2018 Subaru Outback MPG
Across its 2 EPA-rated versions, the 2018 Subaru Outback returns 20–25 mpg city, 27–32 highway and 22–28 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive and is rated 22 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular · 320 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 398 g CO₂/mi |
2018 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2018 Subaru Outback costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $640 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2018 Subaru Outback specs
2018 Subaru Outback buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with a CVT, with all-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2018 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 816 complaints about the 2018 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (27% of component mentions), followed by visibility/wiper (23%) and fuel/propulsion system (4%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 90 complaints a year: about as many as the 2017 (91 a year) and fewer than the 2019 (128 a year).
That ranks 5th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 816, 27 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 10 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 269 | 27% |
| Visibility/wiper | 234 | 23% |
| Unknown or other | 162 | 16% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 4% |
| Visibility | 41 | 4% |
| Engine | 37 | 4% |
| Steering | 36 | 4% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 23 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 2% |
| Back over prevention | 20 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 2% |
| Structure | 15 | 1% |
| Power train | 14 | 1% |
| Wheels | 12 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | <1% |
| Suspension | 9 | <1% |
| Air bags | 8 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 8 | <1% |
| Seats | 8 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Shell carry handle | 1 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The 8-inch Gen 3 Harman STARLINK touchscreen is delaminating/bubbling. It registers phantom touch inputs and becomes unresponsive on its own while the vehicle is in motion, changing audio, navigation, and system settings without driver input. …
This is the third time my windshield has cracked in the last three years.
Driving slowly in a parking lot, I applied the brakes as I approached a parking space. Instead of slowing down, the car inexplicably accelerated quickly and did not respond to increased pressure on the brakes. …
2018 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Subaru Outback.
The most recent, campaign 21V587000 from July 2021, concerns gasoline fuel system.
Gasoline fuel system accounts for 2 of the 3 campaigns, more than any other area.
18V935000 · December 31, 2018 · Visibility
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
18V773000 · November 1, 2018 · Electrical system, Gasoline fuel system
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V587000 | July 29, 2021 | Gasoline fuel system | 2018–2020 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2018 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2018 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2018 Subaru Forester (28 mpg), 2018 Mazda CX-5 (29 mpg) and 2018 Nissan Rogue (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 28 | 510 | 42 | 5 |
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
| 2017 | 28 | 919 | 91 | 4 |
| 2018 | 28 | 816 | 90 | 3 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1,036 | 128 | 3 |
| 2020 | 29 | 901 | 127 | 6 |
| 2021 | 29 | 298 | 49 | 4 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Subaru Outback has 90 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (5th most of 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2018 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (269), visibility/wiper (234) and fuel/propulsion system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–28 mpg combined (20–25 city, 27–32 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Outback per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).