Worst 2018 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Wipers & Visibility
Fuel System
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Subaru Outback.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 253 | 2 | 3 | 19,766 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 233 | 1 | — | 23,115 mi | |
| Fuel System | 42 | 2 | — | 8,598 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 36 | — | — | 36,643 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 34 | 1 | 1 | 9,874 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 34 | 1 | — | 6,481 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 21 | 7 | — | 15,821 mi | |
| Brakes | 16 | 5 | — | 15,036 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | — | 16,784 mi | |
| Body Structure | 13 | — | — | 16,902 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 10 | 5 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | — | 1 | 10,360 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 5 | — | 8,181 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | 1 | 31,251 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | — | — | 21,899 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | — | — | 11,058 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 7 | — | — | 12,285 mi | |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Fuel Gauge | 6 | — | — | 5,104 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 | — | — | 17,400 mi | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 5 | 2 | — | 27,617 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2018 Subaru Outback
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~475,806 vehicles.
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.
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."
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 Outback Years
2018 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
What are common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Subaru Outback?
How safe is the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Outback?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2018 Subaru Outback
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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