING TO CRACK. TOKE A PICTURE WHEN I GOT TO WORK. FIRST TIME IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING TO EVER HAVE A WINDSHIELD CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS A CRACK APPEARED ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A SMALL CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. NONE OF THESE WERE CAUSED BY ANY OBJECTS THAT I OBSERVED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, BUT MAYBE A SMALLER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AT SOME POINT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF LIMITED USE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOR DID ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AS OF LATE, OTHER CRACKS HAVE STARTED TO FORM AND GROW ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THEY ARE SO SEVERE, THAT I MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLASS AS IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION OTHERWISE. I HAVE HEARD OTHER CLAIMS FROM SUBARU OWNERS AND WISH THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD FINALLY RECALL THE FAULTY PRODUCT AND SUPPLY US WITH A QUALITY PRODUCT LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2020
BATTERY CONSISTENTLY DRAINS AND CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY IS NEW, REPLACED IN 2020. CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR LESS THAN 12 HOURS WHEN IT WILL NOT START. CAR HAS BEEN JUMPED, TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATE "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT", THEN WITHIN 1-4 DAYS USUALLY HAPPENS AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE 10/03/2020.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS THE LOWER HALF FOR NO REASON. I WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT MADE A LOUD POP AND CRACKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE REPLACE THE ORIGINAL WINDOW ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THIS ONE JUST CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE GLASS WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. ALSO, THE FRONT GLASS WINDSHIELD HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL CRACKS PREVIOUSLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED.