2018 SUBARU OUTBACK Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback. This model year has 791 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2018 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Visibility/Wiper
Uncategorized Issues
Considering a 2018 Subaru Outback?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Subaru Outback. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| 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.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 791 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
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.
Recalls for 2018 Subaru Outback
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2018 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2018 Subaru Outback has 791 NHTSA owner complaints, 25 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Electrical Faults (260 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
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?▾
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 25 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 791 total NHTSA complaints. 18 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Subaru Outback. The largest issue: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Outback?▾
The 2018 Subaru Outback has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Electrical Faults issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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.
Check Your Specific 2018 Subaru Outback
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.