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2018 Subaru Outback: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Outback years.
One of the Subaru Outback years to avoid. All Outback years
811 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Outback?The 2018 Subaru Outback has 811 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and visibility/wiper. Owners most often flag interior material quality issues: leather/vinyl seat splitting (e.g., on 2018 limited), hard seats, cheap materials.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Subaru Outback vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Outback years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Outback?
Across the 30 Outback model years we track, complaint volume runs from 80 (1997) to 1,034 (2019). With 811 complaints, the 2018 Outback sits above the model's median of 230.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Outback
visibility:rearview mirrors/devices
Campaign 18V935000Subaru 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. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
electrical system:software
Campaign 18V773000Subaru 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-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 21V587000Subaru 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.
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.
- IsolatedInterior material quality issues
Leather/vinyl seat splitting (e.g., on 2018 Limited), hard seats, cheap materials.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback. See the full Outback owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Outback listings typically run $17,495–$25,992.
Other Outback model years
Compare every Outback year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Outback against its rivals
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