Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Outback (this page) | 3 |
| 2019 Outback | 8 |
Of the 5 model years of Subaru Outback we track for fuel system problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2020 MY Ascent, 2018-2019 MY BRZ, 2018 MY Forester (Turbo), 2018-2020 MY Impreza, 2018-2020 MY Legacy, 2018-2020 MY Outback, and 2018-2019 MY WRX vehicles in which the fuel pump may become inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2020 MY Ascent, 2018-2019 MY BRZ, 2018 MY Forester (Turbo), 2018-2020 MY Impreza, 2018-2020 MY Legacy, 2018-2020 MY Outback, and 2018-2019 MY WRX vehicles in which the fuel pump may become inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2020 MY Ascent, 2018-2019 MY BRZ, 2018 MY Forester (Turbo), 2018-2020 MY Impreza, 2018-2020 MY Legacy, 2018-2020 MY Outback, and 2018-2019 MY WRX vehicles in which the fuel pump may become inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2020 MY Ascent, 2018-2019 MY BRZ, 2018 MY Forester (Turbo), 2018-2020 MY Impreza, 2018-2020 MY Legacy, 2018-2020 MY Outback, and 2018-2019 MY WRX vehicles in which the fuel pump may become inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WRG-21 Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Safety Recall â Owner Notification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Subaru outback. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 18v773000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline) and stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time. The dealer (Subaru of santa cruz, 4100 auto plaza drive, capitola, ca 95010) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the…
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
Based on the 3 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 34,450 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.