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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.

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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.

27 crash reports4 fire reports10 injury reports

Steering complaints

35 reports
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10,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

SUBARU LANE ASSIST STEERING ISSUE. WHEN YOU HAVE LANE ASSIST ON THE CAR WILL TRY AND STEER FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY AND STARTED AFTER 10,000 MILES WAS ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11193481

250 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Steering

TENSION AND CONTROL DISAPPEARS IN THE STEERING, SO LOOSE IT FEELS LIKE YOU COULD SPIN THE WHEEL LIKE A TOP. LASTS A SECOND OR SO THEN CONTROL RETURNS. HAPPENS IN MULTIPLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. NOTICED IT FIRST DAY WE HAD THE CAR, DEALER SAID HE NOTICED IT TOO, AND WE JUST NEEDED TO BREAK THE CAR IN. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY…

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TENSION AND CONTROL DISAPPEARS IN THE STEERING, SO LOOSE IT FEELS LIKE YOU COULD SPIN THE WHEEL LIKE A TOP. LASTS A SECOND OR SO THEN CONTROL RETURNS. HAPPENS IN MULTIPLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. NOTICED IT FIRST DAY WE HAD THE CAR, DEALER SAID HE NOTICED IT TOO, AND WE JUST NEEDED TO BREAK THE CAR IN. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN HIGH WINDS, CAR FEELS OUT OF CONTROL, LIKE DRIVING ON SLICK ICE. NEVER HAD TO GET OFF A HIGHWAY BEFORE OUT OF FEAR AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE, TOLD ME TO CALL SUBARU CORPORATE, WHO SENT ME BACK TO DEALER. CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IT ONLY HAS 2700 MILES ON IT AFTER 18 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11170824

3,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

OUR OUTBACK STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT AROUND 3000 MILES. CURRENTLY (AT 9000 MILES) THE CAR STILL DOES THAT. IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS STRONG SIDE WIND PUSHING THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE AT STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY. WE ARE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPEC…

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OUR OUTBACK STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT AROUND 3000 MILES. CURRENTLY (AT 9000 MILES) THE CAR STILL DOES THAT. IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS STRONG SIDE WIND PUSHING THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO STARTED MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE AT STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY. WE ARE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND MAJOR ISSUE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. THE TIRE PRESSURE THAT IT DISPLAYS DOES NOT MATCH THE ACTUAL ONE MEASURED WITH SEVERAL EXTERNAL INSTRUMENTS (CONSTANTLY 2 PSI LOWER ON ALL FOUR WHEELS). ADDITIONALLY, THE MONITOR SOMETIMES SWITCHES THE FRONT TIRE PRESSURE WITH THE REAR ONES, I.E. THE MONITOR DISPLAYS THE FRONT TIRE PRESSURE AS IF IT IS THE REAR TIRE PRESSURE. VERY CONFUSING!

NHTSA ODI #11170464

200 miles · Nov 7, 2018
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE HAD STEERING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE DAY ONE, THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAD TO GET USE TO IT. CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE HYDROPLANING-NO CONTROL THEN STEERING WOULD COME BACK. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY MADE ADJUSTS TO THE ALIGNMENT AND DOESN'T PULL TO RIGHT AS BAD. B…

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I HAVE HAD STEERING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE DAY ONE, THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAD TO GET USE TO IT. CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE HYDROPLANING-NO CONTROL THEN STEERING WOULD COME BACK. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY MADE ADJUSTS TO THE ALIGNMENT AND DOESN'T PULL TO RIGHT AS BAD. BUT THE FEELING OF HYDROPLANING STILL EXISTS AND THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM .THEY TELL ME ITS WITHIN SUBARU'S SPECIFICATIONS THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR SINCE DATE OF SERVICE 3-12-18

NHTSA ODI #11149896

4,700 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Steering

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 SAYING THAT…

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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 SAYING THAT IT IS THE LANE ASSIST BEING ON AND TO TURN IT OFF. WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS IS HAPPENING. IT IS NOT RIGHT AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS AND PLEASE DO A RECALL BEFORE INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE KILLED. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS SMALLER STREETS

NHTSA ODI #11143844

6,000 miles · Oct 2, 2018
Steering

STEERING WAS GREAT UNTIL 6000 MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH EITHER THE FRONT END OR STEERING. THE STEERING IS IRREGULAR AND FEELS AS THOUGH YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING FEELS STUCK AND THERE IS NOT ROAD DEFECT TO BE STUCK IN. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD THE CAR WILL JERK …

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STEERING WAS GREAT UNTIL 6000 MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH EITHER THE FRONT END OR STEERING. THE STEERING IS IRREGULAR AND FEELS AS THOUGH YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING FEELS STUCK AND THERE IS NOT ROAD DEFECT TO BE STUCK IN. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD THE CAR WILL JERK THE FRONT END AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11132944

250 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electrical SystemSeatsSteering

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A 3.6L AND THIS IS MY FIRST 3.6L 6 CYLINDER 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK! AM DISAPPOINTED WITH FEW PROBLEMS: THE FRONT SEATING IS NOT COMFORTABLE AND NOT SUPPORTIVE AT ALL, ESPECIAL IN HARD TURNS THE SEATS WILL NOT HOLD YOU IN PLACE, THE SEAT BED IS TO SHORT AND DOES NOT SUPPORT LONG LEGS IF YOU ARE OVER 5 FEET TALL.…

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I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A 3.6L AND THIS IS MY FIRST 3.6L 6 CYLINDER 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK! AM DISAPPOINTED WITH FEW PROBLEMS: THE FRONT SEATING IS NOT COMFORTABLE AND NOT SUPPORTIVE AT ALL, ESPECIAL IN HARD TURNS THE SEATS WILL NOT HOLD YOU IN PLACE, THE SEAT BED IS TO SHORT AND DOES NOT SUPPORT LONG LEGS IF YOU ARE OVER 5 FEET TALL. FOR SOME REASON THIS IS MY 3RD SUBARU 2ND OUTBACK THAT HAS WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEM RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!!! I ALWAYS SEEM TO BE PULLING THE STEERING-WHEEL/VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT AND MY STEERING IS ALWAYS ON A 15-20 DEGREE OFF AND IF I DON'T STEER AND PULL TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE DRIFTS WAY TO THE LEFT LANE AND THIS DANGERS AND A MAJOR PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITH SPEED OVER 60 THE VEHICLE VIBRATES I TOOK IT IN FOR 4 TIRE WHEEL BALANCING AND I HOPE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, MIND YOU THIS IS A NEW CAR. 2018 OUTBACK HAS A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND SPEEDS OVER 60 THE VEHICLE DRIFTS OR SWAYS DANGEROUSLY LEFT AND RIGHT OUT OF CONTROL AS IF SOMETHING IS PUSHING OR PUSHING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF THE HIGHWAY VIBRATION WITH SPEEDS EXCEEDING 60 IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SWAY OR ITS A WHEEL BALANCING PROBLEM. PREVIOUSLY OWNED SUBARU'S 2011 OUTBACK, 2011 LEGACY, 2014 OUTBACK, 2018 OUTBACK WITH ONLY 290 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITH A FULL GAS TANK I DROVE IT TILL IT DISPLAYED AND THE GAS LIGHT IS ON THAT I ONLY HAVE 40 MILES TO GO BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS SO I DROVE IT TO BE PRECISE ANOTHER 12 MILES THEN STATED THAT I ONLY HAVE 30 MILES TO EMPTY AND PARKED IT WHILE I WENT TO WORK , 6 HOURS LATER TO GO HOME AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, UNFORTUNATELY I RAN OUT OF GAS! I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS A GLITCH OR ITS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM BUT I WILL KEEP MY EYES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11120423

500 miles · May 14, 2018
Steering

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11093608

1,300 miles · May 8, 2018
Steering

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 HIG…

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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!

NHTSA ODI #11092406

200 miles · May 2, 2018
Steering

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…

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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!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11091308

Official recalls

3

21V587000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems