2018 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 57 engine complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback, 7% of its 811 total complaints for the year. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, stalling, and one engine fire, with a median failure mileage of 8,000. No related recall is listed for this issue.
- Engine complaints
- 57
- 7% of 811
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 8,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or coming to a stop, with foot on the brake, resulting in collisions with curbs, walls, or garages.
- Some report the engine losing power or stalling while driving, requiring the vehicle to be pulled off the road and restarted.
- One owner reported an engine fire that destroyed the vehicle shortly after a loss of power and warning lights.
- Others describe a lag or decoupling between throttle input and acceleration response, especially from a stop or at slower speeds.
- A few owners noted coolant or transmission fluid leaks discovered shortly after purchase, requiring dealer inspection.
- One owner reported the engine failing to accelerate from a stop with no warning light, with the issue recurring despite dealer inspection.
When 2018 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 27, 2018, latest Sep 11, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2018 Subaru Outback
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?
- NHTSA lists 57 engine complaints for the 2018 Outback, which is 7% of the 811 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Subaru Outback engine?
- No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints on the 2018 Outback.
- What is the most common engine problem reported on the 2018 Outback?
- The most frequently described pattern is sudden unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers like parking, often with the driver's foot on the brake.
- At what mileage do 2018 Outback engine problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2018 Outback is 8,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to engine complaints?
- NHTSA data shows 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the 57 engine complaints for the 2018 Outback.