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2018 Subaru Outback

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA808
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA28 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2018 Subaru Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outback AWD, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 808 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Outback AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253228$2,250
Outback AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl202722$2,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38856, 38857.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Subaru Outback is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

WRG-21
175,968 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V587000reported Jul 29, 2021Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Visibility

WTZ-85
71,190 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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."RiskFailure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.FixSubaru 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V935000reported Dec 31, 2018Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

WTW-82
228,648 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskThe inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSubaru 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 campaign 18V773000reported Nov 1, 2018Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
808complaints filed

27 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 19 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 6 · 2018: 80 · 2019: 156 · 2020: 164 · 2021: 174 · 2022: 66 · 2023: 48 · 2024: 47 · 2025: 36 · 2026: 31

Most-cited components

Electrical System267
Visibility/Wiper233
Unspecified159
Fuel/Propulsion System43
Visibility41
Engine36

What owners describe

“I was driving straight on a divided highway and heard a loud pop. I didn't see anything at first, but as I continued to drive, a crack appeared at the bottom, driver-side of the windshield. The crack continued to grow and has now extended more than halfway across the windshield, obstructing my vision while driving. I h…”Jul 7, 2021 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, a semi-truck crashed into the vehicle causing severe front-end damage but no airbags were deployed. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The vehicle was no longer drivable and was towed to the home. …”Jul 7, 2021 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, a rock struck the front windshield. The contact stated at the time there was no cracks on the front windshield. The next day upon entering the vehicle, he noticed a crack going along the passenger’s side of the front windshield. The v…”Jul 6, 2021 · Visibility · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Outback model years

A

2027 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 14 complaints

A

2025 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 77 complaints

A

2024 Subaru Outback

0 recalls · 98 complaints

B

2023 Subaru Outback

2 recalls · 89 complaints

D

2022 Subaru Outback

4 recalls · 462 complaints

D

2021 Subaru Outback

4 recalls · 296 complaints

F

2020 Subaru Outback

6 recalls · 896 complaints

C

2019 Subaru Outback

3 recalls · 1,033 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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