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.
Power train, Engine, Feb 19, 2019
VEHICLE USES COOLANT AT AN ALARMING RATE WHICH HAS NEARLY LEAD TO OVERHEATING AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO PASS MAKING THE MANEUVER UNSAFE. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO LOOK AT CAR AGAIN, ALREADY BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2019
SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN ONE WEEK. FIRST ONE WAS REPLACED 2/8/18. BOTH TIMES TRAVELED AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEED 25-40 MPH ON LOCAL FWY IN LOS ANGELES, CA. SUNNY MILD, DRY CONDITIONS, NO WIND. SMALL PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD. COULDN'T SEE HIT, ONLY HEARD A SMALL CRACK SOUND. DAMAGED WINDSHIELD, FIRST TIME SMALL PEBBLE MARK GREW TO LONG CRACK. INITIAL IMPACT SIZE ABOUT 1.5 - 2 MM. ONE WEEK LATER ANOTHER PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD IN SLOW TRAFFIC,35 MPH, NO TRUCKS NEAR BY. SAME SIZE OF MARK. SUBARU REQUIRES THEIR WINDSHIELD REPAIR AT CUSTOMER COST OF $930. WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER ANY DEBRIS DAMAGE, BUT SMALL PEBBLES SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE AND COSTS. HAD A GRAND CHEROKEE 184K MILES AND NEVER A CRACK OR DING, NEVER ISSUE FOR OUR 2005 SAAB, OR ANY OREVIOUS VEHICLE. SHOULD NOT COST US $1860 MONTH ADDITIONAL TO MAINTAIN CAR, PLUS SAFETY ISSUE. ACCORDING TO SUBARU CORPORATE: DOES NOT RECOMMEND US TO DRIVE IT WITH I-SITE CAMERA WITH A DAMAGED WINDSHIELD. THEY SAY THAT THE GLASS IS THINNER/LIGHTER IN ORDER TO WORK WITH CAMERA AND BE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT/LIGHTER. CARS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND NORMAL DRIVING AND ROAD CONDITIONS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2019
EXPLODING SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED INTO PIECES WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY OFFRAMP WITH NO OTHER CARS OR BRIDGES NEARBY. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE CAR WASN'T DAMAGED OR SCRATCHED ANYWHERE ELSE, AND THERE WAS NO OBJECT OR DEBRIS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2019
GAS INDICATOR SAYS I HAVE MORE GAS THEN I DO. WHEN EMPTY IT STILL REGISTERS GAS. THERE IS A RECALL BUT NO FIX IS PRESENT.
Service brakes, Feb 8, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE REVERSING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED AND CRASHED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHILE LEAVING THE CRASH SITE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SALVAGE LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED FLATIRON SUBARU (5995 ARAPAHOE AVE, BOULDER, CO 80303, (877) 464-2714) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-374723133. ADDITIONALLY, AN INVESTIGATION TEAM COLLECTED THE DATA BOX. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2019
ON START UP OF VEHICLE THE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AT A LOUD VOLUME AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED OR TURNED OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO BACKUP OR MOVE OUT OF A PARKING SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY SUBARU MECHANICS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP THE RADIO FROM AUTOMATICALLY COMING ON WHEN I START THE CAR. OTHER OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS FEATURE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR 7/4/18
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400.
Structure, Feb 4, 2019
WINDSHIELD SEVERELY CRACKED,POSSIBLY FROM SMALL PEBBLE AT APPROX 35 MPH APPROACHING FWY ON RAMP. WE WERE INFORMED BY CORPORATE THAT THE WINDSHIELD GLASS IS 'SENSITIVE' DUE TO THE 'EYE SIGHT' FEATURE CALIBRATED WITH THE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - AT OWNERS EXPENSE AT $1100. SIZE OF INITIAL IMPACT DAMAGE MARK ON WINDSHIELD WAS 1/16' OR 1-2MM. NEXT DAY IT SPREAD TO SEVERAL INCHES WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. SMALL PEBBLES OR COMMON ROAD DEBRIS SHOULD NOT CAUSE WINDSHIELD FAILURES ESPECIALLY IN VEHICLES THAT ARE ALL WHEEL DRIVE FOR OFF-ROAD. READ THAT OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME YEAR AND MODEL ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING WINDSHIELD FAILURE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 2, 2019
I GOT INTO MY CAR, IT PARKED, CLOSED THE DOOR, HEARD SOMETHING FALL AND WHEN I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS MY ENTIRE REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCH WAS SHATTERED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO FIX IT ON MY OWN, THEY ALSO SAID ANY OF THE WARRANTIES I PURCHASED ALSO DONT COVER IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT 4 PEOPLE ALSO CALLED THIS SAME WEEK WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAD A HATCH BACK CAR FOR 15+ YRS BEFORE PURCHASING THIS SUBARU AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED. JUDY DIDNT SEEM RIGHT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2019
RAN OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGE HAD ORIGINALLY SAID 30 MILES TO EMPTY. THEN GAUGE WENT FROM 30 TO ---- AND THEN STALLED ALL WITHIN A FEW MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH 1/8TH OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING. GAS LIGHT CAME ON ONLY A FEW MILES PRIOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A GAS STATION. CAR STARTED AFTER TURNING OFF AND BACK ON. ONLY TOOK 16.9 GALLONS TO TOP OFF. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE PREVIOUS TIME THE MILES TO EMPTY WAS SHOWING 50 WHEN IT STALLED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE CURRENT RECALL.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2019
BLUETOOTH WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT. SOMETIMES IT LASTS A FEW MINUTES, SOMETIMES A COUPLE HOURS. UNABLE TO RE-CONNECT ONCE IT DOES, SO WE HAVE TO MESS WITH SETTINGS WHILE DRIVING TO SWITCH TO AUX CABLE, RADIO, ETC OR PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR COMPLETELY. WE HAVE VERIFIED THE ISSUE WITH 6 DIFFERENT DEVICES. NONE OF THE DEVICES DEMONSTRATE THE SAME ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER BLUETOOTH DEVICES (WE USE A SPEAKER FOR HOURS ON END IN THE HOUSE WITH NO ISSUES). COMBINE THAT WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN BEING INCREDIBLY SLOW, THIS IS A FRUSTRATING ISSUE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2019
THE SCREEN HAS GONE BLACK AND SIDE LIGHTS BLINK, UNABLE TO USE ANY ITEM CONTROLLED BY THE SCREEN. APPEARS THE WARNING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE STOPPING TOO CLOSELY IS NOT WORKING AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2019
SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED
Steering, Jan 18, 2019
TENSION AND CONTROL DISAPPEARS IN THE STEERING, SO LOOSE IT FEELS LIKE YOU COULD SPIN THE WHEEL LIKE A TOP. LASTS A SECOND OR SO THEN CONTROL RETURNS. HAPPENS IN MULTIPLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. NOTICED IT FIRST DAY WE HAD THE CAR, DEALER SAID HE NOTICED IT TOO, AND WE JUST NEEDED TO BREAK THE CAR IN. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH WINDS, CAR FEELS OUT OF CONTROL, LIKE DRIVING ON SLICK ICE. NEVER HAD TO GET OFF A HIGHWAY BEFORE OUT OF FEAR AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE, TOLD ME TO CALL SUBARU CORPORATE, WHO SENT ME BACK TO DEALER. CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IT ONLY HAS 2700 MILES ON IT AFTER 18 MONTHS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2019
A TINY PEBBLE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT IT SUDDENLY GREW TO A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES LONG. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, AND MY CAR IS FAIRLY NEW ON THE ROAD (LESS THAN 8,000 MILES, BOUGHT IN JULY, 2018). DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT SUBARU STILL HAS NOT FIGURED OUT ITS NOTORIOUS WINDSHIELD-RELIABILITY PROBLEM THAT HAS FRUSTRATED SO MANY DRIVERS THROUGHOUT THE PAST 5 YEARS.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2019
OUR OUTBACK STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT AROUND 3000 MILES. CURRENTLY (AT 9000 MILES) THE CAR STILL DOES THAT. IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS STRONG SIDE WIND PUSHING THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE AT STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY. WE ARE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND MAJOR ISSUE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. THE TIRE PRESSURE THAT IT DISPLAYS DOES NOT MATCH THE ACTUAL ONE MEASURED WITH SEVERAL EXTERNAL INSTRUMENTS (CONSTANTLY 2 PSI LOWER ON ALL FOUR WHEELS). ADDITIONALLY, THE MONITOR SOMETIMES SWITCHES THE FRONT TIRE PRESSURE WITH THE REAR ONES, I.E. THE MONITOR DISPLAYS THE FRONT TIRE PRESSURE AS IF IT IS THE REAR TIRE PRESSURE. VERY CONFUSING!
Service brakes, Jan 16, 2019, crash
I WENT TO TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY BRAKES FAILED. I SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT 5 OTHER CARS AND THE CAR FLIPPED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT US OUT OF THE CAR.THIS WAS A BUSY STREET.
Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Jan 14, 2019
I WAS DRIVING AND THE FUEL INDICATOR INDICATED 70 MILES TO GO LAST TIME I SAW IT. I ONLY HAD TO DRIVE 10 MILES HOME AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED, THANKFULLY ON A LOCAL ROAD. SOME WARNING LIGHTS STARTED APPEARING AND I COULDNT MAKE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I TRIED TO RESTART A FEW TIMES UNTIL I DECIDED IT HAD TO BE FUEL. WE PUSHED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD AND WENT TO GAS STATION TO GET GAS. CAME BACK WITH GAS, REFILLED AND CAR STARTED AND WENT HOME. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT, ALTHOUGHT I COULDNT EXPLAIN WHY THE LAST TIME A SAW THE FUEL GAUGE SAID 70 MILES AND I WAS JUST GOING HOME, NOT EVEN 10 MILES TO GET THERE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2019
INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WENT BLACK ON DECEMBER 17, 2018. RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BLUETOOTH AND REAR CAMERA ARE ALL INOPERABLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 11, 2019
WTZ85 - SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS RECALLING 2018 MODEL YEAR LEGACY, OUTBACK, AND BRZ VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CERTAIN COMBINATION OF HEAD UNIT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD TYPE: RECALL | SERVICE CAMPAIGN: WTZ85 | NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 18V-000000 OPEN RECALL DATE: JANUARY 02, 2019 DESCRIPTION 18 LEG/OUT/BRZ V3 HEAD UNIT REPROGRAM SAFETY RISK DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE, THE HEAD UNIT MEMORY RETRIEVAL AND ASSEMBLY TIME MAY EXCEED THE DESIGNED TIME TO BEGIN THE BOOT-UP CYCLE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE HEAD UNIT DISPLAY WILL NOT BOOT, CAUSING THE SCREEN TO REMAIN BLANK. IN THIS CONDITION, WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE, THE REARVIEW IMAGE MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE TO DISPLAY THE REARVIEW IMAGE CREATES A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 111 ' 'REAR VISIBILITY,' INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THERE ARE 1000'S OF THESE ON BACKORDER CAUSING US TO DRIVE AROUND IN UNSAFE VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN REPLACMENT UNITS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING A LOANER CAR IN THE MEANTIME. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A COMPANY THAT PRIDES THEMSELVES ON THEIR SAFETY!!!!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2019
OPEN RECALL FOR FUEL GAUGE NOT BEING ACCURATE. I ALREAY RAN OUT OF GAS ONCE AND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS NO REMEDY TO MAKE SURE I ALWAYS HAVE A 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS TO AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE! THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON JULY 13, AND I HAVE BEE WAITING SINCE FOR SOLUTION
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2019
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I HAVE NO BACK UP CAMERA, BLUETOOTH, RADIO, CAN NOT PROGRAM CLOCK. SUBARU DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO REPLACE HEAD UNIT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE DEC 14TH FOR THIS REPLACEMENT UNIT. WHILE AT DEALER I ASKED FOR A LOANER AND WAS DENIED. SUBARU SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE WHICH IS NOT TRUE SINCE THEIR BIGGEST SAFETY FEATURE ISNT ACCESSIBLE
Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Jan 9, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHILE FUEL RANGE INDICATED ON DASH JUST HIT 30 MILES TO EMPTY AND CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. WAS NEVER INFORMED BY SUBARU OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2019
DISPLAY PANEL SHUT DOWN, COMPLETELY DARK, DISABLED ARE RADIO, GPS, NAVIGATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BACK UP CAMERA. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS THEY ARE SEEING QUITE A FEW OF THESE AND A NEW RADIO TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WILL TAKE 3 MONTHS TO ARRIVE, NO GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. SO I WILL BE WITHOUT A BACKUP CAMERA, DEEMED CRITICAL ENOUGH THAT IT IS MANDATED ON ALL NEW CARS FOR ONE QUARTER OF THE YEAR. I ALSO ASSUME IF NOT FIXED BY MY NEXT STATE SAFETY INSPECTION I WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THE CAR. SO FAR I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING FROM SUBARU.THIS LOOKS A PRETTY BIG SAFETY ISSUE BEING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.