2018 Subaru Legacy Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, 2% of the 117 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, 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.
“The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I haves a few other issues I believe relate to the wiring inside the vehicle and due to the wiring, which caused the fire. I have tried to contact Subaru of America and let them know this and have had no luck with any type of help with other repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #11687253, filed 2025-09“The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to pay and it's become a safety hazard, ect.”
NHTSA complaint #11745102, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 12% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Legacy
40 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsEngine
10 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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