MYRModel Year Report

2018 Subaru Outback

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2018 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 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: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 359 complaints 2011: 649 complaints 2011 2012: 290 complaints 2013: 295 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 505 complaints 2015 2016: 639 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 803 complaints 2018 2019: 1029 complaints 2019 2020: 890 complaints 2021: 291 complaints 2022: 453 complaints 2023: 85 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 65 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2018: 803 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009105
2010359
2011649
2012290
2013295
2014208
2015505
2016639
2017917
2018803
20191029
2020890
2021291
2022453
202385
202489
202565
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32%

32% of complaints: electrical system — 256 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
VISIBILITY/WIPER 29%

29% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 233 distinct reports on file.

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, 20170820

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20231106

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 36 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2018 — complaint volume: 803
R 20190205 — visibility

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.

Campaign 18V935000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190220 — electrical system, fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 18V773000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210924 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 21V587000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (256 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (233 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 18V935000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V773000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V587000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

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 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.