Is the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2018 Subaru OUTBACK has 983 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (274 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (265 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (157 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2018 Subaru OUTBACK gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Subaru OUTBACK has 983 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is visibility problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: drivers side view mirror does not adjust fair enough to see my blind spot well. this is a common problem. i've read countless forums on popular subaru forum websites. this is a safety issue.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 35 crash reports 9 injuries

983

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

274 complaints

28%

• DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ADJUST FAIR ENOUGH TO SEE MY BLIND SPOT WELL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS ON POPULAR SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
• THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICTED IN COMPARISON TO THE PASSENGER OUTSIDE SIDE MIRROR. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE OF AN OPERATOR BEING IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO REDUCED AWARENESS AND/OR NEEDED INCREASED REACTION TIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE
• THERE IS A DISTORTED VIEW THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE LEASE WAS SIGNED AT, BOTH TELL ME THAT BECAUSE IT'S TEMPERED GLASS, THAT'S HOW THEY COME. THIS IS VISIBLE WHEN IN MOTION OR WHEN THE VEHICLE I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ADJUST FAIR ENOUGH TO SEE MY BLIND SPOT WELL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS ON POPULAR SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 584 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

429

30-60K

133

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 200 reports

0-30K

128

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 141 reports

0-30K

105

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 80 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES31/12/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2018 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 983 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT ADJUST FAIR ENOUGH TO SEE MY BLIND SPOT WELL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ COUNTLESS FORUMS ON POPULAR SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE CAR IS PARKED. THE FLASHERS ARE ACTIVATED. THE CAR IS THEN LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY FOB. AFTER RETURNING TO THE CAR A SHORT TIME LATER (MAYBE 5 MINUTES OR SO) THE KEY FOB IS TOTALLY UNUSABLE. LOCK, UNLOCK, REAR HATCH OR PANIC DO NOT WORK. MUST THEN USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK, TO U
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: STARLINK RADIO IN TOURING MODEL WITH 8"SCREEN UNRELIABLE. HAD ISSUES WITH TOUCHSCREEN FREEZING AND CD LOADING ERROR FROM PURCHASE DATE IN AUGUST TO DEC. 18, 2017. DEALER TRIED TO PERFORM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND FRIED RADIO. RADIO WAS REPLACED. ISSUES WORSE WITH NEW RADIO. TOOK 2500 MILE TRIP AND HAD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: WHILE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR: ON MOST CURVES TO THE LEFT THE CAR SEEMS TO "GRAB" TO THE LEFT AND THEN I CORRECT THE SWING. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO ALMOST OVER CORRECT. AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WHILE ON THE STRAIGHT WAY AND THE CAR WILL SEEM TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. NOT ENOUGH THAT I AM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)