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2018 Subaru Legacy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

117 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
Unknown Or Other

The display screen for my radio navigation phone etc seems to have a “ghost”. Buttons will rapidly be selected switching radio stations or calling someone on my connected phone or switching to different options available on the screen. It is very distracting while driving and annoying when trying to use for navigation with phone…

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The display screen for my radio navigation phone etc seems to have a “ghost”. Buttons will rapidly be selected switching radio stations or calling someone on my connected phone or switching to different options available on the screen. It is very distracting while driving and annoying when trying to use for navigation with phone. It has been doing this for quite some time and occurs randomly. I’ve researched this issue online and this has happened to several owners.

NHTSA ODI #11691193

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

While Driving my car, i was not able to use the power locks for my front driver and passenger windows. The power window switch on the driver and passenger door don't work. I have made numerous calls about problems with my windows since I purchased my car, but always came back as the code was reset, and they fixed it temporaril…

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While Driving my car, i was not able to use the power locks for my front driver and passenger windows. The power window switch on the driver and passenger door don't work. I have made numerous calls about problems with my windows since I purchased my car, but always came back as the code was reset, and they fixed it temporarily. now i am looking at about a 1500 fix for the power windows, which has been a known problem for my car for years. I went to another shop and they told me this is a step below a recall, but subaru knows about it. to me it seems like this is a safety issue, since the windows cant roll down or up.

NHTSA ODI #11689396

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2025
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or OtherFire

The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I haves a few other issues I bel…

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The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I haves a few other issues I believe relate to the wiring inside the vehicle and due to the wiring, which caused the fire. I have tried to contact Subaru of America and let them know this and have had no luck with any type of help with other repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11687253

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels

I front passenger window stop working and does not roll up and down. I had this issue and reported the issue since I bought it brand new from the lot. I main main audio console has been replacement 2 times already from defectives. My tires TMPS is flashing now but my tire pressure are fine. My incline break button comes on by it…

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I front passenger window stop working and does not roll up and down. I had this issue and reported the issue since I bought it brand new from the lot. I main main audio console has been replacement 2 times already from defectives. My tires TMPS is flashing now but my tire pressure are fine. My incline break button comes on by itself from time to time and does not allow for me to move the car.

NHTSA ODI #11682969

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2025
Back Over Prevention

The infotainment head unit system and screen with the backup camera is completely malfunctioning. There have been instances where the screen glitches out while backing up and I have almost been in a collision. The head unit makes constant random noises, and screen pop ups that cannot be turned off. This makes for highly distr…

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The infotainment head unit system and screen with the backup camera is completely malfunctioning. There have been instances where the screen glitches out while backing up and I have almost been in a collision. The head unit makes constant random noises, and screen pop ups that cannot be turned off. This makes for highly distracted and unsafe driving as it makes it quite difficult for the car user to maintain sole focus and attention to the roadways and driving. The extreme glitchiness and phantom touches/noises are just as a distraction and safety concern as driving while using a cellphone which is against the law. The infotainment unit should be fully recalled, not just have a warranty extension. The Subaru dealership has inspected the head unit and declared the failure that was part of a now expired warranty extension. The failures came without warning; however the glitches have gotten more frequent and worse over time.

NHTSA ODI #11680921

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2025
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

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 …

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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 ODI #11680122

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2025
Back Over Prevention

Aug 2025: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 55,500 miles. ISSUE: Rearview camera froze with high-pitch sound for about 10-seconds, then shut off, while in Reverse. I was not aware immediately of this. Did not hit the cars behind me but definitely could have. Unknown if reverse lights affected. Based on online searches, rearview cameras not w…

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Aug 2025: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 55,500 miles. ISSUE: Rearview camera froze with high-pitch sound for about 10-seconds, then shut off, while in Reverse. I was not aware immediately of this. Did not hit the cars behind me but definitely could have. Unknown if reverse lights affected. Based on online searches, rearview cameras not working is criteria for a recall. BACKGROUND: My main screen is affected by Subaru Screen Delamination (can't use touch at all). My exact model got an extended warranty, but I was not aware of this extension until after it passed. Subaru of America and dealers refused to service it unless I paid full price out-of-pocket. Fast-forward to now, reverse camera being affected. I also see mention online of emergency broadcast radio being blocked, since it does not stay on one channel, due to screen issues. I do not recommend Subaru (not the only issue I've had on a once new vehicle).

NHTSA ODI #11680112

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2025
Equipment

Back side of the display has condensation bubble circles

NHTSA ODI #11676286

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2025
Electrical System

I am writing to raise a serious and ongoing issue regarding the infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy. The problem centers on the widespread and well-documented screen delamination defect, which has caused persistent and unsafe behavior in the vehicle’s head unit — a critical system affecting both usability and driver saf…

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I am writing to raise a serious and ongoing issue regarding the infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy. The problem centers on the widespread and well-documented screen delamination defect, which has caused persistent and unsafe behavior in the vehicle’s head unit — a critical system affecting both usability and driver safety. In my case, the screen began delaminating around the 100,000-mile mark, just outside the warranty. Since then, the problem has progressively worsened and now renders the infotainment system unusable. The screen ghost-touches and rapidly changes menus, inputs, and radio stations, often without any driver interaction. This is not merely an aesthetic defect — it poses a substantial safety hazard and functional impairment. Most alarmingly: The radio will change frequencies automatically, sometimes switching away from AM emergency broadcast channels without warning or input. This poses a clear safety concern in weather-related or disaster scenarios when access to emergency broadcasts is essential. The screen unpredictably shifts menus and settings while driving, creating a visual distraction that competes with the driver’s focus on the road. This is an unacceptable risk in a vehicle designed with safety as a brand hallmark. Hands-free and navigation functionality are affected, which may compel drivers to interact with the system in motion — violating hands-free laws in many states and contradicting Subaru’s commitment to safe vehicle design. The issue is widely reported across Subaru owner forums, independent shops, and social media. It is linked directly to a known defect in the Harman-made infotainment units used in 2018 models and related vehicles. This is not an isolated or unique case. Despite this known problem, Subaru of America continues to decline support for owners affected outside the extended warranty period. Even though the issue eventually effects every single model. Subaru cherry picks who they choose to repair after 100k

NHTSA ODI #11669523

30,000 miles · May 23, 2025
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the display touch screen laminated cover had developed bubbles, causing the touch screen to malfunction. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display erroneously turned on or erroneously turned off. During the failure, the touch screen feature was…

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The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the display touch screen laminated cover had developed bubbles, causing the touch screen to malfunction. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display erroneously turned on or erroneously turned off. During the failure, the touch screen feature was inoperable, and the driver was unable to access certain safety features within the settings on the display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the touch screen display unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11662729

Official recalls

3

21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V935000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices

Dec 31, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

18V773000 · Electrical System:software; Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 1, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.