The 2018 Subaru Legacy has 3 safety recalls and 117 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (41 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
NHTSA recall 18V935000 · Dec 31, 2018 · 71,190 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 18V773000 · Nov 1, 2018 · 228,648 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Fuel system, gasoline
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2018 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.1%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Legacy AWD
29mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Legacy AWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument panel › Fuel gauge; 12v/24v/48v battery
41
0
1
0
15,365 mi
Unknown or other
29
1
1
1
12,700 mi
Visibility/wiper
25
0
0
0
23,500 mi
Engine
10
3
0
0
23,562 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
8
2
0
0
10,000 mi
Visibility Windshield; Sun/moon roof assembly
8
0
0
0
37,576 mi
Service brakes
5
3
0
0
—
Lane departure Warning; Blind spot detection
5
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
4
0
0
0
—
Steering
4
0
0
0
3,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
3
2
0
0
—
Air bags
3
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 24, 2025Power train 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.
Mar 6, 2026Electrical system 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.
Oct 1, 2025Electrical system The factory Harman Kardon Starlink touchscreen infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy has experienced severe touchscreen delamination. The display has developed widespread bubbling beneath the glass and now generates repeated "ghost touches" without any driver input. The system activates buttons, changes screens, opens menus, and performs functions on its own while the vehicle is being driven. These unintended inputs create a driver distraction and make it difficult to use navigation, audio, and vehicle information functions safely. This appears to be a known and widespread issue affecting 2018 Subaru Legacy vehicles equipped with Harman Kardon Starlink head units. The problem is…
Jul 1, 2024Unknown or other The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to pay and it's become a safety hazard, ect.
Apr 1, 2026Unknown or other 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.
Mar 2, 2026Electrical system Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.
Jan 20, 2026Electrical system The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences âghost touch,â where the screen registers inputs without driver interaction and becomes unresponsive. While driving, the screen changes settings on its own and distracts the driver. As a result of the touchscreen malfunction, critical safety features including Blind Spot Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance became disabled. This directly impacted safe vehicle operation. The issue was diagnosed by an authorized Subaru dealership, which confirmed the head unit is defective and requires replacement. Subaru previously issued a warranty extension for this known defect. Subaru of America denied goodwill assistance despite the…
Nov 21, 2025Unknown or other 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 complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
