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, Jul 11, 2018
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS 12000 MILES ON THE CAR. HESITATION WANDERING,BUCKS,SHAKE,SOLW DOWN VERY QUICK WHEN COASTING. WENT TO DEALER 3 TIMES DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
Engine, Jun 19, 2018
ENGINE CUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I'M ABLE TO RESTART AFTER PULLING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FEBRUARY 22 AND MARCH 24, 2018 WERE THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE ISSUE HAPPENED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID SUBARU WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP MY GAS ABOVE HALF A TANK. THE ISSUE HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE I STARTED KEEPING MY GAS HALF FULL. THE 'MILES TO EMPTY' GAGE IS VERY INACCURATE. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE IT SPONTANEOUSLY CUTS OFF, AND I'M WORRIED IT WILL CUT OFF IN AN INTERSECTION OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MACON, GA SUBARU HAS BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL AND UNWILLING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER NAMED KEVIN SAID THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY CAUSED BY FAILURE OF ONE OF TWO PARTS INVOLVING THE FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE BRUNT OF THE COST IF THEY SENT MY PART BACK TO SUBARU. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN UNACCEPTABLE REASON TO REFUSE TO ATTEMPT THE REPAIR OF SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Fuel system, Other, May 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE PUSHING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, IT ROLLED OVER THE DRIVER'S LEGS. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,900.
Electrical system, May 29, 2018
I HAVE 6000 MILES ON MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK AND RODENTS ATE THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN MY ENGINE WHICH CAUSED ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I FOUND OUT MY WIRES ARE SOY BASED WHICH ATTRACTED THE RODENTS.I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY DASHBOARD INDICATORS LIT UP INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAD THE WIRING REPAIRED. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SUBARU TO REPLACE ALL MY WIRING WITH NON-SOY BASED WIRING AT NO COST TO ME IMMEDIATELY AND GIVE ME A LOANER CAR WITHOUT SOY BASED WIRING UNTIL MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL CARS ON THE ROAD ARE HAZARD FREE.
Visibility/wiper, May 22, 2018
WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKS - WE HAVE HAD OUR 2018 OUTBACK FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 5000 MILES AND HAVE HAD 3 WINDSHIELDS DEVELOP SEVERE CRACKING. THE FIRST TWO WERE REPLACED WITH FACTORY WINDSHIELDS BY PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT, THE LAST TWO BEING BARELY PERCEIVABLE, RESULTS IN AN ELONGATED CRACK FORMING. WITH FOUR VEHICLES IN OUR HOUSEHOLD, WE HAVE ONLY HAD 2 WINDSHIELDS REPLACED IN 14 YEARS SINCE MOVING TO THIS AREA SO HAVE RULED OUT BAD LUCK OR DRIVING HABIT. SUBARU (BOTH DEALER AND CORPORATE) HAVE BEEN UNRESPONSIVE. THE CURRENT CRACKING AND STAR FORMED AFTER A BARELY AUDIBLE IMPACT. THE STAR GREW AND IS NOW CRUMBLING IN THE CENTER WITH 3 FRACTURE LINES EXTENDING FROM IT. FIRST INCIDENT - ON I-17 WHILE PASSING A SEMI APPROX SPEED 75 MPH SECOND INCIDENT - ON AZ 69 IN NORMAL TRAFFIC APPOX SPEED 45 MPH THIRD INCIDENT - ON I-17 WHILE FOLLOWING A VEHICLE USING ISIGHT DYNAMIC CRUISE CONTROL APPROX SPEED 75 MPH FIRST TWO CLAIMS COVERED BY INSURANCE WHICH WE ATTRIBUTED TO BAD LUCK. THIRD INCIDENT IN SO FEW MONTHS/MILES SEEMS TO POINT TO QUALITY/DESIGN ISSUE SINCE OTHER VEHICLES (PAST AND PRESENT) HAVE NEVER DEVELOPED THIS SEVERE CRACKING (PICTURE PROVIDED) WHICH PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT.
Air bags, Seats, May 21, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE SRS OCCUPANCY DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOW OFF EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE WAS STILL IN THAT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON EVERY DRIVE WE TAKE IN THE CAR THAT LASTS MORE THEN 25 MINUTES.
Electrical system, May 21, 2018
WHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARD EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ON WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF AND I LOCK THE CAR , BOTH KEYLESS REMOTES STOP WORKING WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER. TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS CAR NEED TO USE THE MANUAL KEY, ALARM HORN GOES OFF AND THEN PUSH THE ENGINE START BUTTON AND ALL SEEMS TO WORK FINE AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Other or unspecified, May 14, 2018
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS WAS NOT DAMAGED PREVIOUSLY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE OR THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE THICKNESS OF THE GLASS/CAR STRUCTURAL STRESS.
Steering, May 14, 2018
TRADED IN A 2016 FOR A 2018 .THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING , PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE CAR WILL SWAY OR VEER TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. IT FEELS TO ME AS IF A GUST OF WIND HAS PUSHED THE CAR AND I HAVE TO ADJUST THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND DESCRIBES IT AS IF THE CAR IS HYDROPLANING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS AT THIS TIME APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2018, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ALERT OF THE VEHICLE APPROACHING ON THE STREET, COLLISION FOLLOWED. SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO OF THE ACCIDENT IS AVAILABLE HOWEVER SIZE EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM SPECIFIED FOR THE UPLOAD.
Steering, May 8, 2018
DRIVING OUR NEW 2018 OUTBACK WE EXPERIENCE PERIODIC STEERING IRREGULARITIES THAT ARE FLAT SCARY. ESPECIALLY AT 65MPS AND ABOVE THE CAR SEEMS TO SELF CORRECT .BY EXAMPLE A LANE CHANGE THE CAR STARTS TO 'FLOAT" AND OVER COMPENSATES ON DIRECTIONAL CHANGE. TROUBLING ALSO IS THE EXPERIENCE OF STABILITY AT TIMES AS IF DRIVING IN HIGH WINDS-WHEN THERE IS NO WIND. WHEN WE TURN "OFF" DRIVING ASSISTANCE LANE SYSTEM-STILL SAME PROBLEMS. WHEELS SEEM TO HAVE A 'MIND OF THEIR OWN" AND WERE NOT ALWAYS IN CONTROL. TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP- THERE SERVICE PERSON SAID THEY HAD ALSO HAD THE EXPERIENCE(S)..BUT WE JUST NEED TO GET USE TO. NOT ACCEPTABLE!
Wheels, May 5, 2018
TIRE TREAD BEGAN SEPARATING FROM SIDEWALL WITHIN 1100 MILES. THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P 225/60 R18. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A A SUBARU DEALER ON 03/24/2018 WITH THIS TIRE INSTALLED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN RETURNING TO MY CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED.
Electrical system, May 4, 2018
REAR TAIL GATE OPENS WITHOUT ACTIVATION AT 35 MPH WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT IT IS TOO BIG TO SEND. MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER JUST PURCHASING FLOWERS AND PLANTS AT A LOCAL NURSERY WHEN THE TAILGATE JUST STARTED TO OPEN ALL BY ITSELF SPILLING SOME OF THE PLANTS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TAILGATE LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AT ABOUT TWO FEET IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Visibility/wiper, May 2, 2018
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS IN MY FIELD OF VIEW! I AM ONLY 5'4" AND I LIKE TO RAISE MY SEAT ALL THE WAY UP TO GIVE ME GOOD VISIBILITY. IF I DO THAT , THE REAR VIEW MIRROR GETS IN MY WAY, I HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO LOOK UNDER THE MIRROR!! ONE OTHER THING, IF I DO RAISE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY UP, I HAVE NO "ARMREST" THE ARMREST CAN NOT BE RAISED, SO THAT TOO MAKES ME LOWER MY SEAT!! THE MIRROR IS TOO LOW AND SO ARE THE ARMRESTS!!!!! HUGE BLIND SPOT!!!!
Steering, May 2, 2018
SUBARU BETTER TAKE NOTICE ON THIS STEERING ISSUE! IT IS A DANGER!!! WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE WALKING ON THE ROAD AND YOU NEED TO SWING A LITTLE WIDER AROUND THEM, THE LANE KEEP PUSHES YOU TOWARDS THE PEDESTRIAN!!! IN ADDITION TO THIS, WHEN DRIVING AT 55 AND ABOVE, IT CONSTANTLY FEELS AS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING YOU AROUND! THERE IS NO WIND! THIS IS A DANGER AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES NOW, THAT I HAVE ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD!!! SHOULD I TURN OFF MY LANE KEEP ASSIST TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING!?!? I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 WEEKS, AND SO FAR I FEEL LIKE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE GETTING THIS CAR!!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU. I AM LOYAL TO THE BRAND. IF I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER!! OR I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A LOWER MODEL. I HAVE THE 2018 LIMITED OUTBACK. I MY OPINION BUYER BEWARE!! OR GET A LOWER MODEL WITHOUT THESE OPTIONS!!!!
Steering, Apr 30, 2018
MOSTLEY AT HIGHER SPEEDS.70 MPH.THE STEERING REACTS ERRATICALLY.MUTIPLE SYMPTIONS CONCERNS.ON A CONSISTENT BASIS,THE FEELING OF CONTROL LEAVES,IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT HYDROPLANING IN DEEP WATERWHEN YOUR TIRES TEMPORANILY LOSE CONTACT WITH PAVEMENT.THIS CAN HAPPEN DURING ANY CONDITION.ALL CONTROL SEEMS TO LEAVE ,THEN CONTROL COMES BACK.IN HIGH WINDS ,WHEN U NEED TO CORRECT THE STEEING ANGLE THIS SISATION HAPPENS A LOT.ANY MOVEMENT FROM A STRAIGHT LINE WILL CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN.SOMETIME STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING ,THE STEERING WHEEL JUST MOMENTARILY ATTEMPTS TO TURN ON ITS OWN.IN THE RAIN AFRAID TO DIVE OUTBACK 65 MPH BECAUSE THE THE STEERIN KEEPS LEAVING,AGAIN LIKE ITS HYDRO PLAINING,AND NO I WASENT HYDROPLANING AS EVERY OTHER CAR WAS PASSING ME 70+ MPH.THIS IS A CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT PROBLEM.ITS VEY SCAREY AND I QUITE ALARMNED AT TIS PROBLE.THERE IS SOMETHING MAJOR WRONG WITH THE 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED.NEED HELP.AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR.BOUGHT CAR ON 4/24/2018,OWNED IT 8 DAYS.(394 MILS ON CAR.TAKING IT TO HOME TOWN SUBARU,BECKLEY FOR EVALUEATION(DRIVE CAR) ON STEERING. ISSUE.ILL NEED A SIGNED DOCKUMENT FROM SERVICE REP BEFORE I DRIVE CAR AGAIN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2018
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACKED, LOWER MID AREA EXTENDED UPWARD ABOUT 12 INCHES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED. WAS NOT HIT BY ANY ROAD DEBRIS. NOTICED DEFECT WHEN STARTING CAR.
Steering, Apr 22, 2018
MOSTLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, 70+, THE STEERING REACTS ERRATICALLY. MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS OF MAJOR CONCERN. ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, THE FEELING OF CONTROL LEAVES, IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE HYDROPLANING INTO DEEP WATER WHEN YOUR TIRES TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT, THIS CAN HAPPEN DURING ANY DRIVING CONDITION. ALL CONTROL SEEMS TO LEAVE. THEN CONTROL COMES BACK. IN HIGH WIND, WHEN YOU NEED TO CORRECT THE STEERING ANGLE THIS SENSATION HAPPENS A LOT. ANY MOVEMENT AWAY FROM A STRAIGHT LINE WILL CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. SOMETIMES IN STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL JUST MOMENTARILY ATTEMPTS TO TURN ON ITS OWN. LAST NIGHT IN RAIN, I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE OVER 65 MPH BECAUSE THE STEERING KEPT LEAVING, AGAIN LIKE IT WAS HYDRO PLANING, AND NO IT WASN'T HYDROPLANING AS EVERY OTHER CAR WAS PASSING ME AT 75+ MPH. THIS IS A CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT IS VERY SCARY AND I AM QUITE ALARMED AT THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS SOMETHING MAJOR WRONG HERE.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2018
LEFT SIDEVIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ROTATE FAR ENOUGH TO LEFT: A PERSON OR VEHICLE WITHIN 3 FEET OR GREATER DISTANCE OF LEFT SIDE AND ADJACENT WITH AFT OF LEFT REAR DOOR (IE, PARALLEL TO THE BREAK LINE OF THE DOOR WHERE IT CLOSES) CANNOT BE SEEN IN SIDE VIEW MIRROR. A REPLACEMENT MIRROR WAS INSTALLED BY DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. CHECKING OUT ANOTHER NEW 2018 OUTBACK RESULTED IN SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE WILL RESULT IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS WITH DRIVER-SIDE IMPACTS OR OTHER, BOTH WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR WORKS WELL WITH COMPLETE VIEW ANGLE OF ADJACENT LANE OR FURTHER IF REQUIRED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2018
SUBARU OUTBACKS HAVE DEFECTIVE DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) COMPUTER CODE THAT WILL RUN YOU OUT OF GAS WITH READINGS LIKE "30 MILES TO EMPTY" OR "40 MILES TO EMPTY" I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE GENERAL EXPECTATION IS EVERY CAR OUT THERE GETS YOU TO 0 AND HAS A RESERVE. I RAN OUT OF GAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET 2 MILES FROM A GAS STATION WITH "30 MILES TO EMPTY" DISPLAYED. SAT ON SIDE OF ROAD AT 1AM FOR 40 MINUTES WAITING FOR GAS. IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE IN A TUNNEL, IN THE LEFT LANE ON A BUSY 5 LANE HIGHWAY, ETC. THIS HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT ON A POPULAR OUTBACK MESSAGE BOARD HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/482441-RUNNING-EMPTY-2-5-JUST-FACTS.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/412218-I-RAN-OUT-GAS-GAUGE-HAS-NO-MERCY.HTML#POST4724098 HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/442537-OUTBACK-RAN-ME-OUT-GAS.HTML . <--- THIS ONE IS ME HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/427057-USING-MILES-TILL-EMPTY.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/461266-RAN-OUT-FUEL-20-MILES-LEFT.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/364505-MILES-LEFT-FUEL-GAUGE.HTML#POST4173305
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL ON A RAINY MORNING IN TRAFFIC,20-30MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THE CAR STALLED AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. (I AM LUCKY I DID NOT GET REAR ENDED; OTHERWISE I WOULD BE IN THE HOSPITAL GETTING MY CHILD CHECKED OUT.) ROLLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; AS CLOSE AS I COULD GET.. SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR. STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND DROVE THREE MILES AFTER THAT AND STILL HAVE ENOUGH TO GET TO A GAS STATION; SO IT IS NOT A FUEL SUPPLY ISSUE. THIS IS NOT SAFE!!! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! THIS IS A NEW CAR PURCHASED THREE MONTHS AGO!!! CALLED THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP AND ASKED IF THIS COULD BE PART OF THE ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH FUEL ECONOMY. I AM AVERAGING 16.1 MPG. MY 2007 MERCURY MILLAN PREMIER AWD AVERAGED AROUND 22.8MPG: 10 YEARS OLDER AND LARGER ENGINE (3.0 VS 2.5). I ALSO LET HIM KNOW THAT AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR IS FIGHTING AS IF IN THE WRONG GEAR AND LOW TORQUE. ALSO THERE IS NOT A SMOOTH COAST, IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE CAR IS BRAKING BY BEING IN THE WRONG GEAR. I HAVE HAD A TOYOTA, DODGE, FORD, MERCURY, HONDA, AND HYUNDAI IN THE FAMILY AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT SAFE!!! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! THIS IS A NEW CAR PURCHASED THREE MONTHS AGO!!! I ALSO ASKED HIM IF THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HEAD UNIT WHICH IS RIDDLED WITH PROBLEMS. HOW DID SUBARU LET A CAR LIKE THIS OFF THE LINE? I NOW FEAR USING THIS CAR. I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A FATAL ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT WANT TO INTRODUCE FATAL RISKS TO MY FAMILY. I AM TOLD THAT IF THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPRODUCED AT THE DEALER, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TRANSLATION: CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM STUCK WITH A DEATH TRAP.
Structure, Mar 26, 2018
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON A COOL (45 DEGREES) DAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH, THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THE VICINITY. THERE WAS A SUDDDEN UNEXPLAINED NOISE OVERHEAD, THEN A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE NOISE AND THEN A LOUD RUSH OF WIND AND THE SOUND OF SOMETHING BREAKING AND FLAPPING AND SOMETHING BLOWING AND HITTING THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I SLID OPEN THE SUNSHADE A VERY SMALL DISTANCE AND DISCOVERED MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR CAUSE.THIS WAS ON A 7 MONTH OLD 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF AND 17,000 MIKES ON IT. THE SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED AT THE TIME AND FORTUNATELY SO WAS THE INTERIOR SUNSHADE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2018
A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 7 INCHES IN LENGTH, RUNNING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW - WHERE IT MEETS THE RUBBER GASKET OF THE DOOR - UP AND TO THE RIGHT. IT OBSCURES THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR. THIS CRACK APPEARED SUDDENLY ON 2/21/18. PRIOR TO THIS, WE NOTICED A BUBBLING OR WARPING OF THE WINDOW IN THE TOP LEFT AREA THAT DISTORTED THE VIEW - THIS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON THE NHTSA SITE.
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2018
8" NAVIGATION/DISPLAY FROZEN. NO BACK-UP CAMERA WHEN IN REVERSE. DOES NOT RESPOND TO INPUTS EITHER ON THE DISPLAY OR FROM STEERING WHEEL. "POWER" SWITCH DID NOT POWER DOWN THE UNIT. STOPPING THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING DID NOT RESET THE UNIT. STOPPING THE ENGINE, OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRIVERS DOOR AND RESTARTING DID NOT RESET THE UNIT. REMAINED INOPERATIVE DURING MORNING COMMUTE (30 MIN). CENTER CONSOLE REMAINED ON AFTER EXITING AND LOCKING THE CAR. AFTER 9 HOURS THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A JUMP-START, THE UNIT DID RESET AND SEEMS TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO POWER-DOWN (REBOOT) THE NAVIGATION/RADIO DISPLAY WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP THE CAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE.
Steering, Feb 7, 2018
MOST OCCURRENCES WERE AT HIGH SPEED ON INTERSTATES. I THOUGHT IT WAS WIND RELATED BUT PROBABLY WASN'T. CAR WOULD SEEM TO MOVE SLIGHTLY WITH NO STEERING EFFORT AND THEN THE STEERING WOULD PUSH BACK SEVERELY ON CURVES SOMETIMES IT WOULD PUSH FROM SIDE TO SIDE SETTING UP A SWERVING MOTION. NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON THIS CONTINUED FOR FOUR DAYS AND THEN HAS NOT BEEN EXPERIENCED AGAIN. SERVICE COULD NOT DUPLICATE. I CONSIDER THIS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT IF IT CONTINUES I WILL TRADE THE CAR. THE MOVEMENTS ARE SEVERE ENOUGH IN MY OPINION TO BE DANGEROUS. THESE EVENTS OCCURRED ON 1-27,28,29,30-2018.