The 2018 Subaru Outback is a suv from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2018 Outback VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (16.3%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Buy window: across this model line, the yearly price drop visibly flattens around 9 years of age — the observed point where each extra year of ownership costs the least in depreciation.
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Subaru Outback is a suv sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2018
Make
Subaru
Model
Outback
Body
SUV
Country of origin
Japan
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
NHTSA safety ratings
★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal
★★★★★
Side
★★★★☆
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2018 Subaru Outback
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 2018 Outback (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $22,899 at roughly 35,448 miles, based on 90 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$22,899
Median mileage
35,448
Sample: 90 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
Median used price by state — 2018 Outback
States with the most listings for this model year (Craigslist 2020–2021 snapshot; only states with enough listings to quote):
Source: Craigslist used listings (2020–2021 snapshot). Regional variation reflects local supply and demand, not vehicle condition.
NHTSA safety recalls — 2018 Subaru Outback
3
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Subaru dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
Campaign: 18V935000 · Filed: 31/12/2018
Defect description: 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."
Consequence: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Corrective action: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Campaign: 18V773000 · Filed: 01/11/2018
Defect description: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Corrective action: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign: 21V587000 · Filed: 29/07/2021
Defect description: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: 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.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2018 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2018 Outback
812
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
VISIBILITY/WIPER — 210 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 197 reports
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 100 reports
SEAT BELTS,SEATS — 12/31/2025
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
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.
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2018 Subaru Outback owners & buyers
The 2018 Outback is a SUV. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2018 Outback?
Yes — 3 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 2018 Subaru Outback reliable?
How long a used Subaru Outback lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2018 Outback?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Subaru or any government agency.
