MYRModel Year Report

2018 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical
2018 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:12.784Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
117
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2018: 117 complaints 2018 117 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2014 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2018: 117 complaints 2018 117 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2018: 117 complaints 2018 117 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

2018: 117 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

35% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing fuel gauge and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with...

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-15

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Visibility/wiper

21% · 25 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Following an engine-out service at an authorized dealer (Bill Kolb Jr.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-27

Also filed under Power train and suspension

Engine

9% · 10 reports
CRASH

Fuel/propulsion system

7% · 8 reports
CRASH

Visibility

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and sun/moon roof assembly.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2018Complaint volume 117 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2019-02-05Visibility18V935000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-02-20Electrical system, fuel system, gasoline18V773000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2021-09-24Fuel system, gasoline21V587000 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: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 18V935000 · Visibility
  • Recall 18V773000 · Electrical system, fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V587000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2018 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.