2018 Subaru Outback problems
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 803 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 803 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 255 complaints, typically surfacing around 26,619 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Outback | 504 | 1 |
| 2016 Outback | 638 | 0 |
| 2017 Outback | 917 | 2 |
| 2018 Outback (this page) | 803 | 0 |
| 2019 Outback | 1,029 | 0 |
| 2020 Outback | 891 | 0 |
| 2021 Outback | 291 | 1 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2018 Subaru Outback? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- visibility — 255 owner reports · tends to show around 26,619 mi · ~$350 to fix
- electrical — 253 owner reports · tends to show around 23,685 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 9,860 mi · ~$700 to fix
- cruise control — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 17,180 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 17,180 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2018 Subaru Outback
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2018 Subaru Outback
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~8,000 micruise control~$600
- ~8,200 misteering~$700
- ~17,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~18,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~25,000 mivisibility~$350
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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.…
Battery continues to drain prematurely. It's been an issue since the very beginning of out ownership in June 2018. We replaced the battery after it would not hold a charge for more than two days. The replacement battery still wouldn't last for more than a day or two. Now in…
Wife was driving and a small stone hit the windshield, leaving a small chip in the glass. Upon turning on the defroster later, the windshield cracked.
The infotainment system freezes randomly causing screen to freeze including while backing up. This causes it to appear as though the back up camera is working when in reality it is not. Serious safety concern if cross traffic or children are not seen.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 803 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Subaru Outback has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2018 Subaru Outback?
The 2018 Subaru Outback is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Subaru Outback?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 255 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,619 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 803 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 26,619 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 255 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,619 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 26,619 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 803 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.