Vehicle Data Hub

2018 Subaru Outback engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 37 complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback, 4% of the complaints on file.

At a glance

Complaints
37 4% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
6,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 1
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2018 Subaru Outback Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 6,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 13 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 2 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 0 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 0 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 0 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 6,000 miles
Based on 15 complaints that include mileage. 100% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles13
20k to 40k miles2
40k to 60k miles0
60k to 80k miles0
80k to 100k miles0
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 15 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 6,000 miles, and 100% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire.

What owners wrote

While driving, the vehicle started to lose power and engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was parked and upon inspection of the engine the engine had caught fire. The fire grew and the car was demolished as a result of an engine fire. The vehicle was in perfect working order before the fire, well maintained and had low mileage for a one year old vehicle.

Reported at 6,000 miles, April 2019 Fire

Vehicle developed drip from transmission approximately mid june 2018. Took to dealer & unable to find source after 11 days in shop. They put dye in and I drove until 7-30-18 when drip returned. Car in shop 6 days for new transmission. Car returned 8-9-18. 11 days later 8-21-18 major oil leak & vehicle towed to dealership. As of 8-24-18 they are still attempting to locate leak. Will have to pull engine. May not get car back during august. Outback has less than 15000 miles.

Reported at 14,410 miles, August 2018

Other problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Subaru models