The Lemon IndexAll cars · Subaru Outback · 2018
2018 Subaru Outback. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (AV-S7) | AWD | 25 / 32 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Auto (AV-S6) | AWD | 20 / 27 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,200 and 31,000 miles. Median 16,800, from 488 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 16,200 | 8,000–30,000 | 140 |
| Wipers & visibility | 21,800 | 11,900–32,100 | 162 |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 5,600 | 2,200–12,900 | 28 |
| Visibility | 34,900 | 13,800–50,000 | 38 |
| Engine | 6,000 | 2,000–14,400 | 15 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Wipers & visibility | 35% |
| Electrical | 32% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 6% |
| Visibility | 6% |
| Steering | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 814 | 27 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 19 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
21V587000 Jul 2021 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump
Defect. 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.
Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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.
18V935000 Dec 2018 Visibility / Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Defect. 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 (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk. Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Remedy. Subaru 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.
18V773000 Nov 2018 Electrical System / Software
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. Subaru 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.
Manufacturer communications 439
Subaru filed 439 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- This Service Information Bulletin is in response to several battery sensor replacements resulting
- Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action…
- Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback, 18.8M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain & engine | 3 | 452K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 3 | 276K |
| Transmission & shifter | 3 | 252K |
| Brakes & ABS | 2 | 227K |
| Spark plugs & ignition coils | 2 | 218K |
| Oil leaks & gaskets | 1 | 176K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 2 | 166K |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 2 | 150K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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