Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Subaru Legacy problems

Owners filed 117 complaints about the 2018 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between Nov 2017 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (40).

Complaints
117
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system40
  2. Visibility/wiper25
  3. Engine10
  4. Fuel/propulsion system8
  5. Visibility8
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Lane departure4
  8. Structure4
  9. Steering4
  10. Suspension3
  11. Back over prevention3
  12. Air bags3
  13. Vehicle speed control3
  14. Power train2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20171
20187
201919
202017
202118
20227
202313
20246
202522
20267

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

40 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2026Electrical systemODI 11749001

Visibility/wiper

25 reports
“Following an engine-out service at an authorized dealer (Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru), a primary powertrain mounting bolt was left unthreaded by approximately 1 inch, creating an undetected 8,000-mile safety hazard that resulted in extensive drivetrain and suspension component failures. Subsequently, during a diagnostic inspection at another authorized dealer (All American Subaru), heavy rusted metal pliers and loose cowl trim panels were abandoned unsecured inside the wiper cowl tray beneath the windshield, posing a severe roadway projectile and steering/wiper obstruction hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Suspension, Power train, Visibility/wiperODI 11760077

Engine

10 reports3 crashes
“My wife experienced an unintended acceleration in her 2018 Subaru Legacy. My wife had begun to slowly back out of a parking space in a school parking lot when her 2018 Legacy went into an unintended rapid acceleration in reverse. The car took off in reverse and did not respond to her applying the brakes. Somehow she managed to steer the car which was rapidly acceleration in reverse, virtually uncontrollable, and guide the car down a row of parked cars until she clipped the front of another car at the end of the row and her car came to a stop. Thank God there were no students in the parking lot at the time! The floor mats in our Legacy are Subaru mats that lie flat and in no way would affect the accelerator pedal. As the car was accelerating in reverse, and she had removed her foot from the accelerator onto the brake, the brakes did not slow the car. There is considerable damage to the right rear of the car and trunk. After the accident, when the car was restarted, the accelerator and brakes worked fine and she was able to drive it home from the scene. Thank god students were not in the parking lot! [XXX] [XXX] (cell) [XXX] Nashua, NH 03062 (May-Oct), Ponte Vedra, FL (Nov-April)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2025Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11694618

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports2 crashes
“I have a 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5. The front catalytic converter failed April 2022 with 130k miles. the part was replace by Subaru and the part has failed again. Oct 2023 with 180k miles. Exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment (which are Carbon Monoxide). The same part has failed two times in a short period of time. Subaru states this is not a warranty issue .This must become a recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2023Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11553381

Visibility

8 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the screen display went blank. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2023VisibilityODI 11513217

Service brakes

5 reports3 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2025Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11682969
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.