2018 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Subaru Outback: 3 recalls, 813 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
_2.5i_Premium_station_wagon_(2015-06-23).jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical, Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V773000 · 2018 · 228,648 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #18V935000 · 2018 · 71,190 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V587000 · 2021 · 175,968 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (267): the most common themes are electrical failure (182), stalls / loses power (47), door / lock issues (25).
- Visibility/Wiper (234): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Other / unknown (160): the most common themes are electrical failure (23), stalls / loses power (8).
- Fuel & propulsion (43): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (17), electrical failure (5).
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 813 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 32 Outback model years for complaints (2.7× the average Outback year). Complaints peaked in 2021 (174 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 16,793 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (918 complaints, 4 recalls), 2019 (1035 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Subaru Outback.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners have filed 813 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (267), visibility/wiper (234), other / unknown (160).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Outback get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (AV-S7)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Subaru Outback repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.