The 2018 Subaru Outback has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 475,806 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 986 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
VISIBILITY18V9350002018-12-3171,190 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
256
2crashes3fires
VISIBILITY/WIPER
233
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
156
7crashes3injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
43
3crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
36
ENGINE
35
1crashes1fires
STEERING
34
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
21
7crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
18
7crashes3injuries
POWER TRAIN
14
1crashes
Total complaints986
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The car screens are delaminating and bubbling due to fault of the manufacturer. This is a widespread issue and causes safety issues due to the screen moving erratically while driving, messing with volume and function controls.”
“This is my fourth subaru outback windshield. The car has 80k. I had it replaced in 2019 when a rock hit the screen by safelight. I had another crack (no rock) fixed in july 2021 and another crack (unclear source) fixed in august 2025, both by subaru. This weekend I got my fourth crack in the…”
“I am writing to report a severe, escalating safety defect regarding the "ghost touching" / phantom input malfunction of the infotainment head unit on my subaru outback. This electronic defect has escalated from a minor distraction into a severe hazard that directly compromises the operational…”
“Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 subaru outback. The owner located a torn receipt with the discrepancy located in the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 91,000 and at the time of it being discovered the mileage was 148,234. A…”
“Report on accident [xxx] 4th district wheaton maryland [xxx] [xxx] I was driving west on [xxx] at approximately [xxx]. As I approached the intersection at [xxx] the trafic light cars were stopped . I was in the left hand lane because I was going to turn on to [xxx] . As approached the intersection…”
“Report on accident [xxx] 4th district wheaton maryland [xxx] [xxx] I was driving west on [xxx] at approximately [xxx]. As I approached the intersection at [xxx] the trafic light cars were stopped . I was in the left hand lane because I was going to turn on to [xxx] . As approached the intersection…”
“Report on accident [xxx] 4th district wheaton maryland [xxx] [xxx] I was driving west on [xxx] at approximately [xxx]. As I approached the intersection at [xxx] the trafic light cars were stopped . I was in the left hand lane because I was going to turn on to [xxx] . As approached the intersection…”
“The 2018 subaru outback 8" starlink infotainment system is beeping, switching between the screens, try to disconnect my phone, changes radio stations doesn't recognize when I touch a button on the screen. That it is a distraction while driving as it is one annoying, two I try to get it to stop…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Subaru Outback as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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