2018 Subaru Outback Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 1%of 816 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the wheels of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 816 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,200 miles. 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.
“Tire tread began separating from sidewall within 1100 miles. The tire is a bridgestone dueler h/p 225/60 r18. The car was purchased new from a a Subaru dealer on 03/24/2018 with this tire installed as standard equipment. I noticed this problem when returning to my car while it was parked.”
NHTSA complaint #11092070, filed 2018-05, 1,122 miles“Windshield cracked for no reason on july 25,2019. Pulled out of my driveway and headed down the street when it was starting to crack. Toke a picture when I got to work. First time in over 40 years of driving to ever have a windshield crack.”
NHTSA complaint #11377053, filed 2020-11, 15,000 miles“I have always wanted a 3.6l and this is my first 3.6l 6 cylinder 2018 Subaru Outback! Am disappointed with few problems: the front seating is not comfortable and not supportive at all, especial in hard turns the seats will not hold you in place, the seat bed is to short and does not support long legs if you are over 5 feet tall. For some reason this is my 3rd Subaru 2nd Outback that has wheel alignment problem right out of the box!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11120423, filed 2018-08, 250 miles“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“Smoke electrical short issue in driver side mirror. Diagnosed by Subaru mechanic to be a short in the approach light module. Significant smoke was emitted from mirror with burn marks on bottom inside middle of mirror. The car had just came to rest in a hospital parking deck. Car was removed from deck in order to prevent fire hazard. Note - a 10 amp fuse did blow which caused a failure of the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) and the remote lock/unlock system.”
NHTSA complaint #11207532, filed 2019-05, 32,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 11 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 8 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 9 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 7% |
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 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