2018 Subaru Legacy: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2026
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2026
“Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“The radio on this model, just as some of the later Subaru models, does things on its own, such as switches channels, or become totally non-responsive to touch. This began a few weeks ago and the radio is pretty much useless, unless reprogrammed or replaced. I stopped into Hodges subaru last week and described the problem and I was told that the issue sounded like the 2019-2023 models having the same issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2025
“STarrlink Infotainment System (DEFECTIVE) FREEZING MALFUNCTIONING,BACK UP/REVERSE (SCREEN) BLACK OUT 's, CONSTANT BEEPING THOUGH OUT CARS SPEAKERS;While DRIVING...(MAJOR) DISTRACTION & OTHER ISSUES... AFTERMARKET (SWAY BAR LINKS) WERE INSTALLED INSTEAD OF OEM..OFFICIAL SUBARU PARTS ..BY A OFFICIAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP! NAME: COLONIAL VOLKSWAGEN SUBARU... FEASTERVILLE TREVOSE ...ON DATE:1/08/2024 PA...#[XXX]... Finding as NOTED: BY WINNER SUBARU DOVER DELAWARE...ZIP:19901...#302-734-8200... SERVICE ADVISORY/TAG# BROOKE WILLIS/[XXX]... SERVICE DATE: 2/12/2025 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2024
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2024
“My car stereo has gone crazy causing major distractions while driving. Hands free calling doesn't work, in fact it calls random people on my call list. The screen dances and changes screens all by itself causing major distraction and it has almost caused an accident by the distraction. I've read that this issue is a known manufacturing issue and a class action lawsuit was brought against Subaru. I called Subaru and they have refused to give me a warranty radio even thou my dealer confirmed my radio is suffering from the De-lamination issue that's well known problem with my car.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Legacy by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Subaru Legacy reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Subaru Legacy. The most complained-about area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Legacy problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 20,950 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Subaru Legacy have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.