CarModelProblems.com

2018 Subaru Outback Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
804Complaints
3Recalls
27Crashes
4Fires
19Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (31.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System256 · 31.8%RecalledRecall 18V773000
Visibility/wiper233 · 29%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System43 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 21V587000
Engine36 · 4.5%No official action
Visibility:windshield36 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 18V935000
Steering34 · 4.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM256 · 31.8%
Unspecified / other156 · 19.4%
ENGINE36 · 4.5%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD36 · 4.5%
STEERING34 · 4.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21 · 2.6%
SERVICE BRAKES18 · 2.2%
POWER TRAIN14 · 1.7%

Percentages are the share of the 804 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices

NHTSA campaign 18V935000 · 2018 · reported 12/31/2018

Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:software

NHTSA campaign 18V773000 · 2018 · reported 11/01/2018

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 2021 · reported 07/29/2021

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“BLUETOOTH WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT. SOMETIMES IT LASTS A FEW MINUTES, SOMETIMES A COUPLE HOURS. UNABLE TO RE-CONNECT ONCE IT DOES, SO WE HAVE TO MESS…”NHTSA complaint 11171897 — filed 01/24/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE SCREEN HAS GONE BLACK AND SIDE LIGHTS BLINK, UNABLE TO USE ANY ITEM CONTROLLED BY THE SCREEN. APPEARS THE WARNING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 11171364 — filed 01/22/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WENT BLACK ON DECEMBER 17, 2018. RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BLUETOOTH AND REAR CAMERA ARE ALL INOPERABLE.”NHTSA complaint 11166632 — filed 01/12/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

720171122018187201918420202052021882022602023622024492025332026

Frequently asked questions

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

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 256 of 804 NHTSA complaints (31.8%), followed by visibility/wiper (233), unspecified/other issues (156), fuel/propulsion system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?

804 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V935000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Subaru Outback's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.