2018 Subaru Outback: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Subaru Outback? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 791 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2018 Subaru Outback Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2018 Subaru Outback trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2018 Subaru Outback Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
17.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
17.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Subaru Outback has 791 owner complaints, 25 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Outback
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 791
- Crash-related complaints
- 25
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 28
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 32
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Subaru Outback Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Visibility/Wiper
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Visibility/Wiper, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Subaru Outback?
The 2018 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Subaru Outback
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical systems, including battery and infotainment, for known issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like wipers and fuel system.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical systems, including battery and infotainment, for known issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like wipers and fuel system.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Subaru Outback, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback are concentrated in electrical faults and visibility/wiper issues, with a notable number of uncategorized reports. Crash-related complaints are relatively low, but the overall confidence in this data is low due to the single model year analyzed.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints at 260.
- Visibility/wiper issues are the second most reported component with 233 complaints.
- Uncategorized issues total 151 complaints, indicating potential reporting ambiguity.
- Electrical faults, including battery, wiring, and infotainment system problems.
- Visibility/wiper issues, such as windshield cracking or wiper malfunction.
- Fuel/propulsion system complaints, though fewer in number.
All 2018 Subaru Outback Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 260 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 233 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 151 | 6 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 42 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 41 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 35 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 34 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 21 | 7 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 17 | 6 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 16 | 5 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 5 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Carry Handle | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Shell | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Base | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Our Subaru backup camera screen is suffering from a factory defect delamination issue which has caused the screen to become hazy and difficult to see. In daylight, the screen is often completely obscured by the defect. Subaru issued a warranty extension from 2020 to 2023 due to c…
The infotainment head unit in my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced internal adhesive delamination, resulting in frequent "ghost touches" and unpredictable system malfunctions that pose a severe safety hazard. Most critically, the backup camera display intermittently disappears …
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle, the brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. While returning to the vehicle after the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle fa…
The head unit (infotainment system) in my vehicle is experiencing delamination, where the screen is peeling, separating, or forming bubbles. This causes: •Touchscreen malfunctions, making it difficult or impossible to operate controls such as audio, climate, navigation, and backu…
My vehicle launches forward even when I do apply the break. I may be cruising, doing the speed limit, 25 mph and my car will try to accelerate to go faster.
Infotainment system is completely delaminated, and the backup camera is slow to start, if starts at all. System will go beserk, make calls, change stations, volume, navigation, and more.
OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT AS THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65-70 FULL OF CARS AND TRUCKS ON I-95 NORTH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, JUST A LARGE EXPLOSION AND SHATTERED GLASS. LUCKILY OUR SUNSHADE WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS WAS CONTAINED. IT WAS RAINING …
Subaru has a known “ghost touch” radio head unit issue that they failed to recall. My 2018 Subaru Outback has an unstable head unit that affects GPS, hands free technology, and back up camera assistance.
Hood flew open at 70 mph on smooth highway. Visibility was restricted to narrow field below open hood and front windshield was cracked through force of impact of hood on front windshield.
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Outback has developed severe screen delamination and now generates persistent “ghost touch” inputs. The screen registers touches without any driver interaction. While the vehicle is in motion, the system frequently activates functio…
This my [XXX] mother's car, she would have panicked had she witnessed this incident. Upon starting vehicle in morning after cleaning off light dusting of snow, the driver's side mirror started to smoke for almost a minute with an electrical and plastic burn smell. I was able to …
The STARLINK touchscreen display on my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced progressive delamination — a separation of the screen's protective layer from the display panel — resulting in large, spreading opaque blotches that obscure significant portions of the screen. This is a kn…
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when driving approximately 30- 40 MPH, veering off the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power, but had immediately regained power. The failure had occurred 3 - 4 times total. The last time it occurred, the vehicle …
the Infotainment system is malfunctioning. the screen is delaminating and pressing ghost buttons, flickering between screens or not functioning at all and I am unable to press any buttons on the screen. safety: when making calls hands free with the system, it will mute calls, e…
This is a Base model automobile with manual seats. The right front passenger seat unlocked without warning during a quick deceleration. The seat slid forward on mounting rails and caused the front passenger to be squished between forward motion of seat and the seat belt. L…
While driving my 2018 Subaru Outback on the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously shattered without warning. At the time of the incident, there were no nearby vehicles, road debris, or external factors that could explain the failure. This appears to be a dangerous and unexpected def…
Touch screen has delamination that causes false control of functions controlled by the touch screen. Due to delamination of the screen it can make false phone calls, change the radio station or modify system settings, causing dangerous distractions for the driver.
While the lane keeping assistance is on the car will follow the exit lane beside the lane I’m in and jerk over into it. There has been a car beside me when has happened but I caught the steering wheel before a crash. Also if a car is turning in front of me sometimes, not always,…
The head unit on the vehicle has delaminated. The touchscreen display no longer works, it has false touches. This affects navigational safety of the vehicle, as navigation no longer works. This also affects sounds of the vehicle, not being able to change volume for ADAS alerts. …
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the infotainment system was displaying a blank screen. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and det…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Subaru Outback.
2018 Subaru Outback Recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Subaru Outback. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Subaru Outback Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 791 owner complaints, 25 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (260 complaints). #2: Visibility/Wiper (233 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (151 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Subaru Outback?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Subaru Outback?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Subaru Outback, NHTSA complaints include 25 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 791 total complaints. 18 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Subaru Outback. A major recall area is VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Outback?▾
The 2018 Subaru Outback shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Subaru Outback based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.