VEHICLE IN MOTION APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH IN REGULAR STREET DRIVING. THE CAR HAS FELT AS IF THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL OR AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEIZING UP. THIS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. A BIT UNNERVING BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WITH MOVING TRAFFIC BEHIND, IN FRONT AND TO THE SIDES.
2018 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Outback years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
488 reports with mileage · 323 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 265 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
37 reports** 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK ** THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES** DRIVING CAR WHEN CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ENGINE TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS - SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE LOW FUEL WARNING SYSTEM TURNS ON AT 1/4 TANK OF GAS. THIS 3RD TIME ALMOST GOT ME KILLED TRAVELING AT 45MPG WHEN IT HAPPENED TODAY INSIDE A M…
Read full complaint
** 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK ** THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES** DRIVING CAR WHEN CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ENGINE TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS - SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE LOW FUEL WARNING SYSTEM TURNS ON AT 1/4 TANK OF GAS. THIS 3RD TIME ALMOST GOT ME KILLED TRAVELING AT 45MPG WHEN IT HAPPENED TODAY INSIDE A MAJOR INTERSECTION. SOFTWARE / SENSOR FOR THE LOW FUEL SYSTEM? SOMETHING IS VERY SERIOUSLY WRONG. 1. IS THIS CAR SAFE TO DRIVE WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS? 2. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM? 3. IS THERE A RECALL OR FIX ?
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 OUTBACK. I WAS DRIVING IT GOING ABOUT 25 MPH ON ROAD BY MY HOUSE AND IT SHUT DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, GAS PEDAL WOULDN'T WORK, THE ONLY WAY I GOT IT TO GO WAS SHUTTING IT OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTING IT. THEY CAR HAS 3500 MILES, I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/25 AND THEY …
Read full complaint
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 OUTBACK. I WAS DRIVING IT GOING ABOUT 25 MPH ON ROAD BY MY HOUSE AND IT SHUT DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, GAS PEDAL WOULDN'T WORK, THE ONLY WAY I GOT IT TO GO WAS SHUTTING IT OFF COMPLETELY AND RESTARTING IT. THEY CAR HAS 3500 MILES, I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/25 AND THEY HAVE HAD IT SINCE. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SAYING IT WAS THE CAUSE OF IT SHUTTING DOWN ON ME. I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK ON 9/21 AND DROVE IT FOR 180 MILES, THIS TIME AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUTDOWN AGAIN WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE ON A 2 LANE ROAD, POWER STEERING LOST AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON DASHBOARD LIKE IT HAD SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST TIME BUT I WAS DRIVING MUCH FASTER THIS TIME.AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS THE CAR JUST KIND OF STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PUSH THE START BUTTON I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD POSSIBLY GET ME KILLED OR SOMEONE ELSE KILLED WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. SUBARU SERVICE FACILITY HAS NO CLUE WHATS GOING ON SINCE THE CAR IS NOT THROWING CODES. I HAVE STARTED THE LEMON LAW PROCESS BUT SUBARU IS NOT BEING VERY HELPFUL THUS FAR. ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SEAT NOT SENSING IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND NOT ENABLING THE AIRBAGS. THIS PROBLEM CAME UP ON THE SCAN ON 8/25 ANALYSIS. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE, NOTHING IN THE CAR TOLD ME PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING. SUBARU REPLACED THE SEAT BUT I AM STILL CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM IS GOING ON SINCE I HAVE NO WAY TO TELL IF IT WORKS OR NOT.
VEHICLE DEVELOPED DRIP FROM TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY MID JUNE 2018. TOOK TO DEALER & UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE AFTER 11 DAYS IN SHOP. THEY PUT DYE IN AND I DROVE UNTIL 7-30-18 WHEN DRIP RETURNED. CAR IN SHOP 6 DAYS FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR RETURNED 8-9-18. 11 DAYS LATER 8-21-18 MAJOR OIL LEAK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE DEVELOPED DRIP FROM TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY MID JUNE 2018. TOOK TO DEALER & UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE AFTER 11 DAYS IN SHOP. THEY PUT DYE IN AND I DROVE UNTIL 7-30-18 WHEN DRIP RETURNED. CAR IN SHOP 6 DAYS FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR RETURNED 8-9-18. 11 DAYS LATER 8-21-18 MAJOR OIL LEAK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF 8-24-18 THEY ARE STILL ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE LEAK. WILL HAVE TO PULL ENGINE. MAY NOT GET CAR BACK DURING AUGUST. OUTBACK HAS LESS THAN 15000 MILES. HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU REQUESTED LEMON LAW AS THE VEHICLE HAS NEARLY 40 CUMULATIVE DAYS IN THE SHOP SINCE PURCHASED 8-16-18. OUTBACK HAS ALSO HAD 2 NEW RADIOS AND MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES FOR NUMEROUS RADIO ISSUES.
SUBARU IS SELLING NEW VEHICLES WITH INADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF COOLANT IN THE ENGINES COOLING SYSTEM. THIS HAS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR COOLANT BEING ADDED AS RESIDUAL AIR IN THE SYSTEM IN EXPELLED TO THE RESERVOIR. IF A CUSTOMER FOLLOWS SUBARUS GUIDANCE FOR TIME/MILEAGE TO FIRST INSPECTION THEY RISK HAVING THE CAR OVERHEAT/STA…
Read full complaint
SUBARU IS SELLING NEW VEHICLES WITH INADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF COOLANT IN THE ENGINES COOLING SYSTEM. THIS HAS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR COOLANT BEING ADDED AS RESIDUAL AIR IN THE SYSTEM IN EXPELLED TO THE RESERVOIR. IF A CUSTOMER FOLLOWS SUBARUS GUIDANCE FOR TIME/MILEAGE TO FIRST INSPECTION THEY RISK HAVING THE CAR OVERHEAT/STALL WHILE DRIVING POTENTIALLY CAUSE BODILY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP WITH MULTIPLE DEALERS WITH NO RESOLUTION.
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 IS…
Read full complaint
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.
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 INT…
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
321V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Jul 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
18V935000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices
Dec 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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
18V773000 · Electrical System:software; Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration