2018 Subaru Outback driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 4, 2026MDCrashBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Report on Accident [XXX] 4TH DISTRICT wHEATON MARYLAND [XXX] [XXX] I was driving west on [XXX] at approximately [XXX]. As I approached the intersection at [XXX] the TRAFIC light cars were stopped . I was in the left hand lane because I was going to turn on to [XXX] . As approached the intersection I applied the brakes the pedal went close to the floor but the car did not slow down. I tried pumping the brake pedal with no effect. No collosion avoidance alert To try and slow…

   NHTSA complaint #11742069 · source
2. Filed Apr 21, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Our Subaru backup camera screen is suffering from a factory defect delamination issue which has caused the screen to become hazy and difficult to see. In daylight, the screen is often completely obscured by the defect. Subaru issued a warranty extension from 2020 to 2023 due to class action litigation regarding this issue, but we were never made aware of the extension. Subaru has refused to repair this factory safety defect simply claiming it is out of warranty.

   NHTSA complaint #11732839 · source
3. Filed Apr 14, 2026MDDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The infotainment head unit in my 2018 Subaru Outback has experienced internal adhesive delamination, resulting in frequent "ghost touches" and unpredictable system malfunctions that pose a severe safety hazard. Most critically, the backup camera display intermittently disappears or freezes while the vehicle is in reverse, causing a total loss of rear visibility during low-speed maneuvering. While the vehicle is in motion, the unit executes unauthorized commands without…

   NHTSA complaint #11731085 · source
4. Filed Apr 8, 2026CTDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The head unit (infotainment system) in my vehicle is experiencing delamination, where the screen is peeling, separating, or forming bubbles. This causes: •Touchscreen malfunctions, making it difficult or impossible to operate controls such as audio, climate, navigation, and backup camera. •Distraction risk while driving due to unresponsive or erratic screen behavior. •Intermittent failure of vehicle systems that rely on the infotainment interface, increasing potential safety…

   NHTSA complaint #11730080 · source
5. Filed Apr 1, 2026OKDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Infotainment system is completely delaminated, and the backup camera is slow to start, if starts at all. System will go beserk, make calls, change stations, volume, navigation, and more.

   NHTSA complaint #11728516 · source
6. Filed Nov 4, 2025MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering

   While the lane keeping assistance is on the car will follow the exit lane beside the lane I’m in and jerk over into it. There has been a car beside me when has happened but I caught the steering wheel before a crash. Also if a car is turning in front of me sometimes, not always, the brakes will jam on when I’m not even close to the car that is turning but I would be going around the car after it has turned almost all the way. There has been no crashes or injuries yet.

   NHTSA complaint #11697314 · source
7. Filed Jul 18, 202520,000 miPADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the radio system display had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11674518 · source
8. Filed Jul 16, 2025OKDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   The infotainment system in the car has suffered from screen delamination, which is apparently common with these models. This has left the touchscreen both non-responsive to touch as well as randomly selecting items on the screen, rendering it unusable. This is a safety issue because the only way to deactivate Reverse Automatic Braking and the rear parking sensors is through the touchscreen. Being able to do this is essential when connecting a trailer or attempting to reverse…

   NHTSA complaint #11673897 · source
9. Filed Jul 15, 2025NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineOther / Unknown

   Arriving at my childhood home, I followed the driveway to the left to park in front of the garage door. With my foot on the brake and slowly rolling to a stop, the car suddenly accelerated and jolted forward making contact with the garage door and the frame of the garage. This caused damage to the house, garage door and the front of the car. Thankfully there was no other car in the way or a pedestrian! Only the house and car were damaged. This was sudden and there was no…

   NHTSA complaint #11673767 · source
10. Filed Jul 9, 202539,000 miTNDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display a rearview image, comprising the back over prevention system. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear-view camera. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11672269 · source
11. Filed Apr 22, 202574,000 miWVDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

    The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while reversing, the display screen image was glaring and cloudy. Additionally, the infotainment screen failed to function properly and made beeping sounds, distracting the contact while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the infotainment screen had delaminated and that the head unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware…

    NHTSA complaint #11656021 · source
12. Filed Nov 21, 2024SCDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    The screen that controls everything in the car is delaminating and it prevents the driver from being able to see the back up camera properly and is a distraction to drivers. This is a known issue with this year vehicle. Subaru won’t replace and only offered me 750 to get it fixed which means I would still have to come out of pocket $900 for a known defect. They are aware of the issue and have replaced some vehicles at no charge.

    NHTSA complaint #11626727 · 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