Subaru · Outback · 2018
2018 Subaru Outback
3
Recalls
791
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 3 recalls and 791 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (210 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Subaru Outback page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 210 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2018 Subaru Outback reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Subaru Outback currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 791 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (210), electrical system (194), unknown or other (93).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Subaru Outback
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 791
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
17.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V587000July 29, 2021
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 18V935000December 31, 2018
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."
Remedy Status
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 ID: 18V773000November 01, 2018
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
791 totalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle, the brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. While returning to the vehicle after the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle fa...
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BACK OVER PREVENTION
Apr 1, 2026
Our Subaru backup camera screen is suffering from a factory defect delamination issue which has caused the screen to become hazy and difficult to see. In daylight, the screen is often completely obscured by the defect. Subaru issued a warranty extension from 2020 to 2023 due to c...
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STRUCTURE
Mar 12, 2026
OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT AS THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65-70 FULL OF CARS AND TRUCKS ON I-95 NORTH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST A LARGE EXPLOSION AND SHATTERED GLASS. LUCKILY OUR SUNSHADE WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS WAS CONTAINED. IT WAS RAINING ...
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LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Mar 11, 2026
Hood flew open at 70 mph on smooth highway. Visibility was restricted to narrow field below open hood and front windshield was cracked through force of impact of hood on front windshield.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 25, 2026
This my [XXX] mother's car, she would have panicked had she witnessed this incident. Upon starting vehicle in morning after cleaning off light dusting of snow, the driver's side mirror started to smoke for almost a minute with an electrical and plastic burn smell. I was able to ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 20, 2026
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Outback has developed severe screen delamination and now generates persistent “ghost touch” inputs. The screen registers touches without any driver interaction. While the vehicle is in motion, the system frequently activates functio...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIREJan 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when driving approximately 30- 40 MPH, veering off the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power, but had immediately regained power. The failure had occurred 3 - 4 times total. The last time it occurred, the vehicle ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 8, 2026
the Infotainment system is malfunctioning. the screen is delaminating and pressing ghost buttons, flickering between screens or not functioning at all and I am unable to press any buttons on the screen. safety: when making calls hands free with the system, it will mute calls, e...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 13, 2025
While driving my 2018 Subaru Outback on the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously shattered without warning. At the time of the incident, there were no nearby vehicles, road debris, or external factors that could explain the failure. This appears to be a dangerous and unexpected def...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 1, 2025
The STARLINK touchscreen display on my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced progressive delamination — a separation of the screen's protective layer from the display panel — resulting in large, spreading opaque blotches that obscure significant portions of the screen. This is a kn...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 791 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Outback Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has received 791 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Subaru Outback?
The 2018 Subaru Outback received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Subaru Outback are visibility/wiper (210 reports), electrical system (194 reports), unknown or other (93 reports).
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.