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, Nov 27, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS CAR HAS CHIPPED 10+ TIMES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PIECE OF GLASS CHIP SO MANY TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LONG CRACK STARTING AT THE LEFT EDGE. THE CRACK CONTINUES UP AND TO THE RIGHT CROSSING IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW AREA.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2020
OUTBACK 2018 WINDSHIELD STARTED SHOWING CRACKS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 1 HOUR IN HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY SAW THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING . IN 15 MINS, THE CRACK GOT BIGGER AND IT WAS VERY TENSED CONDITION SINCE I HAD MY WIFE , NEW BORN BABY AND OLD PARENTS IN THE CAR. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED MY INSURANCE TO CHECK ABOUT THE CONDITION . I HAD SPEND MY NEW YEAR DAY ON HIGHWAY DISCUSSING THE ISSUE. IT WAS A DISTRESSFUL DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2020
MULTIPLE CHIPS INVOLVING THE WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT OBVIOUS REASON
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2020
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE, WILL GO UP THAN DOWN HALF WAY. IF TRYING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW WHEN IT STARTS TO RAIN/SNOW AND IT DOES'T CLOSE CAN BE A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 70MPH. THIS HAS BEEN PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR AND REPORTED TOO SUBARU DURING THE WARRANTY, ALSO KNOW ON THE INTERNET FOR A LONG TIME. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF STOPPED OR DRIVING.
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2020
BATTERY DOES NOT CHARGE AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT EVERY 200-300 MILES.
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2020
PHANTOM LIFTGATE OPENING. THE LIFTGATE OPENS BY ITSELF WITH THE VEHICLE LOCKED, DRAINING THE BATTERY, AND DOES NOT SOUND AN ALARM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AT RANDOM TIMES OF THE DAY, WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. SUBARU HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. SO FAR, WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OPPORTUNISTIC THEFTS FROM BUT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT SINCE LOCKING THE VEHICLE SEEMS UNRELIABLE.
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2020
THE BATTERY HAS DIED RANDOMLY OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. WE FINALLY REPLACED IT AFTER BEING FED UP WITH BEING STRANDED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. MOST RECENTLY, IT DIED TWICE WITHIN A WEEK. BOTH TIMES I DROVE TO WORK, PARKED AND 2 HOURS LATER, THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMPED TO START. I TOOK THE CAR TO SUBARU AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $250 TO INSERT THE SAME BATTERY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2020
WE HAVE HAD 3 CRACKED WINDSHIELDS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON 3/31/18. WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE DEALER EACH TIME AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1100-1200 EACH TIME. EACH TIME WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 9, 2020
IN THE FIRST 1.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. IT CRACKED THE FIRST TIME WHILE STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE COLD AND WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER. ONE WEEK AFTER IT WAS REPLACED IT CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH NO VEHICLES WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE CAR. I'VE READ AND HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS THIS PROBLEM IS ONE THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE OUTBACKS OF THIS MODEL YEAR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 8, 2020
BATTERY DIES PREMATURELY, IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS, OR IF PARKED AND REAR HATCH IS OPENED AND CLOSED A FEW TIMES. DEAD BATTERY LEFT ME STRANDED FIVE TIMES SINCE 3/5/2019. BATTERY TESTED WELL AT DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, SO WAS NOT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT FAILED A DRAW TEST.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2020
WINDSHIELD JUST STARTING CRACKING FOR NO REASON.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2020
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK, ONLY 10,500 MILES, BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING, AND FINALLY WOULD NOT CRANK THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED 10-24-2020 (SAT.) DEALER WHITE BEAR SUBARU WOULD NOT ANSWER HIS PHONE IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY WOULD NOT TOW TO A SUBARU DEALER, ONLY A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. I REJECTED THAT, AND SINCE IT WAS THE WEEKEND, I HAD TO PURCHASE A NAPA AFTERMARKET BATTERY, EVEN THOUGH SUBARU WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. COST ME OVER $160,00.
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2020
CAR LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER SITTING NOT RUNNING. WENT TO START THE CAR, BUT NOT ENOUGH POWER TO START IT. BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. THE NEXT DAY, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD TO JUMP START IT SO I COULD GO BUY A NEW BATTERY.
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2020
BATTERY DIED MANY TIMES. CAR IS JUST UNDER 3 YEARS OLD, WITH 18,000 MILES STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SAID THE CAR MUST BE LEFT THAT THEY NEEDED TO TEST. THE CCA RATING IS 300 SOMETHING. A FRIEND IN COLORADO HAS A 2019 FORESTER WITH A CCA OF 620! VERY SIMILAR ENGINE, BOTH MODELS ARE TOURING. COULD IT BE THAT VEHICLES IN LESS COLDER AREAS ARE FITTED WITH INADEQUATE BATTERY CCA SO SUBARU CAN SAVE A FEW DOLLARS? ALSO THE RAB LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HOW IS THAT OK? THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN HAS FROZEN MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN IT DID THE VOLUME OF THE RADIO COULD NOT BE LOWERED..I WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED, (RADIO WAS LOUD) THEN STARTED DRIVING AND COULDN'T LOWER IT.. PLEASE NOTE: THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES ... I HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY'RE RELATED
Visibility, Oct 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ALBANY SUBARU LOCATED AT 718 SAN PABLO AVE, ALBANY, CA 94706, (510) 528-1244, WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2020
THE BATTERY IN MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS PARKED CLOSE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER JUMPING AND TESTING THE BATTERY HE DEEMED IT DEAD AND REPLACED IT. 2 MONTHS LATER, WHILE PARKED AND IDLING AS I WAITED FOR MY HUSBAND AT AN APPOINTMENT, THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND WENT DEAD. IT WOULD NOT RESTART, BUT AFTER I WAITED A FEW MINUTES IT RESTARTED. A MONTH AGO AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR FROM HOME, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE SAFETY (EYESIGHT) SYSTEM DISABLED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE DEAD BATTERY AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR A DRAIN. THIS MORNING (EXACTLY ONE MONTH SINCE DEALER SERVICE) THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. AFTER JUMPING IT AND STARTING THE CAR I DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED FROM INSIDE THE CAR, OUTSIDE USING THE BUTTON ON THE LIFTGATE AND REMOTELY WITH THE KEY FOB, NOTHING. AFTER A A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH I SEE THAT THIS BATTERY DRAIN IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR AND THAT SUBARU JUST REPLACES THE BATTERY RATHER THAN ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHETHER MY CAR WILL START EVERY TIME I GET IN IT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 4, 2020
I WENT OUT TO MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING AND THE WINDSHIELD HAD A 6 INCH "T" SHAPED CRACK STARTING WITH A SINGLE CRACK EMANATING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HORIZONTALLY ABOUT 6 INCHES TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE, THEN PERPENDICULAR IN A T FORMATION 3 INCHES UP AND DOWN . THE PREVIOUS NIGHT I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS FINE. I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT STRIKE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK. IT HAAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS EARLIER.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
ON INFREQUENT YET MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN SPRING 2018, AFTER HANGING UP FROM A BLUETOOTH PHONE CALL, THE RADIO WOULD BLAST AT FULL DECIBELS AND BE UNRESPONSIVE TO ATTEMPTED ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL. ON ALL OCCASIONS EXCEPT FOR TODAY'S EVENT, I WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS, BECOMING STARTLED, THEN HAVING TO IMMEDIATELY TRY TO RECTIFY THE EAR-BLASTING SOUND. TODAY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, HAVING TURNED OFF THE ENGINE--THE RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY AND THE BLUETOOTH REMAINS LIVE IN AN OUTBACK FOR 5 MORE MINUTES, UNTIL THE DOOR IS OPENED--I MADE A CALL, HUNG UP, AND THE RADIO VOLUME WAS FINE; I IMMEDIATELY MADE ANOTHER CALL, HUNG UP, AND THE RADIO BLASTED AT FULL DECIBELS AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS UNABLE TO ELICIT A RESPONSE BY TURNING THE VOLUME KNOB, WITH THE RADIO STOPPING SHORTLY THEREAFTER BECAUSE IT HAD REACHED THE 5-MINUTE LIMIT. THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHETHER I HUNG UP FIRST OR THE OTHER PERSON HUNG UP FIRST. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO RAFFERTY SUBARU ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WITH A VARIETY OF FIXES ATTEMPTED, MOST RECENTLY BY SWAPPING OUT MY AMP WITH ONE FROM A LOANER VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG FORUM, WITH OTHERS ACHIEVING NO RESOLUTION AS WELL, AND WITH OTHER BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THIS UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON HIGHWAYS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE 2019 AND 2020 MODELS AS WELL.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2020
ONE DAY IN APRIL, THE BATTERY WAS SPONTANEOUSLY COMPLETELY DEAD. AT THE TIME IT SEEMED THAT LEAF DEBRIS SHORTED THE CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY CAUSING CONNECTIONS TO CORRODE AND THE BATTERY TO BE DESTROYED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN WARRANTY. THE NEW BATTERY NOW IS HAVING ISSUES WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF INSTALLMENT. WITHIN A 4 DAY PERIOD THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED 2X INEXPLICABLY (9/23/20 AND 9/26/20). THE FIRST TIME IT COULD BE JUMPED TO ALLOW VEHICLE USE, BUT THE SECOND TIME IT COULD NOT. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP ADVISED IT IS LIKELY A BAD CELL IN THE BATTERY AND WANTS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2020
WHEN THE POWER TAILGATE IS LEFT OPENED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD, THE BATTERY DRAINS. THE SHORTEST HOURS LEFT OPENED WAS 4 HOURS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE BATTERY WAS TESTED TO BE NORMAL (RATED 550 CCA, MEASURED 504 CA, VOLTAGE 12.74V, TEMPERATURE 90F). THE INSTRUCTION PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS TO RUN THE CAR EVERY DAY TO KEEP CHARGING THE BATTERY. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE MEMORY HEIGHT TO KEEP THE HATCH OPEN, AND THAT FEATURE IS USELESS WHEN THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2020
BATTERY IN MY 2018 OUTBACK CONTINUES TO BE DEAD WHEN I GO TO START IT AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. JUST TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY ARE KEEPING IT OVERNIGHT TO SEE IF IT IS DEAD IN THE MORNING. IN THE PAST WEEK I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START THE CAR 5 TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS DEAD. JUST CALLED SUBARU AND FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING A ROCK.. NOT A LARGE ONE, CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD WHICH ULTIMATELY PROGRESSED THROUGH OUT THE WINDSHIELD. ONE OTHER TIME A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING DAMAGE TO IT. I ALSO HAD A ROCK HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE SECOND ROW WINDOW WHICH COMPLETELY SHATTERED IT. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION FOR THE WINDSHIELD ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY OCCURENCE BUT STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WITH PASSENGER WINDOW DAMAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2020
A LONG CRACK FORMED FROM THE TOP LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD HAS FORMED. WE GOT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING HOME A CRACK HAD FORMED. NO INDICATION OF DEBRIS HIT. WE HEARD A SMALL POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED THE CRACK WHEN WE GOT HOME.
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2020
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE CAR DRAINS THE BATTERY AFTER A FEW DAYS OF NOT USING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY, 2018. THE CAR HAS A BATTERY PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. FIRST TIME WHEN THE BATTERY DIED I CHARGED IT MYSELF AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDT FIND ANY ISSUE. SINCE THAT TIME THE CAR'S BATTERY DRAINED COMPLETELY SIX TIMES PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. IF THE BATTERY WAS NOT CONNECTED TO A BATTERY TENDER IT WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AFTER A FEW DAYS. LAST TIME WHEN THE BATTERY DRAINED IT COULDN'T BE CHARGED WITH A CHARGER AND ALSO THE CAR COULDN'T BE JUMPED. AFTER INVESTING IN A NEW BATTERY AND INSTALLING IT ON THE CAR THE BATTERY DRAINED AGAIN COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW DAYS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND NOT USED.