IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE SRS OCCUPANCY DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOW OFF EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE WAS STILL IN THAT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON EVERY DRIVE WE TAKE IN THE CAR THAT LASTS MORE THEN 25 MINUTES.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARD EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ON WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF AND I LOCK THE CAR , BOTH KEYLESS REMOTES STOP WORKING WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER. TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS CAR NEED TO USE THE MANUAL KEY, ALARM HORN GOES OFF AND THEN PUSH THE ENGINE START BUTTON AND ALL SEEMS TO WORK FINE AGAIN. HAS HA…
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WHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARD EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ON WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF AND I LOCK THE CAR , BOTH KEYLESS REMOTES STOP WORKING WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER. TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS CAR NEED TO USE THE MANUAL KEY, ALARM HORN GOES OFF AND THEN PUSH THE ENGINE START BUTTON AND ALL SEEMS TO WORK FINE AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS WAS NOT DAMAGED PREVIOUSLY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GLASS WAS DEFECTIVE OR THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE THICKNESS OF THE GLASS/CAR STRUCTURAL STRESS.
TRADED IN A 2016 FOR A 2018 .THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING , PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE CAR WILL SWAY OR VEER TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. IT FEELS TO ME AS IF A GUST OF WIND HAS PUSHED THE CAR AND I HAVE TO ADJUST THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND DESCRIBES IT AS …
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TRADED IN A 2016 FOR A 2018 .THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WHILE DRIVING , PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. THE CAR WILL SWAY OR VEER TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. IT FEELS TO ME AS IF A GUST OF WIND HAS PUSHED THE CAR AND I HAVE TO ADJUST THE STEERING. MY HUSBAND DESCRIBES IT AS IF THE CAR IS HYDROPLANING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CAR HAS AT THIS TIME APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT FAILED TO PROVIDE AN ALERT OF THE VEHICLE APPROACHING ON THE STREET, COLLISION FOLLOWED. SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO OF THE ACCIDENT IS AVAILABLE HOWEVER SIZE EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM SPECIFIED FOR THE UPLOAD.
DRIVING OUR NEW 2018 OUTBACK WE EXPERIENCE PERIODIC STEERING IRREGULARITIES THAT ARE FLAT SCARY. ESPECIALLY AT 65MPS AND ABOVE THE CAR SEEMS TO SELF CORRECT .BY EXAMPLE A LANE CHANGE THE CAR STARTS TO 'FLOAT" AND OVER COMPENSATES ON DIRECTIONAL CHANGE. TROUBLING ALSO IS THE EXPERIENCE OF STABILITY AT TIMES AS IF DRIVING IN HIG…
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DRIVING OUR NEW 2018 OUTBACK WE EXPERIENCE PERIODIC STEERING IRREGULARITIES THAT ARE FLAT SCARY. ESPECIALLY AT 65MPS AND ABOVE THE CAR SEEMS TO SELF CORRECT .BY EXAMPLE A LANE CHANGE THE CAR STARTS TO 'FLOAT" AND OVER COMPENSATES ON DIRECTIONAL CHANGE. TROUBLING ALSO IS THE EXPERIENCE OF STABILITY AT TIMES AS IF DRIVING IN HIGH WINDS-WHEN THERE IS NO WIND. WHEN WE TURN "OFF" DRIVING ASSISTANCE LANE SYSTEM-STILL SAME PROBLEMS. WHEELS SEEM TO HAVE A 'MIND OF THEIR OWN" AND WERE NOT ALWAYS IN CONTROL. TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP- THERE SERVICE PERSON SAID THEY HAD ALSO HAD THE EXPERIENCE(S)..BUT WE JUST NEED TO GET USE TO. NOT ACCEPTABLE!
TIRE TREAD BEGAN SEPARATING FROM SIDEWALL WITHIN 1100 MILES. THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P 225/60 R18. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A A SUBARU DEALER ON 03/24/2018 WITH THIS TIRE INSTALLED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN RETURNING TO MY CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED.
REAR TAIL GATE OPENS WITHOUT ACTIVATION AT 35 MPH WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT IT IS TOO BIG TO SEND. MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER JUST PURCHASING FLOWERS AND PLANTS AT A LOCAL NURSERY WHEN THE TAILGATE JUST STARTED TO OPEN ALL BY ITSELF SPILLING SOME OF THE PLANTS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TAILGATE L…
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REAR TAIL GATE OPENS WITHOUT ACTIVATION AT 35 MPH WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT IT IS TOO BIG TO SEND. MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER JUST PURCHASING FLOWERS AND PLANTS AT A LOCAL NURSERY WHEN THE TAILGATE JUST STARTED TO OPEN ALL BY ITSELF SPILLING SOME OF THE PLANTS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TAILGATE LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AT ABOUT TWO FEET IN THE OPEN POSITION.
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS IN MY FIELD OF VIEW! I AM ONLY 5'4" AND I LIKE TO RAISE MY SEAT ALL THE WAY UP TO GIVE ME GOOD VISIBILITY. IF I DO THAT , THE REAR VIEW MIRROR GETS IN MY WAY, I HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO LOOK UNDER THE MIRROR!! ONE OTHER THING, IF I DO RAISE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY UP, I HAVE NO "ARMREST" THE ARMREST CAN NOT BE R…
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THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS IN MY FIELD OF VIEW! I AM ONLY 5'4" AND I LIKE TO RAISE MY SEAT ALL THE WAY UP TO GIVE ME GOOD VISIBILITY. IF I DO THAT , THE REAR VIEW MIRROR GETS IN MY WAY, I HAVE TO DUCK DOWN TO LOOK UNDER THE MIRROR!! ONE OTHER THING, IF I DO RAISE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY UP, I HAVE NO "ARMREST" THE ARMREST CAN NOT BE RAISED, SO THAT TOO MAKES ME LOWER MY SEAT!! THE MIRROR IS TOO LOW AND SO ARE THE ARMRESTS!!!!! HUGE BLIND SPOT!!!!
SUBARU BETTER TAKE NOTICE ON THIS STEERING ISSUE! IT IS A DANGER!!! WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE WALKING ON THE ROAD AND YOU NEED TO SWING A LITTLE WIDER AROUND THEM, THE LANE KEEP PUSHES YOU TOWARDS THE PEDESTRIAN!!! IN ADDITION TO THIS, WHEN DRIVING AT 55 AND ABOVE, IT CONSTANTLY FEELS AS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING YOU AROUND! THERE IS NO…
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SUBARU BETTER TAKE NOTICE ON THIS STEERING ISSUE! IT IS A DANGER!!! WHEN PEDESTRIANS ARE WALKING ON THE ROAD AND YOU NEED TO SWING A LITTLE WIDER AROUND THEM, THE LANE KEEP PUSHES YOU TOWARDS THE PEDESTRIAN!!! IN ADDITION TO THIS, WHEN DRIVING AT 55 AND ABOVE, IT CONSTANTLY FEELS AS IF THE WIND IS BLOWING YOU AROUND! THERE IS NO WIND! THIS IS A DANGER AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES NOW, THAT I HAVE ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD!!! SHOULD I TURN OFF MY LANE KEEP ASSIST TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING!?!? I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 WEEKS, AND SO FAR I FEEL LIKE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE GETTING THIS CAR!!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THIS IS MY 4TH SUBARU. I AM LOYAL TO THE BRAND. IF I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER!! OR I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A LOWER MODEL. I HAVE THE 2018 LIMITED OUTBACK. I MY OPINION BUYER BEWARE!! OR GET A LOWER MODEL WITHOUT THESE OPTIONS!!!!
Official recalls
321V587000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.