2018 Subaru Outback recalls and problems

The 2018 Subaru Outback has 3 recalls and 816 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is visibility.

How the 2018 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 27 Outback model years — 4th most.

3recalls

816complaints

27crashes

4fires

19injuries

16,927median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Fuel System

Jul 29, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Visibility

Dec 31, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V935000 · 71,190 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Nov 1, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V773000 · 228,648 vehicles

Problem: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Visibility273

Electrical System267

Unknown or other162

Fuel System46

Engine37

Steering36

Vehicle Speed Control21

Back Over Prevention19

Forward Collision Avoidance18

Service Brakes18

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2018 vs. other Subaru Outback years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2018. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2018 Subaru Outback, the latest from Jul 29, 2021 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention visibility (273), electrical system (267), unknown or other (162). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.