Representative model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Subaru Outback recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 814
Latest campaign: Jul 29, 2021

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Jul 29, 2021	21V587000
Visibility	1	Dec 31, 2018	18V935000
Electrical system	1	Nov 1, 2018	18V773000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 29, 2021Latest campaign


Jul 29, 202121V587000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V587000 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 21V587000 · Jul 29, 2021
Dec 31, 201818V935000	Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V935000 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 (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. Campaign NHTSA 18V935000 · Dec 31, 2018
Nov 1, 201818V773000	Electrical system: software 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V773000 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V773000 · Nov 1, 2018

Jul 29, 202121V587000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V587000

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.
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.
Campaign: NHTSA 21V587000 · Jul 29, 2021

Dec 31, 201818V935000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 18V935000

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 (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.
Campaign: NHTSA 18V935000 · Dec 31, 2018

Nov 1, 201818V773000

Electrical system: software

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 18V773000

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.
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.
Campaign: NHTSA 18V773000 · Nov 1, 2018

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2018 Subaru Outback? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component814

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

814Complaints filed

27Involving a crash

4Involving a fire

19Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	267	33	2	3	0
Visibility/wiper	234	29	1	0	0
Unknown or other	161	20	7	0	3
Fuel/propulsion system	43	5	3	0	1
Visibility	41	5	0	0	0
Engine	37	5	1	1	0
Steering	36	4	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	21	3	7	0	2
Back over prevention	19	2	2	0	1
Service brakes	18	2	7	0	3
Forward collision avoidance	18	2	7	0	1
Structure	15	2	0	0	0
Power train	14	2	1	0	0
Wheels	11	1	0	1	0
Suspension	9	1	0	0	0

15 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“SUMMARY OF SAFETY DEFECT: The vehicle exhibits severe, premature corrosion and rust perforation of the front subframe (crossmember) assembly.”
Filed 10/11/2026 · ODI 11770420
Electrical system
“The touchscreen has delamination and ghost touching of the apps. I spoke with my dealer and was first told it was covered by Subaru to replace, as it was a known issue, but when I took my car to the dealer, I was told I…”
Filed 10/03/2026 · ODI 11768670
Electrical system
“The 8-inch Gen 3 Harman STARLINK touchscreen is delaminating/bubbling. It registers phantom touch inputs and becomes unresponsive on its own while the vehicle is in motion, changing audio, navigation, and system…”
Filed 09/29/2026 · ODI 11767919

Other Subaru Outback model years

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Other Subaru models

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2018 Subaru Outback recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Subaru Outback. The most recent, 21V587000 (reported July 29, 2021), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Subaru Outback?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 267 complaints out of 814 filed with NHTSA (33%). Across all complaints, owners reported 27 crashs and 4 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Subaru Outback?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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