2018 Subaru Outback problems
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 1,003 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (27%) concerns wipers, windshield & visibility. Next are electrical system (27%) and fuel system (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,003 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 48 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 23 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 15,000 miles 584 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 343 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 162 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 57 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 584 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 15,000 miles. For wipers, windshield & visibility specifically, the median reported mileage is about 24,000 miles (200 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 48 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 23 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2018 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (872 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Severe, head-on impact to driver's side, other car was totaled. Police expected both cars to be totaled, and were surprised that driver's side airbag did not deploy. Driver was not seriously injured, however, she took a hard hit to her head, neck and shoulder. Dealer, independent service center have not inspected the vehicle, nor has problem been reproduced. Airbag has not been inspected by the manufacturer, or insurance rep., police and repair facility only. No warning lamps, etc. Were known to have illuminated.
I went to to stop at a traffic light and my brakes failed. I swerved to miss the car directly in front of me. I hit 5 other cars and the car flipped. The fire department had to cut us out of the car.this was a busy street.
[XXX] at [XXX] We were sitting at a complete stop with our turn signal on, waiting for traffic to clear enough to turn left. It was dark/cold but otherwise good road conditions, no rain/snow/wind. We were suddenly slammed from behind in the rear/R passenger rear by the Black Dodge Journey. This impact then pushed us into the oncoming lane causing another vehicle to hit us in the front driver side of the vehicle. 911 was called at 1811 and the call lasted 3 minutes. SBPD was dispatched along with traffic control.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru outback. The contact stated that the front windshield cracked without impact. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10,000.