2018 Subaru Legacy Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,562miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, 9% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,562 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On the dashboard showed that the remain mileage was 70, but it stopped all the sudden due to no gas. I almost caused an accident because the car stopped on a public street with heavy traffic. After many times trying to start the car, it did not work; it was completely dead. I had to leave the car stranded to go and get gas to the nearest gas station.”
NHTSA complaint #11170153, filed 2019-01, 15,365 miles“P014a error code. Started car and was about 1/8 mile away from home driving at 40 MPH on country road, and all the lights came on the dash (check engine, eyesight off warning light, battery, oil, etc...). Immediately turned around and went home. My obdii scanner said p014a error. I reset the code. Called dealer to see if it was safe to drive and drop off (30 miles away) and they said yes. They then said if they cannot read the code they cannot do anything about it (because I reset it and it is not historically saved in the car). …”
NHTSA complaint #11360391, filed 2020-09, 29,000 miles“While exiting off highway, the can unexpectedly shut off nearly causing a wreck. Car would not restart. The entertainment screen remained working the entire time. The instrument cluster went black and remained this way. Automatic windows, entertainment screen, radio all worked but car would not start. A similar issue had happened two weeks ago but we were not driving... The car would not start and a master Subaru tech looked at car and they said nothing was wrong with it.. Obviously they were wrong. Very disappointed in Subaru. This is a very dangerous issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11208538, filed 2019-05, 18,125 miles“For context, we are the original owners of the 2018 Subaru Legacy car (leased in 2018, and then purchased outright in 2022). At the time of the incident, the car was in pristine condition. We had the oil changed in accordance with the maintenance agreement during the lease, and then every 6,000 miles or whenever the dealership called us to bring in the car. The car had 39,000 miles on it at the time of the incident and had an oil change as recently as 2.5 months prior. …”
NHTSA complaint #11633995, filed 2025-01“I have a 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5. The front catalytic converter failed April 2022 with 130k miles. the part was replace by Subaru and the part has failed again. Oct 2023 with 180k miles. Exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment (which are Carbon Monoxide). The same part has failed two times in a short period of time. Subaru states this is not a warranty issue .This must become a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11553381, filed 2023-11Related service bulletins
- 11034240Jun 1, 2026This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
- 11033051May 1, 2026This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT)…
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11027081Dec 8, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11025790Nov 20, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11023536Sep 30, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address…
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017452Apr 22, 2025This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11016224Mar 24, 2025The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 50% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 6 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 23 | 14% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 18 | 27% |
| 2012 | 23 | 26% |
| 2011 | 22 | 13% |
| 2010 | 31 | 21% |
| 2009 | 7 | 11% |
| 2008 | 4 | 6% |
| 2007 | 7 | 21% |
| 2006 | 16 | 18% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 3 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Legacy
40 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology