2018 Subaru Outback · symptom sheet
Backup camera goes black or freezes
- 52owner reports
- 11,250median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
52 of the 159 reports of infotainment on the 2018 Outback describe backup camera failure.
Part of Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails (159 reports)
Tick what matches of 52 reports
Backup camera failure on other Outback years
No other Outback model year has enough reports of backup camera failure for a sheet of its own. See every Outback year.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the camera (52 reports) and the head unit or screen (38 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2018 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,000 and 19,000 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“the radio malfunctions. it beeps constantly. it randomly changes inputs it wonât tune. the screen is severely dirty on inside so canât clean it; thus making back up camera look smudged.”
Filed May 9, 2025
“Star system is malfunctioning. I cannot access the control panel because of delamination. This causes difficulty viewing backup camera and driver distraction.”
Filed Apr 14, 2025
“The infotainment screen has delaminated rendering it unusable and will intermittantly interrupt the backup camera while moving. This is the second screen already with this issue in my vehicle”
Filed Oct 16, 2024
“The infotainment system screen has delaminated causing the screen to jump between sources, the backup camera to randomly not display . The problem started last month and is worsening”
Filed Sep 11, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 52 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 264 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 170 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 52 reports