← New search

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
300 miles · Nov 6, 2018
SuspensionWheels

DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL/SUSPENSION IS MAKING RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE NOISE IS WORSE WHEN HITTING UNEVEN SURFACES ON THE ROAD (LIKE A REPAIR SPOT OR TRANSITION FROM CONCRETE TO ASPHALT) . THE FRONT-END SOUNDS LOOSE, AND THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR INTO…

Read full complaint

DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL/SUSPENSION IS MAKING RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE NOISE IS WORSE WHEN HITTING UNEVEN SURFACES ON THE ROAD (LIKE A REPAIR SPOT OR TRANSITION FROM CONCRETE TO ASPHALT) . THE FRONT-END SOUNDS LOOSE, AND THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR INTO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY SAY ALL IS OK AND THE NOISE IS AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11149643

12,285 miles · Nov 2, 2018
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND THE BACK-UP CAMERA DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (STEVE MOYER SUBARU, 201 S CENTRE AVE, LEESPORT, PA 19533, (888) 696-0345) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND THE BACK-UP CAMERA DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (STEVE MOYER SUBARU, 201 S CENTRE AVE, LEESPORT, PA 19533, (888) 696-0345) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED THE ELECTRONIC AND SAFETY SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS OCCURRING WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPONENT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED AND THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WERE REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,285. *TT *TR*JB

NHTSA ODI #11145005

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…

Read full complaint

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

13,000 miles · Oct 9, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

** 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 ?

NHTSA ODI #11139365

4,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

NUMBER OF MILES SHOWED 40 UNTIL GAS WAS NEEDED- 8 MILES LATER WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS ON MAJOR HIGHWAY- CONTACTED SUBARU SERVICE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS, HE SAID YES-- HE ACTUALLY SAID THE SAME EXACT SCENARIO-- WHERE SAID 40, AND APPROX. 8 MILES LATER COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS- HE T…

Read full complaint

NUMBER OF MILES SHOWED 40 UNTIL GAS WAS NEEDED- 8 MILES LATER WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS ON MAJOR HIGHWAY- CONTACTED SUBARU SERVICE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS, HE SAID YES-- HE ACTUALLY SAID THE SAME EXACT SCENARIO-- WHERE SAID 40, AND APPROX. 8 MILES LATER COMPLETELY OUT OF GAS- HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD FUEL ENGINEERS LOOK AT THE CAR THAT WAS BROUGHT IN AND SAID THE ONLY WAY TO GET GOOD INFORMATION IS TO RE-SET TRIP A AND RE-SET TRIP B AFTER YOU FILL YOUR TANK-- SO IT CAN CALIBRATE. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE- THEY SHOULD COMMUNICATE THIS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS TO AVOID THIS HUGE SAFETY RISK. POLICE WERE CALLED TO US BROKEN DOWN ON FREEWAY TO ALERT TRAFFIC WE WERE SITTING ON SHOULDER- VERY UNSAFE AREA TO "RUN OUT OF GAS"- SUBARU SHOULD GET THIS GLITCH FIXED-- AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, COMMUNICATE TO PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED SUBARU AMERICA TO LET THEM KNOW AND I HAVE OPENED A CASE. THEY WILL CALL ME BACK NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, OCT 10TH, 2018 WITH AN UPDATE. I ALSO WANTED THIS TO BE BROUGHT TO NTSB ATTENTION SINCE SUBARU SOUNDED LIKE THEY KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT DIDN'T EVEN TELL US WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR. CAR HAS ROUGHLY 4K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11139010

2,000 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MCCURLEY INTEGRITY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 9620 SANDIFUR PKWY, PASCO, WA 99301, (509) 412-7100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MCCURLEY INTEGRITY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 9620 SANDIFUR PKWY, PASCO, WA 99301, (509) 412-7100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED 20 MILES TO EMPTY, THE FUEL TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS WORKING ON A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11133530

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 …

Read full complaint

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

8,000 miles · Oct 2, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER USING 'X-MODE' THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ENGAGING THE GAS PEDAL. IT CONTINUED EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, AND IT AGAIN ACCELERATED FROM 0-40 MPH BEFORE IT STARTED TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #11132938

3,800 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11132656

10,300 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO AN OPEN LANE AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ALLSTATE INSURA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO AN OPEN LANE AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ALLSTATE INSURANCE TO AN OPEN LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,300. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE CAR. UPDATED 11/21/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11131816

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