Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
3130–25K
13625–50K
2850–75K
875–100K
2100–150K
1150K+
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
680 miles · Sep 25, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES OR MERGE LANES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY FEATU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES OR MERGE LANES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY FEATURE CALLED EYESIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROMANO SUBARU (960 HIAWATHA BLVD W., SYRACUSE, NY 13204), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 680.
NHTSA ODI #11131484
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2018
Visibility/wiper
REAR VIEW MIRROR TOO TIGHTLY ATTACHED TO FRONT WINDOW. EPOXY ATTACHING WINDOW GOT HOT IN SUN AND CRACKED ENTIRE WINDOW AND FELL OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11128498
7,000 miles · Sep 3, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
MY GAS LIGHT WENT ON AND THE MONITOR SAID I HAD 60 MILES LEFT. WITHIN A COUPLE BLOCKS IT WENT TO 50 THEN 40 THEN 20 AND WAS OUT OF GAS. IT STILL SAID I HAD 20 MILES LEFT WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A ROAD AND COMPLETELY WOULDN'T START. I WAS JUST GOING STRAIGHT ON A CITY ROAD. PEOPLE WERE HONKING AT ME AND I WAS SCARED …
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MY GAS LIGHT WENT ON AND THE MONITOR SAID I HAD 60 MILES LEFT. WITHIN A COUPLE BLOCKS IT WENT TO 50 THEN 40 THEN 20 AND WAS OUT OF GAS. IT STILL SAID I HAD 20 MILES LEFT WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE LEFT LANE OF A ROAD AND COMPLETELY WOULDN'T START. I WAS JUST GOING STRAIGHT ON A CITY ROAD. PEOPLE WERE HONKING AT ME AND I WAS SCARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. THEN SOME PEOPLE HELPED ME GET IT ACROSS THE 2 LANES AND ONTO THE SIDE. I LOCKED IT AND WENT FOR GAS. WHEN I CAME BACK. THE CAR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEYLESS ENTERY. I HAD TO TAKE OUT THE HIDDEN KEY AND OPEN IT. AND THEN WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT. IT STARTED NO PROBLEM. I WENT TO FILL UP AND IT FILLED UP AT 17 GALLONS. SO IT STILL HAD MORE THEN 2 GALLONS WHEN IT RAN OUT. I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU, THEY LOOKED IT OVER FOR A FEW DAYS. CALLED THERE SPECIALISTS BUT SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND I SHOULD JUST TRY TO KEEP THE GAS TANK AT FULL AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I FEEL FOR A 2018 NEW CAR THIS IS SCARY.
NHTSA ODI #11124178
10 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN STATES SUBARU OF RALEIGH (2511 WAKE FOREST RD, RALEIGH, NC 27609, 888-439-5154), BUT THE TECHN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN STATES SUBARU OF RALEIGH (2511 WAKE FOREST RD, RALEIGH, NC 27609, 888-439-5154), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A SPECIALIST TO ASSIST THE DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10.
NHTSA ODI #11123271
1,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Structure
THE PASSENGER SIDE HOOD DOES NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY. A SERVICE BULLETIN CAME OUT BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE FIX BECAUSE IT INVOLVES USING A 2X4 TO BEND THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI #11122971
12,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Exterior Lighting
THE AUTO SENSING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF ON SOME OCCASIONS EVEN WHEN IT IS 9AM AND SUNNY. PULLING THE CAR OVER AND TURNING OFF THE CAR AND BACK ON WILL FIX THE ISSUE UNTIL NEXT TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11122970
11,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Electrical System
THE RADIO HEAD UNIT WILL RANDOMLY NOT CONNECT TO APPLE CAR PLAY. IT WILL ALSO GET STUCK ON A FM RADIO STATION AND NOT RESPOND TO ANYTHING UNTIL THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VOLUME OR ANYTHING. I HAVE BEEN FOR SOFTWARE UPDATES.
NHTSA ODI #11122969
1,050 miles · Aug 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
RAN OUT OF GAS WITH 12 MILES REMAINING ON INDICATOR. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD WE BEEN ON THE ROAD DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED US TO STOP WHILE IN MOTION. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE AT THE SUBARU DEALER WHEN IT HAPPENED TO OUR BRAND NEW SUV. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL CLUSTER THAT CALIBRA…
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RAN OUT OF GAS WITH 12 MILES REMAINING ON INDICATOR. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD WE BEEN ON THE ROAD DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED US TO STOP WHILE IN MOTION. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE AT THE SUBARU DEALER WHEN IT HAPPENED TO OUR BRAND NEW SUV. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL CLUSTER THAT CALIBRATES THE AMOUNT OF MILES ONE HAS REMAINING. WE WERE TOLD THAT SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS MANUFACTURING/ REPLACING THE PART IF THEY ARE NOTIFIED THAT A PARTICULAR CAR HAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WILL BE A MONTH BEFORE THE NEW PART IS SHIPPED TO OUR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. UNFORTUNATELY, SUBARU HAS NOT NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND WE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11122377
14,410 miles · Aug 24, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
VEHICLE DEVELOPED DRIP FROM TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY MID JUNE 2018. TOOK TO DEALER & UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE AFTER 11 DAYS IN SHOP. THEY PUT DYE IN AND I DROVE UNTIL 7-30-18 WHEN DRIP RETURNED. CAR IN SHOP 6 DAYS FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR RETURNED 8-9-18. 11 DAYS LATER 8-21-18 MAJOR OIL LEAK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF …
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VEHICLE DEVELOPED DRIP FROM TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY MID JUNE 2018. TOOK TO DEALER & UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE AFTER 11 DAYS IN SHOP. THEY PUT DYE IN AND I DROVE UNTIL 7-30-18 WHEN DRIP RETURNED. CAR IN SHOP 6 DAYS FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR RETURNED 8-9-18. 11 DAYS LATER 8-21-18 MAJOR OIL LEAK & VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF 8-24-18 THEY ARE STILL ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE LEAK. WILL HAVE TO PULL ENGINE. MAY NOT GET CAR BACK DURING AUGUST. OUTBACK HAS LESS THAN 15000 MILES. HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU REQUESTED LEMON LAW AS THE VEHICLE HAS NEARLY 40 CUMULATIVE DAYS IN THE SHOP SINCE PURCHASED 8-16-18. OUTBACK HAS ALSO HAD 2 NEW RADIOS AND MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES FOR NUMEROUS RADIO ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11122165
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗