Fifth generation (BS)
2018 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2018 Subaru Outback is windshield, with 264 complaints, usually around 25,000 miles.
- 812owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 27involved a crash
- 18,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Outback doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 812 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.5 times the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 90 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs close to the 2017 (92) and below the 2019 (129).
- Top problem
- Windshield leads with 264 of the 812 complaints (33%), ahead of dead battery at 170. A quarter of the 195 owners who gave a mileage for windshield saw it by about 13,000 miles, and half by about 25,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 34 of the 812 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 27 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 19 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of windshield, dead battery and infotainment has a recall on the same system: windshield, 18V-935; dead battery and infotainment, 18V-773. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 174 and have dropped every year since, to 36 in 2025. So far in 2026, 35 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 264 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
812 complaints is 2.9 times the median 2018 model on this site and 2.5 times the median 2018 SUV. Among the 13 Outback model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 432 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Subaru Outback. 26 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 264 complaints
This bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosing and repairing customer concerns of a âpoppingâ or âsnappingâ -type sound heard when opening the sunroof.
Battery dies or the car will not start 5 bulletins · 170 complaints
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi. In rare cases, customers may experience a dead battery as a result of the DCM continually trying to access the 3G network.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is extending the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from three years (36 months or 36K miles) to eight years (96 months or 100K miles), whichever comes first.
3 more on this problem
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 11 bulletins · 159 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
9 more on this problem
This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3 Navigation and Display Audio systems.
This service bulletin announces the addition of diagnostics for DTC B224C: RADIO ANTENNA FAULTS to the service manuals of the models listed.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation systemâs functionality.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality.
This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure to use when diagnosing the infotainment system, a DTC B2242- âUART COMMUNICATIONâ is stored in memory.
This bulletin announces availability of new Harman audio unit amplifier units with revised internal logic designed to optimize efficiency while addressing the following customer concerns: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed ...
This bulletin announces availability of new audio system amplifiers to address the following operating concerns with the Harman Kardon Gen 3 infotainment system: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed changes when turning the knob ...
This Service Information bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit
Car won't start 1 bulletin · 24 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Infotainment screen freezes or goes black 1 bulletin · 22 complaints
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank).
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 18 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
1 more on this problem
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear ABS wheel speed sensor on the models listed above. The change involves the addition of an additional shielding cover to protect the harness from damage caused by road debris.
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 9 complaints
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
This bulletin provides a service procedure to address customer concerns of a âsqueakingâ -type sound from the front seat(s).
1 more on this problem
This bulletin provides a procedure to help identify the source of a squeaking, creaking or popping -type sound heard coming from the driverâs seat.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Complaints filed by year
174 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
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 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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
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-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
All 3 recalls on the 2018 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Windshield, with 264 of the 812 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 25,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 490 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 8,000 miles and half by about 18,000.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has about as many complaints as the 2017 and fewer complaints than the 2019: 90 a year against 92 and 129.
How many 2018 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
34 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 18V-935. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.