MYRModel Year Report

2018 Subaru Outback

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2018 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
813
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2018: 813 complaints 2018 813 2019: 1,034 complaints 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2026: 16 complaints
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2001 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2005 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2013 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2018: 813 complaints 2018 813 2019: 1,034 complaints 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2021 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2025 2026: 16 complaints
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2001 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2005 2006: 277 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 652 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 297 complaints 2013 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 918 complaints 2018: 813 complaints 2018 813 2019: 1,034 complaints 2020: 899 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2021 2022: 465 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 103 complaints 2025: 81 complaints 2025 2026: 16 complaints

2018: 813 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006277
2007129
2008226
2009106
2010360
2011652
2012292
2013297
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017918
2018813
20191,034
2020899
2021296
2022465
202389
2024103
202581
202616

Known problem areas

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

Electrical system

33% · 269 reports

Most commonly citing fuel gauge and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

2018 Subaru Outback Infotainment center glass delamination causing the system to come on by itself start malfunctioning switching between channels or apps and potentially startle / distract the driver. Incident has been ongoing for over 8 months..

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-15

Visibility/wiper

29% · 234 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Drivers side view mirror does not adjust fair enough to see my blind spot well. This is a common problem. I've read countless forums on popular Subaru forum websites. This is a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-08-20

Fuel/propulsion system

5% · 43 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While pulling into a parking spot with my foot on the brake and preparing to stop, the car continued to move up over the curb and then began to accelerate even after I applied both of my feet pushing down on the brakes until I hit our condo...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-06

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance and service brakes

Visibility

5% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and exterior.

Engine

5% · 37 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The car started to make very loud engine noises and then the engine completely failed. The car was no longer able to accelerate and lost the ability to go in both forward and reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-11

Engine cam carrier seals are leaking. Repair cost is $5,700 plus tax.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

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 813 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 Outback — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 269 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 234 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 43 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 Outback reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Subaru Outback is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.