2018 Subaru Outback: common problems and reliability

The 2018 Subaru Outback has 803 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and visibility/wiper. Owners most often flag infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025) — buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with carplay/android auto. requires dealership updates or unit replacement. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2018 model year

803
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
27
Crash reports
4
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Subaru Outback vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
264
visibility/wiper
233
fuel/propulsion system
43
visibility
41
engine
35

Recalls affecting the 2018 Outback

visibility:rearview mirrors/devices

Campaign 18V935000

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 displ…

electrical system:software

Campaign 18V773000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-…

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 21V587000

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 f…

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term reliability is a core positive, with many owners reporting vehicles reaching 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance, particularly for non-turbo models. The Outback is consistently praised for its pra

  • Infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025) — Buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with CarPlay/Android Auto. Requires dealership updates or unit replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission concerns — Long-term reliability doubts, specific reports of torque converter and clutch pack failures requiring replacement under warranty, fluid migration issues in turbo models (TR690 transmission). "Lifetime fluid" claim is disputed. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Driver's side window regulator failure — Window sticks open, especially in cold/wet weather, fails to close. Known service bulletin for warped channels/regulators. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Battery premature failure — Batteries dying around the 3-year mark, potentially linked to start/stop system and parasitic drain. Known service bulletin (07-213-22R) for 2020-2023 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Engines, particularly older 4-cylinder models (e.g., 2010-2012), noted for consuming oil. Requires regular level checks. Newer FB engines have cam carrier and oil pan leaks. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback.

Typical used price

Used Outback listings typically run $18,424–$29,686 across 2013 to 2026 model years.

Other Outback model years

2025 Outback2022 Outback2021 Outback2019 Outback2014 Outback2013 Outback2010 Outback2009 Outback2007 Outback2003 Outback1999 Outback
Full Subaru Outback owner reportCompare against another car