2018 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 1%of 816 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the suspension of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 816 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles.
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.
“Driver side front wheel/suspension is making rattling noise while driving at any speed. The noise is worse when hitting uneven surfaces on the road (like a repair spot or transition from concrete to asphalt) . The front-end sounds loose, and there is a slight vibration when driving at higher speeds. We have taken our car into the dealer multiple times and they say all is ok and the noise is as intended by the manufacturer. We do not feel safe in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11149643, filed 2018-11, 300 miles“I have had steering issues with this car since day one, the dealer told me I had to get use to it. Car pulled to the right and at higher speeds you feel like you were hydroplaning-no control then steering would come back. Brought the car back to dealer and they made adjusts to the alignment and doesn't pull to right as bad. But the feeling of hydroplaning still exists and the dealer can not duplicate problem .they tell me its within Subaru's specifications there is a real problem with this car since date of service 3-12-18”
NHTSA complaint #11149896, filed 2018-11, 200 miles“Bought car new, 7 miles on odometer. Took car into autonation Subaru - centennial colorado for noise complaint in driver-side front when going over a bump. Missing parts were noticed by shop. Shop said it was completely fixed, but we still had this noise, it was just quieter. Vehicle felt like alignment was off, as it shakes at highway speeds. Car makes tire squealing noise when turning in and out of parking spots at low speeds. Took car back to dealer shop many times for over 1 year. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265954, filed 2019-10, 7 miles“Bought vehicle used one owner no previous occurances, 8000 miles recorded. Gradually, a rumbling sound comes from front driver side when turning wheel on flat dirt driveway predominantely. Concurrent noise from dash. At 10,000 miles the car now makes rumbling noise at low speeds while traveling in straight line on good pavement (inaudible at high speeds) same front right location, dash was repaired replacing speaker grills and still makes rattling noise after fixing. Rumbling noise from drivers left front area checked by dealer and reported nothing looked wrong. Noise continues from dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289126, filed 2019-12, 8,200 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly jerked from side to side and became very unstable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500.”
NHTSA complaint #11196942, filed 2019-04, 2,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027076Dec 8, 2025This bulletin announces availability of new front wheel hub assemblies incorporating bearing surfaces having increased resistance to imperfections resulting from shock loads.
- 11008259Sep 4, 2024This bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
- 11005593Jul 8, 2024This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
- 10225740Oct 3, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
- 10216969Jul 5, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 15 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% |
| 2010 | 26 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 14 | 11% |
| 2006 | 37 | 13% |
| 2005 | 56 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 19 | 11% |
| 2000 | 24 | 12% |
| 1999 | 13 | 12% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
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 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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