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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

811 reports
12,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Electrical System

CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2018. PERIDICALLY OVER THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THE BATTERY WOULD DIE AND THE CAR WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP TO START. SINCE THE ONSET OF THE COVID PANDEMIC - WITH THE CAR LEFT UNUSED (IN A GARAGE) FOR MORE EXTENDED PERIODS - THE BATTERY DIES FREQUENTLY, EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP TO START. NOW, IF TH…

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CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2018. PERIDICALLY OVER THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THE BATTERY WOULD DIE AND THE CAR WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP TO START. SINCE THE ONSET OF THE COVID PANDEMIC - WITH THE CAR LEFT UNUSED (IN A GARAGE) FOR MORE EXTENDED PERIODS - THE BATTERY DIES FREQUENTLY, EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP TO START. NOW, IF THE CAR IS NOT STARTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 1-2 DAYS THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11396343

54,000 miles · Feb 14, 2021
Electrical System

I STARTED MY CAR WHEN I WAS 0 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT STARTED BUT AFTER DRIVING 15 MINUTES I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND THE BATTERY WAS NEARLY DEAD. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN LIMP MODE. THIS IS THE 2ND BATTERY IN MY 2018 SUBARU AND THE CAR IS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 54,000 MILES. THE BATTERY IN THESE CARS A…

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I STARTED MY CAR WHEN I WAS 0 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT STARTED BUT AFTER DRIVING 15 MINUTES I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND THE BATTERY WAS NEARLY DEAD. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN LIMP MODE. THIS IS THE 2ND BATTERY IN MY 2018 SUBARU AND THE CAR IS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 54,000 MILES. THE BATTERY IN THESE CARS ARE KNOW TO DIE QUICKLY AND SUBARU WON'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11396171

41,950 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT OR COLD DAY. SHE HEARD A CRACKING SOUND, WHEN SHE STOPPED SHE NOTICED A 3 INCH CRACK IN HER WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. OVER THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK GREW AND GREW IN SEVERAL D…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT OR COLD DAY. SHE HEARD A CRACKING SOUND, WHEN SHE STOPPED SHE NOTICED A 3 INCH CRACK IN HER WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY UP THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. OVER THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK GREW AND GREW IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS. MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON JAN 21, 2021 AND ASKED THEM ABOUT REPLACEMENT AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY DID NOT REPLACE WINDSHIELDS. IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE COST WAS $1279.83.

NHTSA ODI #11395315

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, HE BECAME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WAS ALSO CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN RETURNED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY THE PLASTIC TRIM USED FOR THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE AFTER LEARNING THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM WAS ABLE TO CRACK THE WINDSHIELD. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11395227

37,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK CONTINUED TO EXPAND. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK CONTINUED TO EXPAND. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #11395138

60,000 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Electrical System

AFTER JUST UNDER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE BATTERY WAS A BIT WEAK WHEN STARTING. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE, I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR IT'S 60K MILE CHECK UP. HE FOUND THE BATTERY WAS WEAK AND REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN, I AN STILL HAVING THE LOW BATTERY ISSUE. IF I DO NOT START TH…

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AFTER JUST UNDER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE BATTERY WAS A BIT WEAK WHEN STARTING. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE, I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR IT'S 60K MILE CHECK UP. HE FOUND THE BATTERY WAS WEAK AND REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN, I AN STILL HAVING THE LOW BATTERY ISSUE. IF I DO NOT START THE VEHICLE IN 2.5 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS TOO WEEK TO PERFORM.

NHTSA ODI #11394734

26,000 miles · Feb 3, 2021
Visibility/wiper

CRACK APPEARED IN RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD FOR NO REASON AS OUTBACK HAD BEEN SITTING PARKED THE DRIVEWAY FOR 5 DAYS. IT IS ABOUT 6' LONG FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THEN TURNS RIGHT OR DOWNWARD ABOUT 3'.

NHTSA ODI #11394477

39,000 miles · Feb 2, 2021
Structure

MOONROOF EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI #11394384

41,700 miles · Jan 28, 2021
Visibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ROAD DEBRIS, NOR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT/CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CRUISING ON A WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD FREE OF DEBRIS AND POTHOLES. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR AROUND MY VEHICLE. SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU CARS, AND SEEMS…

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MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ROAD DEBRIS, NOR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT/CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CRUISING ON A WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD FREE OF DEBRIS AND POTHOLES. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR AROUND MY VEHICLE. SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU CARS, AND SEEMS THAT THERE ARE OUT THERE INITIATIVES FOR A LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU.

NHTSA ODI #11390475

27,000 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control

I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND FELT THE CAR ACCELERATE WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK, I QUICKLY RELEASED THE PEDAL BEFORE REAPPLYING PRESSURE AND IT SELF CORRECTED LUCKY JUST BEFORE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT I ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT, THIS TIME I WAS 100% SURE IT …

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I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND FELT THE CAR ACCELERATE WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK, I QUICKLY RELEASED THE PEDAL BEFORE REAPPLYING PRESSURE AND IT SELF CORRECTED LUCKY JUST BEFORE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE BUT I ERRONEOUSLY BELIEVED THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT, THIS TIME I WAS 100% SURE IT WAS MY BRAKES. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH BEING ABLE PRESS DOWN ON MY BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO IT BECOMING VERY STIFF. I WAS SO WORRIED I DECIDE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD AND IT WAS NOT JUST ME.

NHTSA ODI #11390427

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