AI Damage2018 Subaru Outback: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Outback filed 816 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. The maker issued 302 service bulletins for this year. We found 3 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 816
- involving a crash
- 27
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 302
- YouTube repair videos
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 2% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 2% of all complaints
- Visibility: 273 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 267 complaints (33% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 186.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 43 complaints (5% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Engine: 37 complaints (5% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Steering: 36 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- CVTnamed in 5 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 816 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 273 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 267 | 2 | 186 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 3 | 5 |
| Engine | 37 | 1 | 16 |
| Steering | 36 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Structure | 15 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 14 | 1 | 42 |
| Wheels | 11 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I pressed the parking brake button with no effect. The collision avoidance system did not engage. I clipped the rear of the Toyota Corolla as I jumped the curb to avoid cars using the friction against the curb and move further left when oncoming cars were clear and was able to stop the car.
The car was propelled into a metal post, resulting in my glasses flying off and a seat belt bruise, although the airbag did not deploy. I was examined by ambulance personnel at the scene. The car was towed, inspected by an insurance adjuster and eventually declared a total loss.
The man driving the journey reported that his “power steering went out while trying to pass on the shoulder.” Passenger had to forcibly push open the front passenger door to get out; the back passenger door was not usable and the gas cover popped out. The entire back end of the vehicle was smashed including the glass.
There were no warning lights of failure. I had Autozone check the car computer today, and they came up with an ABS failure code of C1411. I've discussed the situation with a Subaru mechanic on [XXX] , and he says that ABS module has failed and should not happen on 2018 Subaru, that only has @44,000 miles on it.
On 12/28/2023 my 2018 Subaru Outback without warning suddenly accelerated on its own, causing my vehicle to hit the curb and ran into a building.
There were no warning messages or prior failures with the vehicle before this day. The car was taken to a body shop and not the dealer so we have not had the dealer look at the systems that broke down, but our insurance adjuster will be.
The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle had damage to the front end and bumper of the vehicle. The contact had no injuries and medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene.
Driver experienced an unexpected uncommanded sudden acceleration upon application of the braking system in the driveway, which caused a collision with the garage/house. The safety of the driver and other were put at risk. Significant damage to the house/garage occurred. This is a first time occurrence.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 52 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Outback has 477 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 816, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on…
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for…
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when…
This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models…
NHTSA lists 302 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 816. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (16%), battery drain (8%), windows, sunroof (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 302 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Outback from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.