Complaint volume
796 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Subaru Outback Complaints
796 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
796 Total complaints
26 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 26 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 488 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 21,422 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, electrical system, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Subaru Outback?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Subaru Outback
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Subaru Outback complaints?
26 Crash
4 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
19 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Outback complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 210
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 196
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 93
VISIBILITY 37
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22
STEERING 22
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19
ENGINE 13
STRUCTURE 12
BACK OVER PREVENTION 10
796 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Windshield has a giant crack from an unknown source. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | SEAT BELTS | The passenger seat belt is not staying buckled in, it take about 3 tries before it clicks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2018 Subaru Outback parked in driveway. I went to get in car and windshield was cracked starting at the top of the driver's side for 10 inches. I could not continue to drive the car safely for fear that the integrity of the windshield was compromised. I called the insurance company and was told to take it to Safelite to replace the windshield and have the eyesight warning system recalibrated. This is the third time a windshield has been replaced on this car due to a crack. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the windshield cracking! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The battery completely dies after at-least 3 days of not driving the vehicle. Within a few weeks of driving the car off the lot in 2017 (new from the dealership), the car would not start after not being driven over the weekend. I had the car jump started. It happened again the next week after a long weekend of not driving the vehicle. I had it jump started the drove it to the dealership. I was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle or the batter. It happened again the next weekend and I had to get it jump started again. Since then I have not left the car un-driven for more than a couple of days. On June 18, I took the car for an oil change and was told i needed a new battery. I replaced the car battery that same day. Hooked everything up and the car started just fine. I check all interior lights and headlights to make sure they were all off. The next day, I go to start the car and my battery is completely drained. There is an issue with the car where it is draining the battery. I don't know if replacing the battery caused some kind of software reset, but now i'm having issues with a full brand new battery being drained overnight. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | My 2018 Subaru Outback was purchased at the end of 2017. In March of 2019 my windshield had two cracks emanating from the car frame on the left and right sides. The Subaru dealership quickly realized this was not caused by road debris and kindly replaced the windshield. In April of the same year, just a month later, another crack appeared on the windshield again emanating from the frame this time only from the left side straight across the driver's view. Subaru graciously replaced the window again calling it a courtesy at no cost to us though they proclaimed it to be from road debris. My third incident happened in December of 2019 emanating from the middle of the frame then gradually extending out towards the driver's side of the windshield. Subaru again claimed this was road debris but agreed to pay my deductible. So now I have approached my 4th incident on May 16, 2021. Again the crack started from the car frame in the middle of the windshield, same as in December, and has extended once more across the windshield in front of the driver's side creating a visibility issue for the driver. This time Subaru will not even acknowledge causality and is denying any issue regarding the design of the car. They are advising I contact my insurance company to have it repaired. Yes Subaru has been generous in the past but does not recognize that there must be an issue with this 2018 Subaru Outback model that causes such damage to the windshield - cracks that emanate from the frame and gradually extend along the horizontal plane of the windshield causing visibility issues for the driver. For Subaru to contend that all these incidents are caused by road debris would have me believe they think I live in or close to a rock quarry which I guarantee is not even remotely true. My daily commute is only 2 miles through a suburban neighborhood with an occasional road trip. This may be a great car but to have to deal with this every year is a long stretch for my patience and safety. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My wife and I, financed our brand new 2018 Subaru Outback Premium from World Subaru, 688 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, New Jersey 07701, in June 2018. There are 3 main problems with the car, but I’ll only be addressing the most recent one. The main people in this situation is myself-[XXX], my wife-[XXX], Subaru, Owner and General Manager-Joe Wajda, Service Advisor-Rudolph J DeGaetano, and Fixed Operation Director-Lou Zuluaga. The 2018 Subaru was brought in for an oil change filter, etc., on April 19, 2021 and I went right up to the service advisor Rudolph J DeGaetano to tell him besides the oil change and filter to please take a look at this back tire wear, on the edges to about an inch in, its bald, about 3 inches then full thread all the way around the tire, Rudolph said you need an alignment, so I told him to do it with the oil change and filter, so when they were done Rudolph came back to me and I paid $165.47, with this Rudolph showed me the alignment paper and said this can’t be fixed, no mater what you do, the right front caster in red at 4.3 cannot be fixed. And as you see on the original paper, on the right front caster in red, it can’t be fixed. But at the bottom in red it states, “*ONE OR MORE VALUES ARE NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION. TIRE WEAR, HANDLING AND SAFETY PROBLEMS MAY RESULT”. SO ITS TELLING ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WORLD SUBARU CANT FIX IT. I TOLD RUDOLPH THATS UNEXCEPTABLE. Texted owner and General manager Joe Wojda who turned it over to Fixed Operation Director Lou Zuluaga who in turn sent me a text, that it could be the body of the car. I explained to Rudolph that Subaru had a big problem with the new ascents, and it either would cost Subaru to much to fix or they couldn’t fix it, and subaru gave them all brand new Ascents, but what about my car we bought brand new, they expect my wife to drive an unsafe vehicle???[XXX]-[XXX] [XXX] Owner Joe Wajda-732-741-6200 Lou and Rudolph-same number PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery keeps failing and needing jump start. Liftgate has failed and makes continuous loud beeping while driving. Liftgate seems to drain battery leaving car with dead battery. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The front windshield developed a crack with no signs of an outside causation such as an impact by an object. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I bought a new 2018 Subaru Outback in June 2018. It has been a very good vehicle except for the CVT which Subaru has had issues with for years. The CVT hesitates and shudders and detracts from the performance and safety of the vehicle. I have spoken with the dealer as well as Subaru of America They have extended the CVT warranty to 10 years 100k miles but only if the CVT breaks to the point where the vehicle will not operate. I do all my service at the dealer and have asked if Subaru would replace the CVT to make it run better and safely. They said that Subaru will only do that if and when the CVT breaks and does not operate. I would hope that NHTSA can get Subaru to replace the CVT if it operates in an inferior way. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have been having battery issues with my 2018 Subaru Outback. Ended up replacing the battery with a new one and am still have issues with the car draining the battery to dead if not run for a few days. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Ongoing problem with battery draining. The vehicle was bought new in 2018, and has only 13,450 miles. Contacted Subaru, they deny that there has been any issue. They did comp me with a $500 Goodwill Parts & Service Coupon. I now carry a small lithium charger at all times. I'm not too happy about this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My windshield cracked after washing it. It seems out of the blue with no previous damage known | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The car failed to start after being left for a few minutes in a store parking lot. I had called for help, made one more attempt to start it. It started (barely) so I drove it to the dealer a few blocks away. I was told that my battery tested bad 180 CCA vs 490 specified. They replaced it under warranty (no charge). Weather was mild, not cold or hot. I had purchased the car new 2 years 5.5 months before this incident. I did not think much of it at the time, but recently learned that there were other reports of this problem with this vehicle. I have started using a battery maintainer charger once a week to keep the battery fully charged. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery Looses Charge after sitting for a week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Since June of 2020, my 2018 Subaru Outback has now had four cracked windshields with little to no explanation. The first crack was repaired by a Subaru dealership, only to crack again within 24 hours. The same dealership refused to cover the cost of the second windshield replacement. Then in Nov 2020, it cracked again and a different Subaru dealership did cover the cost of the third windshield replacement, but only after filing a compliant with Subaru Corporate. Now in May 2021, the windshield has cracked again with little to no impact and needs to be replaced. Each time the windshield cracked, it significantly spread across the the windshield within hours, and poses a risk to driving. Please assist, as I am aware of active lawsuit for this same type of car misfunction occurring with other 2018 Subaru models, and cannot afford to have a car continue to have this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Trunklid found open, Nowhere near car to actuate it with keyfob 3 times since purchase. First two were given benefit of doubt to accidently actuating.Also battery has been completely drained coincidently in the same time period. After some research found that this is been a common problem With some Subaru owners. Call to Subaru dealership and corporate And set it must be a malfunction And told it must be a malfunction car is 800 miles past warranty and have not taken to dealership as of yet. I have learned of a class action lawsuit regarding this battery drain but Subaru did not acknowlege. For lack of mileage details approx 2 years first incident then twice in the last year.As stated earlier I thought it was operator error until 3rd time and I researched the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1) Battery drain issue when liftgate spuriously opens and completely drains battery resulting in an inoperable car. 2) This issue above and perhaps other unknown electrical issue(s) has resulted in a bad battery after only 3yrs (30K miles). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My 3 year old outback is on its third battery. The first died when the car was 11 months old. Then in summer 2020 (car was 2 years old) I had to put in the 3rd battery. I installed an aftermarket battery since Subaru was closed at the time of the issue. Now this third battery is being inconsistent in starting or seeming as if there’s a dead battery. The battery, alternator, and starter, test as 100% functional. My dealership told me in a May 6th phone call that there was nothing wrong with my car, that I just needed a stronger battery. That would make the 4th battery in a 3 year old car. I was advised to purchase a charging jump pack and carry it with me every day. This is not a viable solution for a car that has to be jump started 1-2 times each day! Sometimes the issue is after long periods of driving, other times the car has been on short drives only. A local repair shop believes the issue is computer or fuse box related. My dealership disagrees. Yet I know that there are class action lawsuits against this model that read as if they are describing the issue with my own vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I have had considerable starting and battery trouble with my 2018 Subaru Outback... Shortly after purchasing the Outback, I had to get a jump start a couple of times, I thought it was my fault due to leaving a light on in the back of the cabin. When I took it in for the 1st oil change, I told the service manager. So since they knew me (It was my 4th Subaru), they checked the system cleaned the post, and I left. I was back 3 or 4 weeks later to get a new battery. I went back this week because I've had to buy jumper cables So I could jump my car off for the 6th or 7th time since I brought it in to get the new battery last year. I understand that there have been a large number of folks experiencing similar problems, and I thought it would be best to add my voice. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My Subaru Starlink Infotainment System has been inoperative since my local dealer attempted to install an update. The update is on back order. I was not informed that this system is no inoperative and if I were in a collision or other emergency the system would not be able to notify 911 dispatchers of my emergency or location. There are now warning lights to tell me the system is inop. I contacted Subaru of America and they provided me with a phone number to Starlink. They are not accepting responsibility. Starlink has refused to provide a refund. There was a class action lawsuit against Subaru that was filed in 2017. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT START IGNITION ON LIGHTS FLICKERED BATTERY WAS ON THE VERGE OF DYING HAD TO JUMP START IT TO GET GOING IN THE MORNING OF COURSE IT WAS STATIONARY IN THE GARAGE IN A VERY TOUGH LOCATION | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,202 |
| May 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTESTATE ON A COOL OVERCAST MORNING. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME AT THE TIME AND I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OVER PASSES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM MY ROOF AND THEN THE GLASS FALLING ON THE ROOF. I WAS FREAKED OUT BY IT AND IT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE THAT IN FACT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS A BIG HOLE IN THE CENTER OF IT AND THE ENTIRE THING HAD CRACKS GOING THROUGH IT. AS IT WAS ON MY MORNING COMMUTE AND I HAD TO GET TO WORK, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND DROVE TO WORK. ON THE REST OF THE DRIVE I COULD HEAR MORE OF THE SUN ROOF FALLING OFF. I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THIS AND THEY WANT ME TO BRING IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE EARLIEST THEY HAVE AVAILABLE FOR ME TO COME IN IS 11 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. WHILE TALKING TO A PARTS PERSON ON THE PHONE, HE DID STATE THAT HE HAS HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE TO OTHER CARS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,500 |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NEW CONDITION IN 2018. FROM THERE ON FORWARD, I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO SYSTEM NOT WANTING TO WORK. THERE WAS NO SOUND OUTPUT. WE THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE RADIO SATELLITE ITSELF, BUT OVERTIME THE REAL ISSUE WAS UNCOVERED. AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I'D LATER LEARN THE BATTERY DEPLETED PREMATURELY, AND ALL THE DEALER AUTO SHOP WOULD RECOMMEND IS BUYING A NEW BATTERY. THE RADIO WORKED JUST FINE AFTER EACH TIME I'VE PURCHASED AND REPLACED MY CAR BATTERY. NOW HAVING REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE FOR $197 EACH TIME, I'VE LEARNED THIS IS ONLY A BAND AID FIX THAT WOULD LAST 6-12 MONTHS. I HAVE SAVED MY RECEIPTS BUT DID NOT ATTACH THOSE AS THEY CONTAIN PERSONAL INFO. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | BATTERY PREMATURELY DEAD. NO CRANK, NO START.10-03-2020 PARKED IN A LOT. JUMP STARTED. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER , TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND FOUND BATTERY FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND PASSED LOAD TEST. EXTREME AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL REMOVED. A FEW DAYS LATER, DID NOT START, MORE CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL. JUMP STARTED. TECHNICIAN INFORMED DRIVER TO TAKE ON LONG DRIVES TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WITH 14,600 MILES. LONG DRIVES IN EXCESS OF 20 MINUTES TAKEN JUST TO CHARGE BATTERY. A FEW DAYS LATER BATTERY LEFT DRIVER AGAIN STRANDED , JUMP STARTED. NEW BATTERY PURCHASED FOR $178.04. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,657 |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I HAVE A FAIRLY NEW OEM SUBARU BATTERY IN MY 2018 OUTBACK. IT CONTINUES TO DRAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I KNOW ABOUT THE TAILGATE PROBLEM. ALSO, I TURN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL (THAT'S POSSIBLE) OFF IN THE CAR WHEN IT'S GARAGED. THE BATTERY OFTEN FAILS TO START THE CAR WHEN IT'S UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS ' EVEN AFTER PREVIOUSLY DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |