2018 Subaru Legacy visibility & wipers problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

1. 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
2. Filed Oct 7, 2025CAOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers

   I have been going back and forth with Subaru of America's Advocacy department for about two weeks now, I purchased my 2018 Subaru legacy back in August of 2023. My head unit in my vehicle has now completely stopped working, I have explained that now my back up camera is now freezing and going black and that it poses a safety risk, but they are not helping me, all they keep telling me was the extended warranty for that specific issue expired in July of 2023. when I checked…

   NHTSA complaint #11691937 · source
3. Filed Aug 12, 2025NYElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11 months later [FEB 2025] in similar fashion, randomly one day.

   NHTSA complaint #11680122 · source
4. Filed Mar 22, 2023102,000 miNYVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the screen display went blank. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11513217 · source
5. Filed Nov 2, 202265,000 miCAVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the windshield fractured without impact on the lower passenger’s side of the windshield. The fracture started to spread up the windshield. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11491891 · source
6. Filed Nov 21, 2021TXElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   Window on right passenger door doesn't stay up when we close the window with the power window button. Sometimes at night the eyesight system turns off. At times the radio entertainment system doesn't want to work.

   NHTSA complaint #11441241 · source
7. Filed Nov 9, 202172,000 miWVVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal loud popping sound coming from the top of the vehicle. The contact stated that she pulled into the nearest gas station and noticed that the sunroof glass had shattered and fell onto the shade guard. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11439902 · source
8. Filed May 24, 2021NJVisibility & Wipers

   I have had the windshield replaced in this vehicle three times in less than one year. I recently took my car through a car wash that I use regularly and the next day, there was a new crack on the lower passenger side of the windshield. This is getting expensive to fix and seems to be a defect with the windshield.

   NHTSA complaint #11418337 · source
9. Filed May 13, 202134,000 miNCDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   Driving to work early this am no vehicles in front of me and all of a sudden a hear a small pop and look over to notice my passenger side windshield has a crack in it.

   NHTSA complaint #11416397 · source
10. Filed Feb 18, 202138,153 miCAVisibility & Wipers

    Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the contact noticed a small crack developed on the lower front windshield without impact. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,153.*dt*jb

    NHTSA complaint #11396768 · source
11. Filed Feb 11, 20217,000 miDEVisibility & Wipers

    Front windshield developed a tiny crack while driving on highway, which then quickly propagated throughout the windshield. Windshield was replaced at my expense.

    NHTSA complaint #11395730 · source
12. Filed Feb 6, 202125,000 miNJVisibility & Wipers

    After approximately 13 months, a replacement windshield has developed a crack again in the same location expanding to estimated 12 inches.

    NHTSA complaint #11394954 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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