2018 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Subaru Outback has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 811 complaints, 3 recalls, and top issues in Visibility & Wipers (272 complaints, 34%) and Electrical System (270 complaints, 33%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 811
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2018 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers272 (34%)
- Electrical System270 (33%)
- Other163 (20%)
- Engine57 (7%)
- Fuel System46 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras35 (4%)
- Steering35 (4%)
- Structure & Body24 (3%)
- Brakes21 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
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 unexpected brake pedal failure, including one case where the pedal went to the floor while reversing and the vehicle overturned.
- Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration or throttle response that felt decoupled from pedal input, leading to collisions.
- Electrical shorts have been reported in components like the side mirror approach light module, producing smoke and burn marks.
- Engine warning lights and power loss preceded at least one under-hood fire reported by an owner.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crash situations despite significant impact force.
- Windshield cracking without any impact or chip has also been reported.
2018 Subaru Outback 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 Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,625
- 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 Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Outback a complaint index of 85, the 4th worst of 21 model years for this model, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Outback years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
- Visibility & Wipers issues account for 272 complaints (34% share) and Electrical System issues account for 270 complaints (33% share), according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Outback covering the fuel system, a software issue affecting the audio display and rear camera, and a low fuel warning light software error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Outback compare to other years?
- The 2018 Outback's complaint index of 85 is close to 2017 (90) and 2019 (95), which are also rated Avoid, while years like 2023 (25) and 2024 (45) are rated Good.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Subaru Outback?
- EPA rates the 2018 Outback at 25 mpg combined (22.5 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,625.