VehicleVerdict

2018 Subaru Outback problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 986 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Outback year — the 2018 model ranks #4 of 32 Outback years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 274 reports (28% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

986

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

48

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Outback years?

Outback NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,282 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 57 complaints1997: 94 complaints1998: 165 complaints1999: 150 complaints2000: 247 complaints2001: 207 complaints2002: 172 complaints2003: 116 complaints2004: 108 complaints2005: 354 complaints2006: 404 complaints2007: 182 complaints2008: 281 complaints2009: 142 complaints2010: 466 complaints2011: 855 complaints2012: 367 complaints2013: 406 complaints2014: 275 complaints2015: 640 complaints2016: 769 complaints2017: 1,102 complaints2018: 986 complaints2019: 1,282 complaints2020: 1,126 complaints2021: 405 complaints2022: 543 complaints2023: 119 complaints2024: 130 complaints2025: 104 complaints2026: 11 complaints
Outback NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outback years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Subaru Outback problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers27428%
Electrical System27228%
Other15716%
Driver Assistance515%
Fuel System465%
Steering354%
Engine354%
Speed Control212%
Brakes182%
Tires & Wheels141%
Transmission141%
Body & Structure131%
Lighting91%
Airbags81%
Seats81%
Suspension81%
Seat Belts20%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2018 Subaru Outback 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.

“Replaced windshield at dealer using factory glass on 8/7/24. Daughter came out of apartment on approximately the 18th of December and the windshield had a horizontal crack from side to side. She did not have anything hit the windshield and there were not dings or stars in it. It appears to be a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 18, 2024

“MY 2018 Outback experienced a driver side smoking mirror a few days ago. While parked at the gas station, a large amount of smoke suddenly began emanating from the driver side mirror. As a result I no longer see my TPMS, the ability to lock/unlock the car with the remote, interior lights no longer…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 27, 2025 · fire

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 9, 2018 · crash

“I WAS PARKING MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM NEXT TO MY HOUSE ON MY PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON A BRAKE PEDAL, IT LEFT AROUND 50'' TO COMPLETE A PARKING, LIKE SUDDENLY MY CAR START MOVING FORWARD EVEN THAT I WAS STRONGLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR WENT OVER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE THAT IS NEXT TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 1, 2021 · crash

“On 12/28/2023 my 2018 Subaru Outback without warning suddenly accelerated on its own, causing my vehicle to hit the curb and ran into a building. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 28, 2023 · crash

2018 Subaru Outback — common questions

Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 986 complaints put the 2018 model at #4 of 32 Outback years. It is one of the Outback years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Outback problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (274 complaints), electrical system (272 complaints), other (157 complaints).

Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have recalls?

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

Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2011, 2016, 2015, 2022, 2010, 2013, 2021, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Outback years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2018 Subaru Outback?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Subaru Outback 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.