Model Year Problem Record

Subaru Outback 2018 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2018 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

816Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

54Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility275 complaints

275 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V935000.

Electrical System269 complaints

269 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V773000.

Unknown Or Other162 complaints

162 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems55 complaints

55 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System46 complaints

46 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V587000.

Engine37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

18V773000Reported November 1, 2018 - 228,648 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on November 1, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 228,648 vehicles across all affected models.

18V935000Reported December 31, 2018 - 71,190 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on December 31, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 71,190 vehicles across all affected models.

21V587000Reported July 29, 2021 - 175,968 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 29, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 175,968 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20176

201880

2019156

2020164

2021174

202266

202348

202447

202536

202639

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.