Overall rating (best variant)
Safety ratings
2018 Subaru Outback SW AWD
- Lane departure warningOptional
- Forward collision warningOptional
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICESCampaign 18V935000 · 31/12/2018
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 21V587000 · 29/07/2021
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.
Fix: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARECampaign 18V773000 · 01/11/2018
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.
Fix: 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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM175
- VISIBILITY/WIPER142
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER97
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM27
- ENGINE26
- STEERING23
- VISIBILITY23
- BACK OVER PREVENTION13
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/2025· SEAT BELTS,SEATS
This is a Base model automobile with manual seats. The right front passenger seat unlocked without warning during a quick deceleration. The seat slid forward on mounting rails and caused the front passenger to be squished between forward motion of seat and the seat belt. Lucky this was not a collision, but weight of seat moving forward & smashing passenger against seat belt was very uncormfortable. During a collision, this may have resulted in a serious injury. Seat bottom was replaced by dealer at my expense. I have kept defective seat bottom for further inspection. I have attached the repair invoice. Car has been used afterward without front passenger awaiting for part to be made available. Invoice incorrectly reports mileage. There is less that 15,000 miles on this car.
- 12/31/2024· TIRES
P225 65/R17 Multiple Sensor leaks, false TPM readings, on/off TPM signals.
- 12/31/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery continues to drain prematurely. It's been an issue since the very beginning of out ownership in June 2018. We replaced the battery after it would not hold a charge for more than two days. The replacement battery still wouldn't last for more than a day or two. Now in the cold weather it won't even last a day. Two days ago, I went in the grocery store for about 45 minutes and the battery was dead. I can't go anywhere without my portable jump starter.
- 12/31/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WIFE WAS DRIVING AND A SMALL STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD, LEAVING A SMALL CHIP IN THE GLASS. UPON TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER LATER, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
- 12/30/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment system freezes randomly causing screen to freeze including while backing up. This causes it to appear as though the back up camera is working when in reality it is not. Serious safety concern if cross traffic or children are not seen.
- 12/30/2021· VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield has had 3 different pressure cracks (there's never been any evidence of a chip or impact) and the cracks have all appeared spontaneously. The cracks spread quickly and end up having to be replaced. The first crack was in May 2018, the second was in March 2020, and the 3rd (most recent) happened December 30, 2021.
- 12/30/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK BELOW THE WIPER BLADE. IT WAS STATIONERY.
- 12/30/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
SMALL ROCK (MAYBE?) HIT WINDSHIELD AND IT IMMEDIATELY CRACKED. WAS DRIVING BACK FROM MEMPHIS, TN TO LITTLE ROCK, AR CHRISTMAS EVENING ON I-40. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 1.5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE.
- 12/30/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
LIKE OTHER LATE MODEL SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS, A SPONTANEOUS CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CRACK APPEARED AT APPROXIMATELY NOON ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2019 IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RESTAURANT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM TOMORROW AT THE SUBARU DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE INITIAL INDICATION IS THAT THE CRACK MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUE AND PERHAPS TO RECOVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR ,IF INCURRED, FROM SUBARU.
- 12/30/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE OWNED TWO OUTBACKS A 2016 AND 2018 AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OF FRONT WINDOWS WILL WORK AND THEN FOR WHAT EVER REASON I WILL ROLL WINDOW UP WITH POWER SWITCH AND WIND WILL AUTOMATICALLY ROLL HALF WAY DOWN AND STAY THERE IF I TRY TO ROLL IT UP AGAIN IT DOES THE SAME THING .UNTIL I PULL OVER STOP CAR AND RESET THE SWITCH THE WAY THE DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME TO DO ,THIS ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES SO I AM LEFT WITH MY WINDOW HALF WAY DOWN.THIS IS UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING AND MY WIFE IS TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION TO DRIVING WITH KIDS IN THE CAR .NOT TO MENTION LEAVING HER CAR WITH THE WINDOW DOWN UNSECECURED FOR SOMEONE TO GET IN HER CAR AND HIDE TO HARM HER ,MOST OF THE TIMES SHE CANNOT GET WINDOW TO RESET. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE,ONE DEALERSHIP HAS CLAIMED THAT IT IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX BUT THEY ARE UP NORTH I AM FAR SOUTH.
- 12/29/2023· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCECrash
On 12/28/2023 my 2018 Subaru Outback without warning suddenly accelerated on its own, causing my vehicle to hit the curb and ran into a building.
- 12/29/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My sunroof spontaneously combusted while driving, without anything hitting the vehicle or any pre-existing damage. The glass shattered everywhere while going down the highway.
- 12/28/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
CRACKED WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CRACK SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD.
- 12/28/2018· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V773000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (SUBARU OF SANTA CRUZ, 4100 AUTO PLAZA DRIVE, CAPITOLA, CA 95010) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- 12/28/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT, THE FUEL RANGE DROPPED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED, BUT NO ONE ANSWERED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE FOR ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE DARKNESS. THE CONTACT CALLED TRIPLE A AND WAS PROVIDED SOME FUEL TO DRIVE HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V773000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GROOVE SUBARU (720-279-9409, LOCATED AT 5300 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,500. ..*BF*JB *DT
- 12/28/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I DROVE TO A NEARBY TOWN, INDICATOR SAID 40 MILES TO GO BEFORE EMPTY. PARKED. RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER HALF AN HOUR. MOST OF CENTER DISPLAY FUNCTIONS WERE DEAD. IT DID SHOW BACK-UP VIEW, BUT NO RADIO, NO MAP. DROVE TOWARD HOME AND GAS STATION. AFTER TWENTY MILES, ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RACING AS THOUGH IT HAD DOWN SHIFTED, I BRAKED AND HEADED FOR THE SHOULDER. NO TURN SIGNALS, NO INDICATORS, NO EMERGENCY FLASHERS - IT SEEMED THAT THE COMPUTER CRASHED WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS. AFTER ADDING GAS AND RESTARTING, ALL WAS NORMAL EXCEPT THE THE RADIO MEMORY HAD BEEN WIPED.
- 12/28/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN 2018 A NEW LAW WENT INTO EFFECT REQUIRING ALL NEW CARS CONE WITH REAR BACKUP CAMERAS. THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM THAT IS ON ALL NEW SUBARUS ARE DEFECTIVE, BUGGY, AND SUBARU HAS NO PERMANENT FIX. IT RENDERS THE REAR CAMERA UNOPERABLE, REPLACEMENTS ARE ON BACKORDER AND SUBARU MAKES OWNERS CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEIR CARD WHEN IT IS UNSAFE AND NOT FOLLOWING THE NEW LAW FOR 2018 CARS. I WANT SUBARU TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND PROVIDE AFFECTED OWNERS WITH LOANER CARS WHILE WAITING FOR A FIX/REPLACEMENT.
- 12/27/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery loses charge overnight for no reason. New battery placed in vehicle and same issue still present.
- 12/27/2019· STEERING
MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK DOES NOT HAVE STEERING ASSIST AND WAS PURCHASED NEW. AT ALL SPEEDS, THE STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE WHEN TRAVELING RESULTING IN A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE ROAD/WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR OFTEN FEELS LIKE IT IS HYDROPLANING OR WIND IS FORCING IT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DESPITE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS IN CALM WEATHER. THE STEERING IS ERRATIC AND IS ESPECIALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. ON SNOWY ROADS, THE CAR DRIFTS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS UNCONTROLLABLY STARTING TO SLIDE RESULTING IN AN OVER CORRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM IS TERRIFYING AND THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF HOW SUBARU ADVERTISES THE CAR PERFORMANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ONLY SAID IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT WHICH WE JUST HAD DONE THE PREVIOUS WEEK. SUBARU HAS HAD STEERING PROBLEMS BEFORE AND I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. IM SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL SINCE THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN DRIVING ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.
- 12/27/2019· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),VISIBILITY/WIPER
I FOUND A CRACK IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD (SUBARU OUTBACK 2018). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THE CRACK (HAIL STORM, ROCK/GRAVEL HITTING CAR). AT THIS TIME, THE CRACK HAS SPREAD AND THE SUBARU EYESIGHT PROGRAM (SENSOR PROGRAM) DOES NOT WORK.
- 12/27/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A ROCK OF PIECE OF GRAVEL HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/8" FROM THE TOP EDGE OF THE GLASS IMMEDIATELY RESULTING IN A CRACK WHICH WITHIN HOURS SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD.
- 12/27/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHBOARD TOLD ME I HAD 20 MILES WORTH OF FUEL LEFT WHEN SUDDENLY THE INDICATOR CHANGED TO A DASH AND THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY, THANKFULLY IN THE SLOW LANE.
- 12/26/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
A SMALL ROCK OR PIECE OF GRAVEL HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 3" FROM THE TOP EDGE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY A 12" LONG CRACK DEVELOPED AND HAS CONTINUED TO SPREAD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 16 MONTHS.
- 12/24/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
SUDDEN CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKS OR PEBBLES HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IN THE MORNING I ENTERED MY VEHICLE (THAT WAS STATIONARY ALL NIGHT) AND NOTICED A 2 INCH CRACK THAT DIDN'T EXIST THE DAY BEFORE. BY AFTERNOON, THE CRACK GREW TO ALMOST HALF THE WINDSHIELD AND WE NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. GLASS CLAIM WAS PLACED VIA GEICO WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD.
- 12/24/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR NO REASON. ALSO, RADIO IS CONTINUALLY DEFUNCT.
- 12/24/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OUR 2018 OUTBACK ALMOST KILLED MY HUSBAND. HE WAS GETTING INTO THE CAR (IT WAS RUNNING) AND JUST OPENED THE DOOR, WHEN THE CAR ROLLED BACK. HE WAS PINNED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE GARAGE FRAME AND FORTUNATELY THE HE WAS ABLE TO ROLL INTO THE GARAGE. HE HIT SO HARD AND LANDED ON THE SIDE OF HIS MOUNTAIN BIKE (WAS INSIDE THE DOOR) THAT IT PUNCHED A HOLE THROUGH THE WALL. I CAME OUT TO FIND HIM LAYING ON THE GROUND IN THE GARAGE AND THE CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY JUST OUTSIDE THE GARAGE. THERE IS A NATURAL SLOPE AND IT WAS STOPPED WHERE IT LEVELS OFF. THE DOOR ENDED UP BEING CAUGHT ON THE FRAME OF THE GARAGE AND OPENED ALL THE WAY AND THEN SOME BEFORE SLAMMING BACK. THE DOOR IS NOT FUNCTIONAL AND IT DAMAGED THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL AS WELL AS THE DRIVER DOOR. THIS IS MY 3RD OUTBACK AND I AM BEYOND HORRIFIED OF THIS CAR! WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM IT SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT AND I AM READY TO GET RID OF THIS ONE! DO NOT BUY THIS YEAR! THERE WAS A RECALL ON AN EARLIER YEAR OUTBACK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AS THEY WERE DOING THE SAME THING, ROLLING WHEN IN PARK. THIS CAR COULD HAVE KILLED HIM AND HE IS FORTUNATE HE WAS ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM THE CAR AND THE FRAME. I CALLED SUBARU THIS MORNING AND HAVE A CASE SO WE SHALL SEE IF I HAVE TO GET LEGAL INVOLVED OR NOT.
- 12/24/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A TINY CHIP THAT SPREAD RAPIDLY TO ABOUT 2FEET IN LENGTH OVER 4 DAYS. THIS IS MY SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. THE OUTBACK WINDSHIELD DESIGN IS WEAK, AND IN MY OPINION DANGEROUS. OTHER OUTBACK OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE
- 12/23/2021· VISIBILITY/WIPER
My husband and I were driving on the freeway at 10:05 am on 12/23/21. Suddenly we heard a slight noise that emanated from the windshield. I 13 1/2 inch crack appeared on the passenger side windshield. Upon closer inspection there is a minute ding mark near the bottom of the windshield that may have been caused by a very small pebble, causing the windshiedl to crack upon impact. The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety concerns are visibility of the road, other vehicles, and possible Eyesight system failure that is embedded in the windshield. I am reporting this prior to any inspection. I will now call the insurance and the manufacturer for repair. There was no warning system of any kind.
- 12/23/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
IN AUGUST 2019 DRIVING AT ABOUT 40MPH ON A SAMLL COUNTRY ROAD A VERY SMALL PIECE OF GRAVEL STUCK WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN 20 MINUTES IT EXPANDED TO A CRACK OVER 18 INCHES LONG. JUST FIVE MONTHS LATER ON DECEMBER 22 DRIVING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON INTERSTATE 5 ANOTHER SMALL STONE STRUCK WIND SHIELD AND WITHIN 30 MINUTES A CRACK FORMED ALMOST 14 INCHES. BOTH WINDSHIELDS WERE SUBARU OEM PARTS.
- 12/23/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE WINDSCREEN CRACKED ABOUT TWO INCHES. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE TOP DOWN IN A STRAIGHT LINE. NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR ME. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSCREEN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY SIXTY MILES PER HOUR EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 270 JUST EAST OF INTERSTATE 70. ABOUT 7:30 IN THE MORNING.
- 12/23/2019· VISIBILITY/WIPER
A CRACK IN WINDSHIELD JUST APPEARED AND STARTED TO SPREAD SO WE TOOK IT TO MARK'S MOBILE GLASS IN JEFFERSON CITY, MO TO GET REPLACED.
- 12/22/2021· STRUCTURE
Rock hit windshield and cracked windshield, from a small rock cracking the windshield and leaving this much damage if it was a bigger one it could have gone through and hurt us. This will be the second time I’ll have to repair the windshield.
- 12/22/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INFORMATION SYSTEMS FAIL TO REBOOTING. BACKUP CAMERA FAILS ETC
- 12/22/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENTIRE CENTER RADIO CLUSTER HAS FAILED. CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE AND GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED CAR AND ENTIRE UNIT WAS BLACK. THIS IMPACTS RADIO, HANDS FREE CELLULAR PHONE USE, NAVIGATION, BACK UP CAMERA AND WARNING SYSTEM, VEHICLE NOTIFICATIONS, STAR LINK PROGRAM. THIS MAY SOUND JUST LIKE A MINOR THING BUT THIS HAS SIGNIFICANT SAFE OPERATION IMPACTS IN REGARDS TO TRAFFIC AND DRIVING, CELL PHONE USE AND NAVIGATION OF THE VEHICLE.
- 12/21/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY DISCHARGES AFTER CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS OR AFTER SHORT TRIPS. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE BATTERY. HIGHLY ANNOYING. HAVE PURCHASED A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER SO I DON'T GET STRANDED. I HAVE USED THE JUMP STARTER TO START THE CAR AT HOME AND WHILE AWAY FROM HOME.
- 12/21/2018· VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 WINDSHIELD CRACKS IN LOWER PORTION OF WINDSHIELD DURING 1ST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. BOTH CRACKS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN ~35 MPH, ONCE DURING A 100 DEGF SUMMER DAY, AND THE OTHER DURING A 40 DEGF RAINY WINTER MORNING. INSPECTION OF CRACK AFTER STOPPING SHOWED POSSIBLE ORIGINATION FROM ~1MM CHIPS. DURING THE SUMMER, THE FIRST CHIP, LOCATED IN THE DE-ICER AREA, GREW RAPIDLY TO A CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITH A LOUD 'POP' SOUND AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON HIGH USING DEFROSTER AIR MODE. SUBARU OF AMERICA (NOT THE DEALER) REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AS A 'GOODWILL' REPAIR. DURING THE WINTER, ANOTHER CHIP BETWEEN THE VIN# DISPLAY WINDOW AND THE PERIMETER OF THE LOWER WINDSHIELD EXPLOSIVELY GREW TO A CRACK WHEN HEATED DEFROSTER AIR WAS ACTIVATED. REPAIR PENDING. MAIN CONCERN IS THE FRAGILE NATURE AND TEMPERATURE DEPENDANCE OF THIS GLASS TEMPER, ESPECIALLY NEAR WINDOW BOUNDARY CONDITIONS AND WHERE DEFROSTER AIR IS THE STRONGEST. OVER 20 YEARS OF DRIVING OTHER VEHICLES ON THE SAME ROUTE HAVE CAUSED LITTLE CHIPS ON OTHER WINDSHIELDS, BUT NEVER HAS A CHIP GROWN INTO A CRACK, WITH OR WITHOUT HOT OR COLD DEFROSTER AIR HITTING IT. I SUSPECT THAT THE THICKNESS AND TEMPER OF THE LATEST GENERATION OF OUTBACK CARLEX WINDSHIELDS WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE ISSUES SIMILAR TO TSB# 12-192-15R.
- 12/20/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING WHEN NOT USED AND THEN THE CAR REFUSES TO START AND I NEED TO GET JUMP START. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE MOVED URGENTLY
- 12/20/2017· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM TWICE IN TWO WEEKS BY DOING A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE IS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. A MORE CONCERNING ISSUE JUST STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAS APPLIED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOT HARD, JUST ENOUGH TO FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL JUMP TO THE RIGHT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH ON A STRAIGHT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
- 12/19/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS THAT OUR VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START. A WEEK AGO IT LEFT US STRANDED AT A WALMART, AND TODAY IN OUR DRIVEWAY...THERE ISN'T ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT WILL ENERGIZE. THE CAR WON'T EVEN RESPOND TO THE VEHICLE KEY FOB. WE CAN'T FIND ANY RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE...BUT WE NOTICE YOU HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS (401) WITH MANY BEING ELECTRICAL ISSUES ' FAILURES. THIS VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY DURING BOTH OF THE DESCRIBED ISSUES. I THINK THIS TIME TOTAL BATTERY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. PLEASE NOTE THERE WEREN'T ANY INDICATORS WARNINGS THAT THE BATTERY WAS GOING TO FAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD, WITH JUST UNDER 18,000 MILES NEVER DRIVEN ANYWHERE IN SNOW AREAS WHILE DEICERS WERE IN USE. WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU THIS AM FOR ASSISTANCE
- 12/19/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR STALLED AND RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN THE SYSTEM SAID I HAD 20 MILES LEFT. I WAS 2 MILES FROM HOME/GAS STATION. THIS HAPPENED AT A STREET LIGHT ON A BUSY STREET. I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY IN 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC.
- 12/18/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
HARMAN-KARDON AUDIO UNIT FAILURE AT 8,000 MILES. RESULTS IN LOSS A BASIC BACK UP CAMERA FUNCTION. EXTENSIVE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS VEHICLE-BASIC BACK UP CAMERA NOT WORKING.
- 12/17/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY GAS GAUGE SAYS I HAVE 95 MILES BEFORE INEED GAS HOWEVER MY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AT THAT TIME TELL ME TO GET GAS RIGHT AWAY
- 12/17/2018· VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THE DEALER (BRIGGS SUBARU OF TOPEKA, 3115 S KANSAS AVE, TOPEKA, KS 66611, (785) 581-0138) PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THE RECENT FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY SAFELIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,092.
- 12/17/2018· VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED FOR THE 2ND TIME NOW IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME IT CRACKED IT WAS BECAUSE OF A PEBBLE STRIKE FROM THE ROAD. EXTREMELY SMALL FRAGMENT STRUCK THE GLASS, MADE A POCK MARK, AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. TODAY, LESS THAN A MONTH LATER A NEW CRACK APPEARED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY STRIKE FROM AN OBJECT. SUBARU DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS STRUCK BUT FIND A CRACK ONLY WITHOUT ANY POINT ALONG IT OF AN IMPACT MAKES ME VERY VERY SUSPICIOUS. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO SETTLE ON CHARGES AND SEND A CHECK BEFORE THE NEXT WINDSHIELD CAN BE APPLIED. MY WIFE AND I WERE CALMLY DRIVING ON COMPLETELY PAVED ROADS WHEN WE BOTH WATCHED THE CRACK APPEAR AND GROW DURING OUR DRIVE. :-( I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 50+ YEARS, AND OWNED 20+ CARS. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN.
- 12/16/2020· VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND CRACK SPREAD ACROSS LINE OF SIGHT. MY CAR WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS CAR ON SAME ROUTE FOR 10 YEARS WITHOUT BROKEN WINDSHIELD
- 12/16/2020· VISIBILITY/WIPER
II WAS PARKED AT A FRIENDS RESIDENCE FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS. WHEN I LEFT AND WAS STILL ON HIS DRIVEWAY I SAW THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK IN IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE GOING UP ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUING TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT TEN INCHES. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING, THE CRACK APPEARED ON IT'S OWN.
- 12/15/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving my 2018 Subaru Outback on the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously shattered without warning. At the time of the incident, there were no nearby vehicles, road debris, or external factors that could explain the failure. This appears to be a dangerous and unexpected defect.
- 12/15/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2018 Subaru Outback has an infotainment display that has a Delaminating Screen issue, where the screen that controls so many aspects of the car's functionality (to include safety) is now becoming increasingly harder to see.
- 12/15/2023· VISIBILITY/WIPER
The new (replaced in Sept of 2023) OEM glass installed by Subaru cracked due to weather change while the vehicle was stopped. There was no prior damage to the windshield nor warning this would happen.
- 12/15/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE BATTERY IS STILL DEAD IF I DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 3 DAYS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAIN. I DON'T HAVE AN OPTIONS OR ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT DID COME WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED.