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2018 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 814 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Outback, most often about the visibility and wipers (34% of complaints, typically around 24,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2018 Subaru Outback problems
Visibility and wipers
273 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, rearview mirrors/devices.
Windshield cracked and needed to be replaced 2 times in first 20 months we owned it. Windshield needed to be replaced, and driver-assist (eyesight) system recalibrated to operate safely. Happened in january 2018, and may 2019
Windscreen is easily cracked by any pebbles that knick thr shield. First time the screen was hit by a pebble from a moving vehicle and the crack spread all the way across the screen. Had to replace it with another Subaru glass. Not even 2 weeks in another pebble hits and chips..then a couple weeks later again, another…
Electrical
267 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, instrument cluster/panel.
This model has severe battery drain issues. I have had to repeatedly jump or charge the battery after just a short period of the lift gate or side doors being open. The lights are turned off but they still drain the battery. This is unacceptable in an "outdoor" vehicle. You cannot tailgate, use the lift gate to make a…
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
161 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles.
The windshield cracked from a tiny chip that spread rapidly to about 2feet in length over 4 days. This is my second windshield replacement in less than 12 months. The Outback windshield design is weak, and in my opinion dangerous. Other Outback owners are having the same issue
Driving approximately 50 MPH on south US hwy 231 (left lane), without any incident rear passenger window popped and shattered and then broken glass fell into backseat of car. There was no car in right lane or in front of my car. There were no adverse road conditions. No other damage to car.
Fuel system
46 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Driving the car on i95 at 60 m/h with the gas indicator displaying 30 miles range, and a 1/8 tank left, the car get to a lower gear and the stall. The engine get a complete stop, but I managed to get to the right shoulder with no harm
I drove to a nearby town, indicator said 40 miles to go before empty. Parked. Restarted the car after half an hour. Most of center display functions were dead. It did show back-up view, but no radio, no map. Drove toward home and gas station. After twenty miles, on cruise control at 70mph on highway, engine suddenly…
Engine
37 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
While driving, the vehicle started to lose power and engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was parked and upon inspection of the engine the engine had caught fire. The fire grew and the car was demolished as a result of an engine fire. The vehicle was in perfect working order before the fire, well maintained…
I drove to a nearby town, indicator said 40 miles to go before empty. Parked. Restarted the car after half an hour. Most of center display functions were dead. It did show back-up view, but no radio, no map. Drove toward home and gas station. After twenty miles, on cruise control at 70mph on highway, engine suddenly…
Steering
36 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
At least 10 times in the past week we have almost crashed due to the steering. We went off the road twice. The car is seriously veering off to the right, almost like you are hydroplaning on dry land. You can't even steer the car back into the lane. It just goes by itself. I did take it to the dealer today. They are…
The vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer addressed the problem twice in two weeks by doing a four wheel alignment. The vehicle is still pulling to the left. A more concerning issue just started. The vehicle has applied the right front brake at highway speeds. Not hard, just enough to feel the steering wheel jump to…
Driver assistance
22 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, adaptive cruise control, warning.
Windshield spontaneously cracked near middle top of windshield, from edge about 6-8inches and within the field of view of the eyesight cameras
While driving 70 miles per hour: on most curves to the left the car seems to "grab" to the left and then I correct the swing. Sometimes it seems to almost over correct. And I have experienced the same issue while on the straight way and the car will seem to pull to the right. Not enough that I am in danger of crashing…
Speed control
21 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles.
After using 'x-mode' the car began to accelerate on its own without engaging the gas pedal. It continued even after turning the car off and restarting it. I then pulled over and came to a complete stop, shifted to neutral, and it again accelerated from 0-40 MPH before it started to decelerate on its own.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. While driving low speeds in a lower gear, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to mcgovern Subaru (203 lafayette rd, north hampton, nh 03862, ([phone]) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Subaru Outback recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: rearview mirrors/devices
Risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Subaru Outback
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (273 complaints, typically around 24,000 miles); electrical (267 complaints, typically around 16,500 miles); other or unspecified (161 complaints, typically around 12,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 29, 2021 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Subaru Outback?
- It is 4th of 27 Outback model years by number of complaints, with 814 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.