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, Mar 15, 2020
I OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IN THAT YEAR MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE TIMES ACROSS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD UPON IMPACT OF A TINY ROCK. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED ON MY AC WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SPLIT- I COULDN'T EVEN FIND A CHIP THAT CAUSED THE HUGE CRACK. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS OVER $800 EACH TIME SO I SOLD THE VEHICLE AFTER THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST CRACK WAS IN APRIL 2019 AND THE LAST WAS IN AUGUST 2019. I INVOLVED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THAT I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS HOT OUT AND THAT'S WHY THE GLASS WAS CRACKING, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD BEHAVE IN THAT MANNER BEFORE, NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2020
I OWN A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT SAFELITE GLASS WAS IN ABLE TO RECALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. THEY TRIED TO SWITCH THE AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM WINDOW AND IT DIDN'T WORK AND SENT ME TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO RECALIBRATE. THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER SO THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. SAFELITE STAYED THIS HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THEY REPLACE WINDSHIELDS BECAUSE THE CAMERAS ARE NOT PROTECTED SO IF A LITTLE DUST GETS ON IT WHILE THEY CHANGE THE WINDSHIELD IT CAN SCREW UP THE CAMERAS ABILITY TO RECALIBRATE. THEY ALSO ADVISE IT'S A KNOW ISSUE WITH SUBARU'S BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE IT
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2020
DURING 4TH WEEK AUGUST 2019, I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SHOULDER ON INTERSTATE 90. THERE WAS USUAL TRAFFIC, NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A TINY ROCK WHICH CAME FLYING ON MY WINDSHIELD, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY NOISE NOR I HAVE SEEN ANY CHIPPING. THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP TOO SEE A TINY CRACK, IMMEDIATELY I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT COST'S, BUT AS IT WAS WEEKEND, I WASNT ABLE TO GET A SLOT. 2 DAYS LATER I SEE A NICE FINE CRACK ACROSS THE SCREEN, THIS WAS A BAD SURPRISE FOR ME, I USED A MAZDA FOR 3 YEARS BEFORE AND DEFINITELY TRAVELED A LOT, WITH TINY ROCKS FLYING ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT IT NEVER EVER CRACKED. WITH SUBARU I AM SHOCKED, I FELT GLASS QUALITY TO BE EITHER FRAGILE OR COMPOSITION OF WINDSHIELD GLASS MAY BE COMPROMISED(OR POOR). I AM NOT SURE IF THE COMPANY HAS NOTICED THIS COMPLAINTS. WHEN I SPOKE TO 3RD PARTY GLASS VENDOR HE TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY SUBARU OUTBACKS WHICH HAD SEEN SIMILAR ISSUES. ON TOP OF IT, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A CHARGE OF ~250$ TO ADJUST SMART LENS, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS, SO IN SUMMARY WHEN A WINDSHIELD CRACKS IT TAKES 350$ GLASS + 250$ LENS CORRECTION = 600$, WHICH I FEEL IS HIGHLY IN-JUSTIFIED. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO TAKE A LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE COMPANY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD DOESN'T KNOW HOW IT'S HAPPENED. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER. THEY SUGGESTED FIXING THE ISSUE WITH INSURANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHY SUBARU IS VERY CARELESSLY HANDLING THE QUALITY OF WINDSHIELD EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FOCUSING MORE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKS
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
OCTOBER 22ND, 2019 MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS SITTING WAITING FOR MY KIDS TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER APPEARED WHILE NORMAL DRIVING. NO INDICATION OF ROCK CHIPS AT ALL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TRAVELING STRAIGHT. CRACK ORIGINATED FROM A-PILLAR AND PROPAGATED TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT AT MY COST OF ABOUT $1000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT OR CHIPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2020
KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM HAS ISSUES. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR UNLOCKED AND / OR WITH THE REAR HATCH DOOR APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY OPEN. I'VE NOTICED ALSO THAT SOMETIMES OTHER PERSON FOB INTERFERING WITH MY CAR. 2X WHEN I'VE BEEN PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD START BLARING FOR NO REASON. ALL THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITH THE CAR PARKED AND ENGINE OFF.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BELOW WHERE THE WIPERS ARE INTO A HUGE CRACK. NO ROCK HIT ME.
Seats, Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2020
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE, I DO NOT RECALL ANY ROCKS OR DEBRIS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. NEXT MORNING THE CRACK GREW TO OVER HALF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE CRACK HAS GROWN TO COVER 85% OF THE WINDSHIELD HORIZONTALLY, ALMOST IN A COMPLETE "U" SHAPE.I NOW HAVE TO DECIDE TO SPEND THE ~$1,000 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD OR DRIVE WITH THE CRACK. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON 2ND CRACKS, I'M HESITANT. THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A VERY ANNOYING SQUEAK WHEN GETTING IN/OUT AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SOME DAYS IT'S WORSE THAN OTHERS, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT THE CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE.
Steering, Mar 3, 2020
UNCONTROLLED STEERING AS DESCRIBED BY OTHER COMPLAINTS WHILE IN MOTION. DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS. HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW JULY 18, 2018.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ABOUT 18" WHEN STATIONARY. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, A TRUCK KICKED UP A ROCK WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT CREATED A CHIP LESS THAN THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. WITHIN ONE HOUR IT STARTED CRACKING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE CHIP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A ROCK CHIP SPREAD LIKE THIS. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY REPAIR. NOW THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES IN THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY NOW. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT CRACK WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND INHIBIT MY VISION.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CRACKED. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE FAR LEFT CORNER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE JUST IN THE MIDDLE AT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A SMALL PEBBLE BOUNCING OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED IT WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING. THE DEALER BUD CLARY AUTO GROUP (1030 COMMERCE AVE, LONGVIEW, WA 98632 (360) 423-1700) REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTO GLASS COMPANY WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Seats, Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
1-WINDSHIELD VERY LARGE CRACK AND IT KEPT GETTING BIGGER 2-DRIVER SEAT IS SQUEAKING EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR. AFRAID THE SEAT FRAME MIGHT COME A PART DURING ACCIDENT
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CRACK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER PORTION WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE GLASS FROM ANY SOURCE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35MPH. THE CRACK CONTINUED ACROSS THE GLASS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND GLASS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE OR IMPACT TO THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD KEPT CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AND THE CRACKS ARE SPREADING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ABOUT TO ENTER HIGHWAY NEAR WHERE I LIVE. I WASN'T YET AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SUDDENLY NOT SURE IF A ROCK OR ROCK SALT HIT MY WINDSHIELD. IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE A LARGE PIECE, AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT. WHAT SEEMED LIKE NORMAL ROAD DEBRIS THAT FROM MY EXPERIENCE WOULD NEVER AFFECT A WINDSHIELD AND HASN'T WITH OTHER CAR MAKES I'VE OWNED ACTUALLY IMPACTED MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. A SMALL CHIP/CHUNK OF GLASS APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD. WAS VERY SURPRISED AND APPALLED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT 4 INCHES TOWARD CENTER. I ACTUALLY WITNESSED THE CRACK SUDDENLY APPEAR WHILE HEARING A CRACKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME; I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A SMOOTH STRETCH OF HIGHWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY FROM A ROCK. I HAVE NO PICTORAL EVIDENCE BUT I HAVE THE REPAIR RECEIPTS.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND CREATED A VERY LARGE SPIDERING CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON UPPER PASSENGER SIDE