2018 Subaru Outback Safety Report
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Subaru Outback
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Subaru Outback. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (784) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 29 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Subaru Outback with 283 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Subaru Outback before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Outback Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Outback years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Outback | 1023 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | 909 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 886 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Subaru Outback | 630 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | 283 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | 496 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Subaru Outback Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Subaru Outback, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
210 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyElectrical System
194 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
92 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyVisibility
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlySteering
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Subaru Outback
Reliability Score
The 2018 Subaru Outback receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Subaru Outback
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Subaru Outback
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Subaru Outback:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Touchscreen Delamination The infotainment touchscreen in the 2018 Subaru Outback has developed severe delamination, causing persistent ‘ghost touch’ inputs and screen delamination. This issue affects GPS and overall functionality. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Rearview Mirror And Wiper System Recalls Subaru has issued recalls for rearview mirrors and wiper systems in the 2018 Outback due to visibility issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Issues Steering issues have been reported, though less frequently. These issues can affect driving stability and safety. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Recall Subaru has issued a recall for fuel system issues in the 2018 Outback, specifically related to the fuel pump. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Subaru Outback:
The infotainment system is malfunctioning, with issues such as delamination and ghost touch.
Steering issues have been reported, though less frequently.
Fuel system issues have been reported, specifically related to the fuel pump.
Recalls for rearview mirrors and wiper systems have been issued due to visibility issues.
Recall Details for the 2018 Subaru Outback
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Subaru Outback by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Subaru Outback
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 involved fires.
Subaru has a known “ghost touch” radio head unit issue that they failed to recall. My 2018 Subaru Outback has an unstable head unit that affects GPS, hands free technology, and back up camera assistance.
Hood flew open at 70 mph on smooth highway. Visibility was restricted to narrow field below open hood and front windshield was cracked through force of impact of hood on front windshield.
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Outback has developed severe screen delamination and now generates persistent “ghost touch” inputs. The screen registers touches without any driver interaction. While the vehicle is in motion, the system frequently activates functions on its own, including changing audio sources, adjusting settings, and opening menus. This occurs repeatedly and unpre...
This my [XXX] mother's car, she would have panicked had she witnessed this incident. Upon starting vehicle in morning after cleaning off light dusting of snow, the driver's side mirror started to smoke for almost a minute with an electrical and plastic burn smell. I was able to video some of the smoking and took a picture afterwards that seems to show a burn mark at the bottom of the mirror housi...
The STARLINK touchscreen display on my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced progressive delamination — a separation of the screen's protective layer from the display panel — resulting in large, spreading opaque blotches that obscure significant portions of the screen. This is a known manufacturing defect that Subaru of America acknowledged through the issuance of a Technical Service Bulletin and an...
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when driving approximately 30- 40 MPH, veering off the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power, but had immediately regained power. The failure had occurred 3 - 4 times total. The last time it occurred, the vehicle took a bit longer to regain power. After pulling into the desired parking lot, the contact checked the battery. When tou...
the Infotainment system is malfunctioning. the screen is delaminating and pressing ghost buttons, flickering between screens or not functioning at all and I am unable to press any buttons on the screen. safety: when making calls hands free with the system, it will mute calls, end calls, or switch calls between the car speaker and the phone speaker. This is problematic if emergency services are e...
This is a Base model automobile with manual seats. The right front passenger seat unlocked without warning during a quick deceleration. The seat slid forward on mounting rails and caused the front passenger to be squished between forward motion of seat and the seat belt. Lucky this was not a collision, but weight of seat moving forward & smashing passenger against seat belt was very uncormf...
While driving my 2018 Subaru Outback on the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously shattered without warning. At the time of the incident, there were no nearby vehicles, road debris, or external factors that could explain the failure. This appears to be a dangerous and unexpected defect.
Touch screen has delamination that causes false control of functions controlled by the touch screen. Due to delamination of the screen it can make false phone calls, change the radio station or modify system settings, causing dangerous distractions for the driver.
While the lane keeping assistance is on the car will follow the exit lane beside the lane I’m in and jerk over into it. There has been a car beside me when has happened but I caught the steering wheel before a crash. Also if a car is turning in front of me sometimes, not always, the brakes will jam on when I’m not even close to the car that is turning but I would be going around the car after it ...
The head unit on the vehicle has delaminated. The touchscreen display no longer works, it has false touches. This affects navigational safety of the vehicle, as navigation no longer works. This also affects sounds of the vehicle, not being able to change volume for ADAS alerts. This also affects the backup camera, which is a big safety concern. The problem has been confirmed and inspected by a de...
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the infotainment system was displaying a blank screen. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notif...
Head unit / radio has delamination and causing buttons to randomly press and cycle until it freezes. This is a know. Issue and Subaru has extended the warranty for a but , but if issue occurs after this the owner is on their own. It is a safety issue when electrical systems just randomly start going off. Should be covered.
My 2018 Subaru Outback has a defective head unit that poses a serious safety hazard. Subaru has already acknowledged this defect in this exact make/model/year and issued an extended warranty, but my vehicle was denied full coverage because the warranty window expired. The defect causes the head unit to: -Power on/off by itself. -Force phone connections even when Bluetooth is disabled. -Place doze...
MY 2018 Outback experienced a driver side smoking mirror a few days ago. While parked at the gas station, a large amount of smoke suddenly began emanating from the driver side mirror. As a result I no longer see my TPMS, the ability to lock/unlock the car with the remote, interior lights no longer work.
Summary of Problem: The infotainment screen on my 2018 Subaru Outback has delaminated and is malfunctioning, causing multiple safety issues. This is a known manufacturer defect previously addressed in a class-action lawsuit (Starlink Infotainment System Litigation, settled 2021). However, my vehicle’s screen failed shortly after the extended warranty expired. Detailed Description of Safety Hazard...
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the radio system display had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware o...
The infotainment system in the car has suffered from screen delamination, which is apparently common with these models. This has left the touchscreen both non-responsive to touch as well as randomly selecting items on the screen, rendering it unusable. This is a safety issue because the only way to deactivate Reverse Automatic Braking and the rear parking sensors is through the touchscreen. Bein...
Arriving at my childhood home, I followed the driveway to the left to park in front of the garage door. With my foot on the brake and slowly rolling to a stop, the car suddenly accelerated and jolted forward making contact with the garage door and the frame of the garage. This caused damage to the house, garage door and the front of the car. Thankfully there was no other car in the way or a pedest...
Showing 20 of 784 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Subaru Outback
Has the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
The 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK has 784 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 25 involved crashes. 18 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK involve visibility/wiper (210 complaints), electrical system (194 complaints), unknown or other (92 complaints). Other affected components include visibility, electrical system,unknown or other, steering.
How many crash reports does the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
There are 25 crash reports associated with the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK out of 784 total complaints (3.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK out of 784 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
18 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK is proceed with caution. It has 784 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (210 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (194 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (92 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY (37 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 210 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Be cautious of the infotainment touchscreen delamination and ghost touch issues, as they can affect GPS and overall functionality. Ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls and maintenance. The 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK has 784 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 784 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 29 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Infotainment touchscreen delamination and Rearview mirror and wiper system recalls.
What are the known issues with the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Known issues with the 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK include: Infotainment touchscreen delamination, Rearview mirror and wiper system recalls, Steering issues, Fuel system recall. These are based on patterns found across 784 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Yes, recalls have been issued for rearview mirrors, wiper systems, and the fuel system.
What are the common issues with the infotainment system?
The infotainment touchscreen has developed severe delamination and ghost touch issues, affecting GPS and overall functionality.
Are there any steering issues with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Steering issues have been reported, though less frequently.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the infotainment touchscreen delamination and ghost touch issues, as they can affect GPS and overall functionality. Ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls and maintenance.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Subaru Outback
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Subaru Outback. The data includes 784 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 25 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 18 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Subaru Outback an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16