2018 Subaru Outback Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 2%of 816 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,425miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 816 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,425 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Didn't have any cracks in the windshield when I arrived at work, parked, and went inside for 8 for my shift. At the end of the day when I came out to the car and got in to go there was a single long curving crack that was over 12 inches long. Didn't see any impact marks or other reason that it may have cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #11408303, filed 2021-04, 50,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11383839, filed 2020-12, 2,000 miles“I was parking my 2018 Subaru Outback premium next to my house on my parking spot, my foot was on a brake pedal, it left around 50'' to complete a parking, like suddenly my car start moving forward even that I was strongly pressing brake pedal, car went over curb and hit a palm tree that is next to my parking spot. Car suddenly accelerated and I was not able to control the car. Car front bumper, grill, radiator was damaged. Today, my car is in body shop. It was very scare experience. From my background I am driving 12 years without any car accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11414800, filed 2021-05, 30,850 miles“Within the first year of owning the Outback I had to have the infotainment head unit replaced twice. I am still having issues where the radio will come on but there is no sound, the radio will turn on full blast after a hanging up from a call, back up camera will be black upon backing up, screen will freeze, steering will lock up when backing out of my driveway, and after my 36k mile maintenance now my car is making a strange humming noise. There are so many complaints about this car and nothing is being done about it. Subaru needs to provide more than a puny extended warrenty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405830, filed 2021-03, 600 miles“About 8 months ago I was turning into a space in the parking lot of a large store (Kohls) the car lunged forward on it's own when I took my foot off the accelerator. I was able to stop the car with the brake pedal before ramming a lamp post. I did not report it to a dealership. Nothing like it has happened in the 8 months/3000 miles of driving since. It took me completely by surprise without any indication of system failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11518391, filed 2023-04Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 11021263Jul 29, 2025This announcement provides information about a Subaru of America, Inc. preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding the EyeSight system in certain Subaru vehicles.
- 10243372Sep 11, 2023This Bulletin announces additional information regarding error codes 1403- 1407 encountered when attempting an adjustment/calibration of the EyeSight® system after body repair…
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 19% |
| 2025 | 21 | 25% |
| 2024 | 18 | 17% |
| 2023 | 22 | 25% |
| 2022 | 23 | 5% |
| 2021 | 29 | 10% |
| 2020 | 49 | 5% |
| 2019 | 36 | 3% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 7 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru Outback
273 complaintsElectrical system
267 complaintsOther or unknown
163 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsWheels
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback
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