2018 Subaru Legacy electrical problems

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Electrical · NY

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.

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Electrical · MN

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 caused by touchscreen delamination and continues to worsen over time. Subaru of America was contacted regarding the defect but declined assistance. The vehicle currently has approximately 117,000 miles. The issue is not the result of damage, misuse, or modification of the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint because the touchscreen operates without driver input and creates a distraction while driving.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · MN

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.

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Electrical · CT

Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

The infotainment touchscreen in my 2018 Subaru Legacy experiences “ghost touch,” 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 safety-related nature of the defect.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Electrical · TX

While Driving my car, i was not able to use the power locks for my front driver and passenger windows. The power window switch on the driver and passenger door don't work. I have made numerous calls about problems with my windows since I purchased my car, but always came back as the code was reset, and they fixed it temporarily. now i am looking at about a 1500 fix for the power windows, which has been a known problem for my car for years. I went to another shop and they told me this is a step below a recall, but subaru knows about it. to me it seems like this is a safety issue, since the windows cant roll down or up.

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · WA · fire

The Driver Side Rear View when I started the Car back in January of 2024 after car had been running for 30 Seconds smoke and Fire flames were seen coming through that rear view mirror immediately contacted Subaru of America and was called back with urgency and they fixed this issue but since then I haves a few other issues I believe relate to the wiring inside the vehicle and due to the wiring, which caused the fire. I have tried to contact Subaru of America and let them know this and have had no luck with any type of help with other repairs.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · NY

MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11 months later [FEB 2025] in similar fashion, randomly one day.

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Electrical · PA

I am writing to raise a serious and ongoing issue regarding the infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy. The problem centers on the widespread and well-documented screen delamination defect, which has caused persistent and unsafe behavior in the vehicle’s head unit — a critical system affecting both usability and driver safety. In my case, the screen began delaminating around the 100,000-mile mark, just outside the warranty. Since then, the problem has progressively worsened and now renders the infotainment system unusable. The screen ghost-touches and rapidly changes menus, inputs, and radio stations, often without any driver interaction. This is not merely an aesthetic defect — it poses a substantial safety hazard and functional impairment. Most alarmingly: The radio will change frequencies automatically, sometimes switching away from AM emergency broadcast channels without warning or input. This poses a clear safety concern in weather-related or disaster scenarios when access to emergency broadcasts is essential. The screen unpredictably shifts menus and settings while driving, creating a visual distraction that competes with the driver’s focus on the road. This is an unacceptable risk in a vehicle designed with safety as a brand hallmark. Hands-free and navigation functionality are affected, which may compel drivers to interact with the system in motion — violating hands-free laws in many states and contradicting Subaru’s commitment to safe vehicle design. The issue is widely reported across Subaru owner forums, independent shops, and social media. It is linked directly to a known defect in the Harman-made infotainment units used in 2018 models and related vehicles. This is not an isolated or unique case. Despite this known problem, Subaru of America continues to decline support for owners affected outside the extended warranty period. Even though the issue eventually effects every single model. Subaru cherry picks who they choose to repair after 100k