Owners have reported 25 crashes, 4 fires and 18 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Subaru Outback. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints248
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the infotainment system, particularly screen delamination, which leads to ghost touches and erratic behavior such as random calls and changes in audio settings. These malfunctions typically occur around 20,000 to 68,000 miles and can distract drivers, affecting safety features like the backup camera. Some complaints also involve battery-related problems, including failure to hold a charge and unexpected power loss while driving. Notably, three complaints involve fires, one of which started from a battery wire, highlighting potential safety risks. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues and their implications for vehicle safety and functionality.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints214
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report frequent issues with the windshields of the 2018 Subaru Outback, often describing spontaneous cracks without any noticeable impact. Complaints frequently mention that these cracks appear while the vehicle is parked or during normal driving conditions, sometimes spreading rapidly across the windshield. Multiple owners describe having to replace their windshields multiple times within a few years of ownership, often citing a lack of visible damage or significant impact. Some reports indicate that the windshields crack due to minor debris, which would not typically cause damage to other vehicles. One complaint notes an incident involving a crash, though specifics are not detailed. This pattern suggests potential concerns for used car buyers regarding the durability of the windshield glass in this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints105
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with the infotainment system in the 2018 Subaru Outback, primarily involving screen delamination that leads to "ghost touches" and malfunctions. Symptoms commonly described include the screen flickering, changing displays without input, and disrupting features like the backup camera, phone calls, and navigation, which can cause driver distraction and impact safety. These issues often begin after several years of ownership, typically worsening over time. Additionally, some owners report spontaneous sunroof shattering and incidents of unprovoked acceleration, with a few resulting in crashes and injuries. Buyers should be aware of these potential defects, especially in vehicles with higher mileage or those nearing the end of extended warranty periods.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints35
STEERING
Owners report several steering issues with the 2018 Subaru Outback, with the most common being unexpected steering pull to the left or right, often described as feeling like a gust of wind or hydroplaning on dry roads. This issue typically occurs at speeds above 45 mph and is reported across various mileage ranges. Some owners also describe intermittent steering lock when reversing or making sharp turns, while others mention a loose or imprecise steering feel. Safety implications are significant, with one complaint involving a crash due to steering lock. These issues are noted both with and without lane assist functionality engaged, and multiple owners express concern about the unpredictability and potential danger of these steering behaviors.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints25
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the fuel gauge and propulsion system. Many complaints describe the fuel gauge inaccurately displaying the remaining fuel, leading to unexpected stalls when the vehicle runs out of gas despite showing sufficient range, often around 20 to 40 miles left. Additionally, several owners experience unintended acceleration, with instances leading to a crash or near-misses, particularly in parking and traffic situations. These issues are noted across various mileages, with some reports occurring shortly after purchase. Safety implications include potential collisions due to sudden loss of power or unexpected acceleration, posing risks in traffic or at intersections.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback frequently report sudden unintended acceleration, often occurring when the vehicle is at low speeds or during parking maneuvers. Common symptoms include the vehicle accelerating on its own despite the driver applying the brakes, with some incidents leading to crashes, property damage, and two reported injuries. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some vehicles having as few as 4,400 miles. Complaints also mention the failure of emergency braking systems and lack of warning indicators at the time of incidents. For potential buyers, it's important to note that these reported issues could pose significant safety risks, particularly in scenarios involving close-quarters maneuvering.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints14
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2018 Subaru Outback often experiences issues with the CVT transmission, which include symptoms such as hesitation, shuddering, and unexpected disengagement while driving. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle failing to accelerate, stalling, or the transmission behaving as if in neutral during acceleration, sometimes at highway speeds. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 10,000 miles and others around 70,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with one reported crash involving unintended acceleration and another incident where the transmission failure occurred at high speed on the highway. For used car buyers, these patterns suggest potential reliability concerns with the CVT transmission that may warrant further investigation or consideration of warranty coverage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ENGINE
Owners report several engine-related issues with the 2018 Subaru Outback, with a recurring problem being oil leaks, particularly from cam tower seals, often occurring between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention unexpected engine acceleration without driver input, sometimes leading to crashes, as well as instances of the engine stalling or cutting off while driving, which can result in loss of power steering and braking. Additionally, multiple owners describe a persistent need to add coolant, with some experiencing a burning coolant odor and no visible leaks, and in one case, an engine fire occurred. These issues have significant safety implications, including the risk of crashes and fires, and potential loss of control due to engine stalling.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the service brakes, including instances where the brake pedal travels to the floor without effectively stopping the vehicle. Several complaints describe the brakes failing to respond, resulting in crashes, with one incident leading to injuries. Common symptoms include soft brake pedals and unexpected acceleration despite brake application. These issues are noted at mileages ranging from approximately 6,000 to 44,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes and one case involving the vehicle overturning. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly the reports of brake failure leading to loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints8
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with airbag deployment, particularly during crashes. Several complaints detail incidents where airbags did not deploy despite significant collisions, including rear-end impacts and head-on crashes, resulting in injuries such as head trauma and concussions. One owner describes an unexpected airbag deployment while backing out of a parking space, causing the steering column electronics to fail. Common symptoms include airbag warning lights and failure of the passenger seat airbag to engage during longer drives. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some vehicles having as low as 10,300 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple crashes involving non-deployment of airbags are noted, leading to injuries and vehicle damage.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 11 injury reports
