2018 Subaru Outback Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 816 owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Outback. The EPA rates it 22 to 28 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 816
- Crashes / fires reported
- 27 / 4
- EPA combined
- 22–28 MPG
2018 Subaru Outback recalls
Fuel System, GasolineJul 29, 2021 · NHTSA 21V587000+
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.
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.
VisibilityDec 31, 2018 · NHTSA 18V935000+
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.
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."
Electrical SystemNov 1, 2018 · NHTSA 18V773000+
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.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2018 Subaru Outback problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Electrical System267
- Visibility/Wiper234
- Unknown or Other162
- Fuel/Propulsion System43
- Visibility41
- Engine37
- Steering36
- Vehicle Speed Control21
2018 Subaru Outback gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AV-S7) | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6 cyl, Automatic (AV-S6) | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Outback, most recently for the fuel system, gasoline (Jul 29, 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners filed 816 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are electrical system (267), visibility/wiper (234), unknown or other (162).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru Outback get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Outback at 22 to 28 MPG combined (best version: 25 city / 32 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.