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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

160 reports
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9,790 miles · May 18, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

WHILE PARKED INDOORS A FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACK FIRST APPEARED ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. NO SIGN OF BEING STRUCK BY PROJECTILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325013

15,928 miles · May 17, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD CRACK UNDER WIPERS ON PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 2 DAYS. UNDER STAY IN PLACE ORDERS. 2 CRACKS ABOUT 1 INCH APART, NO SIGN OF IMPACT. CRACK BECAME A LONG LINE INTO THE DRIVER VIEW. WHILE DRIVING FOR 1/2 MILE. CALLED SUBARU AND MENTIONED THAT NOTHING HIT CAR. THEY SAID NO PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD…

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WINDSHIELD CRACK UNDER WIPERS ON PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 2 DAYS. UNDER STAY IN PLACE ORDERS. 2 CRACKS ABOUT 1 INCH APART, NO SIGN OF IMPACT. CRACK BECAME A LONG LINE INTO THE DRIVER VIEW. WHILE DRIVING FOR 1/2 MILE. CALLED SUBARU AND MENTIONED THAT NOTHING HIT CAR. THEY SAID NO PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELDS HAVE BEEN RECORDED.

NHTSA ODI #11324861

8,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020
Unknown Or Other

2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2017 - OEM WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE (IN 2 YEARS).

NHTSA ODI #11318505

2,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IN THAT YEAR MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE TIMES ACROSS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD UPON IMPACT OF A TINY ROCK. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED ON MY AC WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SPLIT- I COULDN'T EVEN FIND A CHIP THAT CAUSED THE HUGE C…

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I OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IN THAT YEAR MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED THREE TIMES ACROSS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD UPON IMPACT OF A TINY ROCK. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, AND TURNED ON MY AC WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SPLIT- I COULDN'T EVEN FIND A CHIP THAT CAUSED THE HUGE CRACK. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS OVER $800 EACH TIME SO I SOLD THE VEHICLE AFTER THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST CRACK WAS IN APRIL 2019 AND THE LAST WAS IN AUGUST 2019. I INVOLVED MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THAT I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS HOT OUT AND THAT'S WHY THE GLASS WAS CRACKING, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD BEHAVE IN THAT MANNER BEFORE, NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA ODI #11318095

30,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT SAFELITE GLASS WAS IN ABLE TO RECALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. THEY TRIED TO SWITCH THE AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM WINDOW AND IT DIDN'T WORK AND SENT ME TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO RECALIBRATE. THIS DIDN'T WORK…

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I OWN A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT SAFELITE GLASS WAS IN ABLE TO RECALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. THEY TRIED TO SWITCH THE AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM WINDOW AND IT DIDN'T WORK AND SENT ME TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO RECALIBRATE. THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER SO THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. SAFELITE STAYED THIS HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THEY REPLACE WINDSHIELDS BECAUSE THE CAMERAS ARE NOT PROTECTED SO IF A LITTLE DUST GETS ON IT WHILE THEY CHANGE THE WINDSHIELD IT CAN SCREW UP THE CAMERAS ABILITY TO RECALIBRATE. THEY ALSO ADVISE IT'S A KNOW ISSUE WITH SUBARU'S BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE IT

NHTSA ODI #11318092

23,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020
Unknown Or Other

DURING 4TH WEEK AUGUST 2019, I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SHOULDER ON INTERSTATE 90. THERE WAS USUAL TRAFFIC, NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A TINY ROCK WHICH CAME FLYING ON MY WINDSHIELD, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY NOISE NOR I HAVE SEEN ANY CHIPPING. THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP TOO SEE A TINY CRACK, IMMEDIATELY I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND …

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DURING 4TH WEEK AUGUST 2019, I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SHOULDER ON INTERSTATE 90. THERE WAS USUAL TRAFFIC, NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A TINY ROCK WHICH CAME FLYING ON MY WINDSHIELD, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY NOISE NOR I HAVE SEEN ANY CHIPPING. THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP TOO SEE A TINY CRACK, IMMEDIATELY I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT COST'S, BUT AS IT WAS WEEKEND, I WASNT ABLE TO GET A SLOT. 2 DAYS LATER I SEE A NICE FINE CRACK ACROSS THE SCREEN, THIS WAS A BAD SURPRISE FOR ME, I USED A MAZDA FOR 3 YEARS BEFORE AND DEFINITELY TRAVELED A LOT, WITH TINY ROCKS FLYING ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT IT NEVER EVER CRACKED. WITH SUBARU I AM SHOCKED, I FELT GLASS QUALITY TO BE EITHER FRAGILE OR COMPOSITION OF WINDSHIELD GLASS MAY BE COMPROMISED(OR POOR). I AM NOT SURE IF THE COMPANY HAS NOTICED THIS COMPLAINTS. WHEN I SPOKE TO 3RD PARTY GLASS VENDOR HE TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY SUBARU OUTBACKS WHICH HAD SEEN SIMILAR ISSUES. ON TOP OF IT, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A CHARGE OF ~250$ TO ADJUST SMART LENS, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS, SO IN SUMMARY WHEN A WINDSHIELD CRACKS IT TAKES 350$ GLASS + 250$ LENS CORRECTION = 600$, WHICH I FEEL IS HIGHLY IN-JUSTIFIED. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO TAKE A LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #11318073

12,000 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Unknown Or Other

KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM HAS ISSUES. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR UNLOCKED AND / OR WITH THE REAR HATCH DOOR APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY OPEN. I'VE NOTICED ALSO THAT SOMETIMES OTHER PERSON FOB INTERFERING WITH MY CAR. 2X WHEN I'VE BEEN PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD START BLARING FOR NO REASON. ALL THESE INCIDENTS H…

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KEYLESS ACCESS SYSTEM HAS ISSUES. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CAR UNLOCKED AND / OR WITH THE REAR HATCH DOOR APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY OPEN. I'VE NOTICED ALSO THAT SOMETIMES OTHER PERSON FOB INTERFERING WITH MY CAR. 2X WHEN I'VE BEEN PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD START BLARING FOR NO REASON. ALL THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITH THE CAR PARKED AND ENGINE OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11317446

16,500 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AND THE CRACKS ARE SPREADING.

NHTSA ODI #11310994

15,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other

CRACKED WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ODI #11310987

31,500 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT 4 INCHES TOWARD CENTER. I ACTUALLY WITNESSED THE CRACK SUDDENLY APPEAR WHILE HEARING A CRACKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME; I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A SMOOTH STRETCH OF HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11310901

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