Vehicle Data Hub

2018 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

Owners reported fuel system problems in 46 complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback, 5% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
46 5% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
6,000 miles 30 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
3 and 0
Injuries and deaths
2 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When fuel system problems show up

Fuel system 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: 25 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 4 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 0 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 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 30 complaints that include mileage. 97% 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 miles25
20k to 40k miles4
40k to 60k miles0
60k to 80k miles1
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 30 fuel system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 6,000 miles, and 97% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries.

What owners wrote

Driving slowly in a parking lot, I applied the brakes as I approached a parking space. Instead of slowing down, the car inexplicably accelerated quickly and did not respond to increased pressure on the brakes. The car was propelled into a metal post, resulting in my glasses flying off and a seat belt bruise, although the airbag did not deploy. I was examined by ambulance personnel at the scene. The car was towed, inspected by an insurance adjuster and eventually declared a total loss.

April 2026 CrashInjury

When I come to a stop and waiting to make a left turn, the vehicle will stall when I start to turn. Engine is still running, but the car essentially stops in mid turn. This leaves me exposed to a broadside collision. Dealer does not know what is causing it and it does not happen every time. In the last 1000 miles it has occurred 4 times. After the hesitation, about 3 -5 seconds, it starts to move. It has also occurred when moving from one lane to another after coming to a near stop due to a closed lane in the road.

Reported at 22,000 miles, April 2019

Other problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback

Fuel system problems in other years

Fuel system problems across all Subaru models