Is the 2018 Subaru Outback a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B7.5/10
The 2018 Subaru Outback is a solid choice for families or anyone needing decent capability with comfort.
Get the full AI verdict — free
Pros
- All-wheel drive standard
- Spacious cargo area
- Good safety features
Cons
- Mediocre acceleration
- Some reliability concerns with older CVTs
- Oil consumption issues in some engines
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
25 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
250,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Oil consumption
- Transmission shuddering
- Battery issues
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (3)
The 2018 Subaru Outback has 3 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump (campaign 21V587000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- 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 disp…
- 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…
- Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump — 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 …
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
Compare similar cars
This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.