2018 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
- 12
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 12 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Since the car has been brand new, a half gallon of coolant has needed to be added to the car on a monthly basis. No leaks have been detected. There has always been a very strong odor of burning coolant. Dealer states this is normal for the 2.5l engine, so there is nothing to repair, just keep an eye on the coolant level. I filed a complaint with subaru of north america, and received a similar response. Both the…
ODI 11287567
Engine
While driving, the vehicle started to lose power and engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was parked and upon inspection of the engine the engine had caught fire. The fire grew and the car was demolished as a result of an engine fire. The vehicle was in perfect working order before the fire, well maintained and had low mileage for a one year old vehicle.
Fire reported
ODI 11204081
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
I was driving through an intersection when the engine stalled with 1/8th of a tank of gas remaining. Gas light came on only a few miles prior. Luckily i was able to coast into a gas station. Car started after turning off and back on. Only took 16.9 gallons to top off. This is the second time this has happened. The previous time the miles to empty was showing 50 when it stalled. I was told by the dealership that…
ODI 11173593
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I drove to a nearby town, indicator said 40 miles to go before empty. Parked. Restarted the car after half an hour. Most of center display functions were dead. It did show back-up view, but no radio, no map. Drove toward home and gas station. After twenty miles, on cruise control at 70mph on highway, engine suddenly started racing as though it had down shifted, i braked and headed for the shoulder. No turn signals,…
ODI 11163822
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
** 2018 subaru outback ** this has happened three times** driving car when car shuts off complete loss of power engine turns off without warning at various speeds - seems to occur when the low fuel warning system turns on at 1/4 tank of gas. This 3rd time almost got me killed traveling at 45mpg when it happened today inside a major intersection. Software / sensor for the low fuel system? Something is very seriously…
ODI 11139365
Electrical System · Engine · Unknown Or Other
I recently purchased a 2018 outback. I was driving it going about [redacted] by my house and it shut down out of nowhere, dash lights came on, gas pedal wouldn't work, the only way i got it to go was shutting it off completely and restarting it. They car has 3500 miles, i dropped it off at the dealership on 8/25 and they have had it since. They replaced the fuel pump saying it was the cause of it shutting down on…
ODI 11132656
Electrical System · Engine
Vehicle developed drip from transmission approximately mid june 2018. Took to dealer & unable to find source after 11 days in shop. They put dye in and i drove until 7-30-18 when drip returned. Car in shop 6 days for new transmission. Car returned 8-9-18. 11 days later 8-21-18 major oil leak & vehicle towed to dealership. As of 8-24-18 they are still attempting to locate leak. Will have to pull engine. May not get…
ODI 11122165
Engine · Power Train
Vehicle in motion approximately 30-40 mph in regular street driving. The car has felt as if the engine was about to stall or as if the transmission was seizing up. This occurred a few times. A bit unnerving because it happened with moving traffic behind, in front and to the sides.
ODI 11149974
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
I was driving my child to school on a rainy morning in traffic,20-30mph on a straight road. The car stalled and then the engine shut off. (i am lucky i did not get rear ended; otherwise i would be in the hospital getting my child checked out.) rolled over to the side of the road; as close as i could get.. Shifted into park and restarted the car. Started right up. I had a quarter tank of gas and drove three miles…
ODI 11081469
Engine
Subaru is selling new vehicles with inadequate amounts of coolant in the engines cooling system. This has caused an immediate need for coolant being added as residual air in the system in expelled to the reservoir. If a customer follows subarus guidance for time/mileage to first inspection they risk having the car overheat/stall while driving potentially cause bodily and/or property damage. I brought this issue up…
ODI 11114263
Engine
Engine cuts off unexpectedly while driving down the road. I'm able to restart after pulling off the side of the road. February 22 and march 24, 2018 were the first two times the issue happened. I took my car to the dealership, and they said subaru was aware of the issue. They told me to keep my gas above half a tank. The issue hasn't happened since i started keeping my gas half full. The 'miles to empty' gage is…
ODI 11102683
Engine · Power Train
Vehicle uses coolant at an alarming rate which has nearly lead to overheating and stalling while driving. Transmission disengages while at highway speeds when trying to pass making the maneuver unsafe. Manufacturer refuses to look at car again, already been in shop 4 times.
ODI 11181121