The vehicle dossier US · 2018

2018 Subaru
OUTBACKProblems & recalls

811 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Visibility appears in 272 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

From the original manufacturer documents

What did the manufacturer do?

These reviewed documents are associated with this model-year. Check the stated engine, build-date, VIN and coverage conditions before assuming they apply to the car you’re considering.

Subaru · 07-235-25

EyeSight / reverse braking

75% covered during extension

The bulletin discusses reproducible unnecessary stopping or slowing attributed to specified EyeSight or reverse-braking components.

A special four-month window for vehicles whose extension would already have expired ended November 29, 2025.

Read coverage & conditions

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 811 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Visibility272 reports
Electrical system265 reports
Other components237 reports
Fuel system46 reports
Engine37 reports
Steering35 reports
Brakes18 reports
Body & structure15 reports
Transmission & drivetrain14 reports
Air bags8 reports
Suspension8 reports
See original component labels
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM257
VISIBILITY/WIPER233
UNKNOWN OR OTHER160
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM43
ENGINE37
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD36
STEERING34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
SERVICE BRAKES18
STRUCTURE:BODY15
POWER TRAIN14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING11
WHEELS10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA9
AIR BAGS8
SEATS8
SUSPENSION8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL5
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
VISIBILITY4
BACK OVER PREVENTION4
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST2
SEAT BELTS2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING2
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION2
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER2
LANE DEPARTURE1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM1
TIRES:BEAD1
Carry Handle, Shell, Base1
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
WHEELS:SPOKES1
WHEELS:RIM1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH1

These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.

The reporting timeline

When reports arrived.

Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 10 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Sep 12, 2026
Mileage, where supplied

16,793 miles is the median among 488 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 7,200–30,850 miles.

This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.

02 / Official safety campaigns

3 recall campaigns on file.

A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.

Jul 29, 2021 Safety recallFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 21V587000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: WRG-21

Read campaign 21V587000 at NHTSA
Dec 31, 2018 Safety recallVISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICESCampaign 18V935000

Reported concern

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."

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: WTZ-85

Read campaign 18V935000 at NHTSA
Nov 1, 2018 Safety recallELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARECampaign 18V773000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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 campaign: WTW-82

Read campaign 18V773000 at NHTSA
Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

432 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.

Aug 21, 2026 OtherSubaruNet Announcement (CThis Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.NHTSA ID 11036804

This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036804 at NHTSA
Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions16-158-26This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.NHTSA ID 11036814

This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036814 at NHTSA
Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions16-156-25RThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.NHTSA ID 11036810

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036810 at NHTSA
Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions16-154-25RThis Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.NHTSA ID 11036809

This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036809 at NHTSA
Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-308-23RThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent …NHTSA ID 11036807

This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036807 at NHTSA
Aug 20, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions16-132-20RThis Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. This…NHTSA ID 11036806

This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036806 at NHTSA
Aug 13, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-304-22RThis Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)NHTSA ID 11036796

This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036796 at NHTSA
Aug 5, 2026 OtherArticle LocatorTechtips newsletter locator index.NHTSA ID 11036794

Techtips newsletter locator index.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036794 at NHTSA
Aug 1, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions15-333-25RThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletinNHTSA ID 11036789

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11036789 at NHTSA
Jun 12, 2026 OtherSubaruNet Annoucement (EThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.NHTSA ID 11034249

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034249 at NHTSA
Jun 2, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions16-156-25RThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)NHTSA ID 11034242

This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034242 at NHTSA
Jun 1, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions02-195-26This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.NHTSA ID 11034240

This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034240 at NHTSA
Browse all manufacturer records by page

Records below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.

04 / Agency investigations

Official inquiries.

An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.

No investigation records matched this model-year in the snapshot.

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