2018 Subaru Outback: recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy
Public records for the 2018 Subaru Outback from NHTSA and the EPA. They describe the model year, not any one car. To check a specific Outback, run its VIN.
Recalls issued
3
for this model year
Owner complaints
814
filed with NHTSA
NHTSA overall rating
5 of 5 stars
tested version below
EPA combined
22–28 mpg
2 configurations
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Recalls issued (3)
Recall campaigns NHTSA issued for the 2018 Subaru Outback. NHTSA's model-year records don't show whether a recall was repaired on a particular car: check a VIN's repair status free at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗. Recall repairs are free at a franchise dealer.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
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: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Free 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.
Reported to NHTSA Dec 31, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free 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.
Reported to NHTSA Nov 1, 2018
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free 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.
Reported to NHTSA Jul 29, 2021
Owner complaints (814)
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Outback. They are owners' reports, not confirmed defects, and a model sold in large numbers collects more of them. One complaint can name more than one area.
| Most-named areas | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 267 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 234 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 43 |
| VISIBILITY | 41 |
| ENGINE | 37 |
NHTSA crash-test ratings
NHTSA rates tested versions of a model, not individual cars.
| Tested version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
EPA fuel economy
The EPA's figures for each 2018 Subaru Outback configuration it lists, with its estimated yearly fuel cost.
| Version | Engine & transmission | City / Hwy / Comb | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Regular Gasoline | 20 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Outback AWD | Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Regular Gasoline | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 |
Records retrieved Oct 14, 2026, 11:28 PM EDTfrom NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests) and the EPA (fueleconomy.gov), and refreshed daily. AutoBear reports what these sources contain and does not independently verify them. This page is about the model year, not a specific car: it says nothing about any one car's condition, accident history or maintenance.