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, Sep 13, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN HIT BY ANYTHING, BUT HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE OVERNIGHT. THERE WAS ONLY A 15 DEGREE TEMPERATURE CHANGE SO IT WASN'T THAT.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2020
PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEB 2018. DESPITE THE PANDEMIC OF 2020, MILEAGE IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR, DRIVING TRIPS ARE SIMILAR SINCE GETTING THE CAR. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DYING OVER AND OVER SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR (FEB/MARCH 2020) FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ON MANY OCCASIONS, AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW DAYS, A WEEK, A DAY - THE BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD. BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU AND THEY TOLD ME SOME CRAP ABOUT NOT DRIVING IT FOR PERIODS OF TIME COULD CAUSE THIS (A WEEK?!). THEY TESTED MY BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS BETTER THAN PERFECT. NOW IT'S GOING BACK IN TO THEM BECAUSE IT IS STILL HAPPENING AND NOW THEY ARE CLAIMING IT'S DUE TO LOW MILEAGE. THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS THAN THEY ARE LEADING ON AND ARE BLAMING THE VEHICLE OWNERS' DRIVING HABITS INSTEAD OF GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2020
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVEOLPED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT ORIGINATED ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER IN THE DE-ICER REGION. THE CURIOUS LOCATION OF THIS CRACK LED ME TO SEEK OUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM SUBARU IN 2015 SUBARUS THAT SPECIFICALLY STATE "THESE TYPES OF DAMAGE WOULD ONLY BE COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION IF THE WINDSHIELD IS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THE ABOVE OUTLINED CONDITION AND THE DAMAGE ORIGINATES IN THE AFFECTED WIPER DEICER AREA. OTHER FORUMS AGAIN AND AGAIN MENTION RECURRING PROBLEMS ORIGINATING IN THIS DE-ICER AREA AND QUICKLY PROPAGATING THE REST OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACKS IN SUBARU WINDSHIELDS OFTEN RENDER EYESIGHT UNUSABLE. ADDITIONALLY THE COST TO REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS IS VERY HIGH AS YOU HAVE TO FACTOR IN RECALIBRATING THE EYESIGHT EQUIPMENT. I SPOKE TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY STATED THAT "THIS WAS FROM OUTSIDE INFLUENCES/IMPACT AND THERE ARE OTHER IMPACT AREAS ON OTHER SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD." THE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THIS SERVICE BULLETIN/NUMEROUS OTHER SUBAR OWNERS FORUMS/UNUSUAL ARE FOR A ROCK TO HIT OR CRACK TO FORM. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS SAFETY HAZARD AS OCCURRED AND SUBARU NOT ONLY REFUSES TO AUTHORIZE REPLACEMENT, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELDS CRACKING.
Suspension, Wheels, Aug 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT'S WIFE HAD NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUGHES SUBARU (3010 ATLANTA HWY, ATHENS, GA 30606) TO HAVE THE BRAKES INSPECTED AND THE DEALER FOUND NO FAULTS WITH THE BRAKES. AS THE FAILURE PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED A FAILURE WITH THE TWO FRONT TIRE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THEY REPLACED THE TWO FRONT BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHOPPED. HE STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE WORSE THEN THE REAR TIRES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE COULD LEAD TO SUSPENSION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. *DT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO HUGHES SUBARU TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHOPPED TIRES AND POTENTIAL SUSPENSION ISSUES. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE CHOPPING ON THE TIRES WERE NOT A RESULT OF FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING HUBS. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SUSPENSION ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE SAID THAT THE TIRES DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS 6+ TREAD STILL REMAINING ON THE TIRES. *DL
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2020
BATTERY DOESN'T HOLD CHARGED WHEN PARKED OVER NIGHT. CAN'T START THE ENGINE AFTER A FEW HOUR DRIVE AND PARK OVER NIGHT. NOW I HAVE TO LET THE CAR ENGINE RUNNING FOR A FEW HOUR EVERYDAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED UP ENOUGH TO START THE ENGINE. HAS TO JUMP THE CAR MANY TIMES ALREADY. GONNA CALL THE DEALER AND ASK WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TOMORROW.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2020
DEAD BATTERY OVERNIGHT AND LIFTGATE RANDOM OPENING WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE.
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2020
MY SUBARU OUTBACK 2018 TO DATE IS ON ITS THIRD BATTERY, THIRD BATTERY REPLACED 8-7-2020 IS DEAD TODAY (8-13-2020). VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD MYSTERIOUSLY CRACKED ON THE LOWER THIRD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IMMEDIATELY SPIDERED OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS LIKE A STARBURST EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING BY ITSELF IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN A LOWE'S PARKING LOT. THERE ARE NO CHIPS/GOUGES ON THE GLASS SURFACE ON EITHER THE INTERIOR OR THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD (WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST AN IMPACT). THE GLASS APPEARS TO HAVE CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOUBLE PANE WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2020
VEHICLE HAS 17,000 MILES, BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. BATTERY HAS BEEN FOUND DRAINED IN THE AM AFTER BEING PARKED IN GARAGE. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AT 16,000 MILES. BATTERY PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. SUBARU TRIES TO EXPLAIN PROBLEM BY STATING INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON OR KEY WAS LEFT TO CLOSE TO CAR. TESTS SHOW THERE WAS NO PARASITIC DRAIN ON BATTERY. SUBARU DOES NOT WANT TO FIX OR ADMIT THE PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2020, crash
THE ACCELERATION RESPONSE IS DECOUPLED FROM THE THROTTLE. I HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN. I TRIED TO MOVE AHEAD WITH A SLIGHT ACCELERATION TO GET A VIEW OF CROSS TRAFFIC, UNFORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOO HIGH AND T BONED INTO ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS GOING ACROSS. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE PROBLEM IS MORE EVIDENT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM SLOWER SPEEDS OR FROM A STOP.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 3, 2020
WINDSHIELD SEEMED TO SPONTANEOUSLY CRACK FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE WHILE PARKED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY KIND OF IMPACT. THE CRACK PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL HOURS, INCREASING WHILE DRIVING OR WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD IN 2 YEARS DUE TO SPONTANEOUS CRACKING, AND IT IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2020
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, BOTH STATIONARY AND IN TRAFFIC, THE DRIVER WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT CLOSE NORMALLY. UPON ACTIVATION TO RAISE THE WINDOW WHEN IN OPEN POSITION, IT RISES ONLY PARTWAY, THEN BOUNCES BACK DOWN. ONLY AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, USING MULTIPLE MANEUVERS OF THE POWER CONTROL, SOMETIMES REQUIRING PULLING OVER ON THE HIGHWAY SO AS NOT TO FURTHER DRIVE DISTRACTED, CAN ONE FINALLY RAISE THE WINDOW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT IT REQUIRES DRIVER ATTENTION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IT IS ALSO A HAZARD WHEN NEEDING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW RAPIDLY TO AVOID DUST, DEBRIS, WEATHER PRECIPITATION, OR STRANGERS APPROACHING THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TO FIX IT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME ARE TOLD THAT 1) NOTHING WAS WRONG (AGAIN, IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE THAT WE HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH VIDEO 2) IT WAS SOFTWARE-RELATED AND THAT THEY UPDATED IT TO FIX IT AND 3) IT WAS THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND ASSEMBLY (REPLACED TWICE). NONE OF THESE EFFORTS HAVE SOLVED THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING WITH A REASONABLE SOLUTION OVER THE PAST 2+ YEARS WHILE WE ARE APPROACHING OUR WARRANTY EXPIRATION.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2020
SIX MONTHS AFTER BUYING MY 2018 OUTBACK THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN BY THE DEFROSTER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT. I REPLACED IT WITH SUBARU GLASS BECAUSE OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. COST WAS $1000. ONE YEAR LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED AT THE TOP MIDDLE PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF A SMALL DING. THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS PARTICULARLY FRAGILE AND I UNDERSTAND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE THREE OR FOUR WINDSHIELD IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING OTHER CARS BUT NOW HAVE TWO IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS ON THIS CAR. CAR IS OTHERWISE GREAT BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 30, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND. TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A ROCK CHIP THAT HAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD BUT THE CRACK STARTED AT THE TOP OF THE WINDOW AND WENT DOWN. NO IMPACT POINT IS VISIBLE. WE HAVE ALSO HAS ANOTHER SUBARU WHICH DID THE SAME THING BUT WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
WE WERE GETTING READY TO LEAVE TO THE STORE AND GOT IN THE CAR AND TRIED TURNING IT ON AND WHEN WE INSERTED OUR KEYS AND TRIED TURNING ON THE CAR-THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND ALL WE COULD HEAR WAS A CLICKING CLACKING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOOD. WE TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND WE ENCOUNTERED THERE'S THE SAME ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE WENT IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CAR OF 2 YEARS WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND THEY INFORMED US IT MIGHT BE A BATTERY ISSUE AND THAT WE SHOULD CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR FURTHER HELP. WE ASKED IF OUR BATTERY WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT ALL DEPENDED ON THE MILEAGE AND WE INFORMED THEM THAT OUR CAR WAS A BRAND NEW 2018 MODEL WITH UNDER 21,000 MILES. THEY AGAIN SAID IF IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE BEST BET WAS TO REPLACE WITH THEM AND THAT IT WOULD BE FOR A FEE OF $200 OR MORE.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
11/16/2018 DEAD BATTERY FOR NO KNOWN REASON 6/15/2019 DEAD BATTERY FOR NO KNOWN REASON
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IN LESS THAN A WEEK. REPLACED ORIGINAL BATTERY ON 7/24/2020 (SEE COMPLAINT NUMBER 11341827). BATTERY DRAINS FOR NO REASON, LEAVING BATTERY DEAD AND CAR INOPERABLE. CAR WAS STATIONARY ON DRIVEWAY. COULD NOT START IT, SO CHECKED BATTERY WHICH WAS DEAD 0 VOLTS.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
BATTERY DRAINS FOR NO REASON, LEAVING BATTERY DEAD AND CAR INOPERABLE. CAR WAS STATIONARY ON DRIVEWAY. COULD NOT START IT, SO CHECKED BATTERY WHICH WAS DEAD 0 VOLTS.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 27, 2020
DEFECTIVE FRONT WINDSHIELDS. THE ORIGINAL HAD A LEGITIMATE CRACK FROM A ROCK HITTING IT. THE FIRST & SECOND REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS (SUBARU BRANDED) BOTH CRACKED STARTING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT MIDWAY UP. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT CRACKED AT SLOW SPEED AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB. THE SECOND CRACKED AFTER PARKING AND CLOSING THE DRIVERS DOOR. BOTH CRACKS IMMEDIATELY SPREAD LATERALLY ACROSS ALMOST HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT. THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 4/3/2019 AND THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 11/4/2019. THIS SECOND REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON 7/24/2020. NEITHER OF THESE LAST TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS WAS CAUSED BY ROCK OR DEBRIS HITTING THEM.
Steering, Jul 23, 2020
THE STEERING SOMETIMES LOCKS WHEN CAR IS OPERATING IN REVERSE, TURNING OUT OF A PARKED POSITION. EXACT CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM IN MID-MARCH AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE FAULT. TODAY I ENCOUNTERED THE SAME STEERING LOCK WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING RIGHT TO GET ONTO THE STREET.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED SERIOUS MULTI-FINGERED CRACK, ORIGINATING IN THE TOP CENTER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE THE 'EYESIGHT' CAMERAS ARE LOCATED. NO KNOWN CONTACT BY OBJECT FROM ROAD. APPEARED TO BE SPONTANEOUS. NOT CERTAIN IF VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY- DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL ENTERING VEHICLE IN THE MORNING.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED OUT OF NOWHERE AND SPREAD QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE ENTERED THE CAR AND NOTICED A LONG CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO A WINDSHIELD BEFORE. THE CRACK KEEPS GROWING FOR NO REASON.
Visibility, Jul 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE SUBARU (438 S INGRAM MILL RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802, (417) 720-8373) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2020
I HAVE HAD MY OUTBACK FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 CRACKED OR BROKEN WINDSHIELDS. I AVOID DRIVING BEHIND TRUCKS/SEMIS BUT THE SMALLEST ROCK OR ANYTHING SEEMS TO HAVE DISASTEROUS RESULT OF BULLSEYE/CRACK ETC. I HAVE HAD MY WINDSHILED REPLACED TWICE AND NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2020
BATTERY DRAINS FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN DRIVEWAY.