2018 Subaru Legacy Electrical System Problems
Electrical System complaints account for 40 of 117 total complaints (34%) filed on the 2018 Subaru Legacy, with a median failure mileage of 16,745 miles. A related recall, campaign 18V773000, covers a fuel gauge software error tied to some of these reports.
- Electrical System complaints
- 40
- 34% of 117
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 16,745 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Fuel gauge and low-fuel warning system misreport remaining range, with owners describing the gauge dropping suddenly or running out of gas despite an indicated 30 miles left.
- Keyless entry and remote key system fails, locking owners out or deactivating the key so the car cannot start or be unlocked.
- Instrument cluster and infotainment screen go dark or blank while the vehicle is running, sometimes accompanied by the engine stalling or refusing to restart.
- Dashboard warning lights (check engine, battery, oil, eyesight) illuminate together in connection with a stored error code, prompting owners to turn back rather than continue driving.
- Factory battery fails prematurely, sometimes before three years or 50,000 miles, requiring replacement.
- One report describes smoke and fire coming from the driver-side rear view mirror area, which the owner linked to interior wiring issues.
When 2018 Subaru Legacy electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 8, 2018, latest Jul 8, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2018 Subaru Legacy
- 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.
Electrical System complaints by Legacy model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many 2018 Subaru Legacy owners complained about electrical problems?
- NHTSA lists 40 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Subaru Legacy, which is 34% of the 117 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Subaru Legacy electrical system?
- Yes. Recall campaign 18V773000, reported November 1, 2018, covers a software error where the low fuel warning light and miles-to-empty display may not activate correctly. Subaru dealers reprogram the combination meter software free of charge.
- At what mileage do 2018 Legacy electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2018 Legacy is 16,745 miles.
- Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 1 fire reported among the 40 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Legacy, with 0 injuries.
- How does the 2018 Legacy compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2018 Legacy's 34% share of complaints tied to the Electrical System is higher than most other model years, including 2017 (25%), 2019 (28%), and 2020 (13%), though below 2016 (35%) and 2024 (41%).