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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

Visibility complaints

41 reports
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1,500 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ALBANY SUBARU LOCATED AT 718 SAN PABLO AVE, ALBANY, CA 94706, (510) 528-1244, WHERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ALBANY SUBARU LOCATED AT 718 SAN PABLO AVE, ALBANY, CA 94706, (510) 528-1244, WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.

NHTSA ODI #11364169

10,000 miles · Jul 16, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE SUBARU (438 S INGRAM MILL RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802, (417) 720-8373) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE SUBARU (438 S INGRAM MILL RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802, (417) 720-8373) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11339792

50,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE GLASS WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES LONG AND WAS LOCATED ON THE INTERIOR SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE GLASS WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES LONG AND WAS LOCATED ON THE INTERIOR SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11337634

10,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 80. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330602

27,053 miles · Jun 3, 2020
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

MY SUBARU OUTBACK 2018 WINDSHIELD CRACKED AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO GETTING IT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE SAME THING HAPPEN AS THE PREVIOUS TIME, A VERY SMALL ROCK CAUSED A HUGE CRACK TO THE WINDSHIELD GOING AT MODERATELY SLOW SPEED ENTERING THE FREE WAY. SUBARU REPLACED THE FIRST ONE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY KNEW AN …

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MY SUBARU OUTBACK 2018 WINDSHIELD CRACKED AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO GETTING IT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE SAME THING HAPPEN AS THE PREVIOUS TIME, A VERY SMALL ROCK CAUSED A HUGE CRACK TO THE WINDSHIELD GOING AT MODERATELY SLOW SPEED ENTERING THE FREE WAY. SUBARU REPLACED THE FIRST ONE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY KNEW AN ONGOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS IN PLACE, BUT STATES THAT ANY FURTHER ISSUES WILL BE OUT OF MY POCKET. THE WINDSHIELDS THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED AS REPLACEMENTS ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES OF CRACKING VERY EASILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327104

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

5,000 miles · May 11, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 2 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS ALSO CRACKER. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WERE REPLACED WERE REPLACED BY INTERNATIONAL AUTOS ORLAND PARK (8031 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 2 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WAS ALSO CRACKER. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WERE REPLACED WERE REPLACED BY INTERNATIONAL AUTOS ORLAND PARK (8031 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60477). THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIX MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WERE AGAIN CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AFTER THE LAST FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11324160

25,000 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE CENTER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE CENTER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11280885

31,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE REFERRED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE REFERRED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #11240403

2,092 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THE DEALER (BRIGGS SUBARU OF TOPEKA, 3115 S KANSAS AVE, TOPEKA, KS 66611, (785) 581-0138) PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE RECENT FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY SAFELIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THE DEALER (BRIGGS SUBARU OF TOPEKA, 3115 S KANSAS AVE, TOPEKA, KS 66611, (785) 581-0138) PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE RECENT FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY SAFELIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,092.

NHTSA ODI #11161920

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