VehicleVerdict

2018 Subaru Legacy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 161 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Legacy year — the 2018 model ranks #8 of 39 Legacy years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 43 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

161

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Legacy years?

Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted248 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 103 complaints1991: 121 complaints1992: 66 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 67 complaints1995: 230 complaints1996: 161 complaints1997: 179 complaints1998: 155 complaints1999: 119 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 90 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 55 complaints2005: 248 complaints2006: 135 complaints2007: 45 complaints2008: 83 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 234 complaints2012: 119 complaints2013: 84 complaints2014: 73 complaints2015: 232 complaints2016: 192 complaints2017: 140 complaints2018: 161 complaints2019: 142 complaints2020: 143 complaints2021: 43 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 12 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Legacy NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legacy years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Subaru Legacy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4327%
Visibility & Wipers3220%
Other2918%
Driver Assistance106%
Engine106%
Fuel System85%
Brakes64%
Steering42%
Body & Structure42%
Airbags32%
Speed Control32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Suspension21%
Lighting21%
Transmission11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V587000Fuel SystemJuly 29, 2021 · 175,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

18V935000Visibility & WipersDecember 31, 2018 · 71,190 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.

Remedy

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.

18V773000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2018 · 228,648 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 4, 2024 · fire

“MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 1, 2024

“I was going down the hill in my development, I made it approximately 2-300ft at 7-10MPH when suddenly there was a loud “bang”. I could not see anything, my airbags had deployed and blocked my field of vision. I ended up hitting an electrical pole. There was no need for the airbags to go off. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 18, 2022 · crash

“A friend was trying to move the car from the street when it suddenly lurched and accelerated and hit a tree, and boulder, and another car. They had not stepped on the accelerator yet. She lost control of the car. It was totaled as per State Farm.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 8, 2023 · crash

“DRIVING TO WORK EARLY THIS AM NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A HEAR A SMALL POP AND LOOK OVER TO NOTICE MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK IN IT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 13, 2021

2018 Subaru Legacy — common questions

Is the 2018 Subaru Legacy reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 161 complaints put the 2018 model at #8 of 39 Legacy years. It is one of the Legacy years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Legacy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (43 complaints), visibility & wipers (32 complaints), other (29 complaints).

Does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Legacy years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legacy years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2015, 1995, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2018, 1996, 1998, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2006, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Legacy years belongs to 1989.

How safe is the 2018 Subaru Legacy?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Subaru Legacy earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.