2018 Subaru Legacy Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Legacy.

20172019
Complaints
155
per 10K Sold
38.6
US Sales
40,109
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2018 Subaru Legacy Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#134 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:20,359 mi
Fires:1
#224 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

Avg mileage:25,935 mi
#310 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:29,210 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Subaru Legacy.

Electrical Faults
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
20,359
Wipers & Visibility
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
25,935
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
29,210
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
9,316
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
3,800
Visibility:Windshield
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,553
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Sidewall
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Subaru Legacy

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~475,806 vehicles.

21V587000Fuel Pump
~175,968 affected

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.

18V935000Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices
~71,190 affected

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."

18V773000Electrical System:software · Gasoline Fuel System
~228,648 affected

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.

Other Subaru Legacy Years

2018 Subaru Legacy — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 Subaru Legacy has 155 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 34 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (34 complaints, avg 20,359 mi); Wipers & Visibility (24 complaints, avg 25,935 mi); Engine Problems (10 complaints, avg 29,210 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 22,128 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Subaru Legacy include 14 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 475,806 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Legacy?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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