2018 Subaru Legacy Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Subaru Legacy has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Its 117 complaints center on the electrical system (34%) and visibility/wipers (27%), with 3 recalls affecting fuel system, display software, and fuel gauge readings.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Legacy years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 117
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2018 Subaru Legacy problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System40 (34%)
- Visibility & Wipers32 (27%)
- Other31 (26%)
- Engine13 (11%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Brakes7 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (4%)
- Lane Departure4 (3%)
- Steering4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or deceleration, sometimes leading to collisions with poles, parked cars, or vehicles ahead.
- Some describe the collision avoidance system activating on its own, causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly and hit curbs.
- A driver-side rear view mirror produced smoke and fire flames shortly after starting the car, which owners link to internal wiring problems.
- Airbags have deployed without an apparent collision, in one case obstructing the driver's view before hitting an object.
- A persistent loud metallic rattling noise between 25 and 45 mph was reported that dealers attempted to fix multiple times without success.
- One owner found seat belt and airbag warning lights appearing within the first 70 miles of ownership.
2018 Subaru Legacy recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V935000Dec 31, 2018Visibility & Wipers71,190 vehicles
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V773000Nov 1, 2018Electrical System228,648 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2018 Subaru Legacy fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,525
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Subaru Legacy reliable?
- It has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst among 21 Legacy model years, giving it a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
- NHTSA data shows electrical system issues make up 34% of complaints and visibility/wiper issues make up 27%, followed by engine complaints at 11%.
- Does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a low-pressure fuel pump replacement, an audio display software issue, and a combination meter software error affecting the low fuel warning light.
- How does the 2018 Legacy compare to other Legacy years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 60 is lower than the worst years like 2015 (100) and 2010 (95), but higher than newer years like 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which earn Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
- EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined, 22.5 mpg city, and 31 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,525.