2018 Subaru Legacy problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Legacy, most often about electrical system. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 90
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 6
Fires: 1
Injuries: 1
Median mileage: 29,000 mi

Key facts

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 31 of 90 complaints (34%).
Visibility & Wipers (30) and engine (7) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 29,000 mi.
Owners reported 6 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
The 2018 Subaru Legacy has 3 recalls on file.
It ranks 3rd of 21 Subaru Legacy model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 7% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (97).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Electrical system	30
Visibility/wiper	23
Unknown or other	23
Engine	7
Visibility:windshield	5
Fuel/propulsion system	4
Service brakes	4
Lane departure: warning	3

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Subaru Legacy complaints that list mileage.

2018 Subaru Legacy recalls (3)

Recall 21V587000Jul 29, 2021175,968 vehicles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Recall 18V935000Dec 31, 201871,190 vehicles
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Recall 18V773000Nov 1, 2018228,648 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Risk: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.

Recent 2018 Subaru Legacy complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Aug 27, 2026NJSuspensionTransmission & DrivetrainVisibility & Wipers
Following an engine-out service at an authorized dealer (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru), a primary powertrain mounting bolt was left unthreaded by approximately 1 inch, creating an undetected 8,000-mile safety hazard that resulted in extensive drivetrain and suspension component failures. Subsequently, during a diagnostic inspection at another authorized dealer (All American Subaru), heavy rusted metal pliers and loose cowl trim panels were abandoned unsecured inside the wiper cowl…
NHTSA complaint #11760077 · source
Filed Jul 8, 2026NYElectrical System
The vehicle on board video entertainment display has stopped working properly. It does not allow any input to the touch screen. And the only way to regain some functionality is by pressing the steering wheel source button. However it works intermittently. And this causes Driver Distraction while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11749001 · source
Filed Jun 19, 2026MNElectrical System
The factory Harman Kardon Starlink touchscreen infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy has experienced severe touchscreen delamination. The display has developed widespread bubbling beneath the glass and now generates repeated "ghost touches" without any driver input. The system activates buttons, changes screens, opens menus, and performs functions on its own while the vehicle is being driven. These unintended inputs create a driver distraction and make it difficult to…
NHTSA complaint #11745323 · source
Filed Jun 18, 2026MNElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown
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 · source
Filed Jun 8, 2026NJOther / Unknown
The car 2018 Subaru Legacy 2018, has touch screen delamination on thecentral information/ entertainment screen, which leads to screen freezing, unresponsiveness, and erratic "phantom" inputs. These malfunctions disable vital safety features, like backup cameras, etc.. Subaru has settled claims on this issue, for this vehicle/model, but I do not believe there is an official recall, even though there is obviously a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11742800 · source
Filed Apr 27, 2026CTElectrical System
Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.
NHTSA complaint #11733981 · source
Filed Jan 23, 2026GADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences “ghost touch,” where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This directly impacted safe vehicle operation. The issue was diagnosed by an authorized…
NHTSA complaint #11712979 · source
Filed Nov 22, 2025PAOther / Unknown
I experienced an incident of spontaneous acceleration of my vehicle on November 21, 2025. I was driving slowly with my foot on the brake as I was about to make a turn and the engine suddenly accelerated. I slammed down on the brake and the car stopped, but this was extremely frightening.
NHTSA complaint #11700941 · source

Compare the 2018 Subaru Legacy with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology