2018 Subaru Legacy: backup camera failure

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · NJ

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Visibility · CA

I have been going back and forth with Subaru of America's Advocacy department for about two weeks now, I purchased my 2018 Subaru legacy back in August of 2023. My head unit in my vehicle has now completely stopped working, I have explained that now my back up camera is now freezing and going black and that it poses a safety risk, but they are not helping me, all they keep telling me was the extended warranty for that specific issue expired in July of 2023. when I checked Subaru's recall website, they have completed out that recall in July of 2025, I have never taken my car in for this issue, I was also never aware of this recall. I have all emails going back and forth with the advocacy department. the recall was for "FMVSS 111" per Subaru advocacy dept. my car has a total of two recalls that have been completed out but it shows they were completed out July 26, 2025, I have had possession of this vehicle since 2023 and was never made aware of any open recalls so I never have taken my car into get anything corrected. this vehicle's star link system is still linked to the previous owner because I can't get it to be linked to me yet.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Driver assistance · PA

The infotainment head unit system and screen with the backup camera is completely malfunctioning. There have been instances where the screen glitches out while backing up and I have almost been in a collision. The head unit makes constant random noises, and screen pop ups that cannot be turned off. This makes for highly distracted and unsafe driving as it makes it quite difficult for the car user to maintain sole focus and attention to the roadways and driving. The extreme glitchiness and phantom touches/noises are just as a distraction and safety concern as driving while using a cellphone which is against the law. The infotainment unit should be fully recalled, not just have a warranty extension. The Subaru dealership has inspected the head unit and declared the failure that was part of a now expired warranty extension. The failures came without warning; however the glitches have gotten more frequent and worse over time.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Driver assistance · NY

Aug 2025: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 55,500 miles. ISSUE: Rearview camera froze with high-pitch sound for about 10-seconds, then shut off, while in Reverse. I was not aware immediately of this. Did not hit the cars behind me but definitely could have. Unknown if reverse lights affected. Based on online searches, rearview cameras not working is criteria for a recall. BACKGROUND: My main screen is affected by Subaru Screen Delamination (can't use touch at all). My exact model got an extended warranty, but I was not aware of this extension until after it passed. Subaru of America and dealers refused to service it unless I paid full price out-of-pocket. Fast-forward to now, reverse camera being affected. I also see mention online of emergency broadcast radio being blocked, since it does not stay on one channel, due to screen issues. I do not recommend Subaru (not the only issue I've had on a once new vehicle).

Filed May 1, 2025 · Driver assistance · MD

Back up camera freezes or doesn't work when backing up- almost caused a accident!

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · DE

Starlink infotainment system (audio headunit),(defective)...freezing, malfunction, screen black out at any time...black out while in motion (reverse) using back up camera. Intermitting beeping sound though cars speakers while driving...major distraction...unsafe!.... Finding was within a august.2019 class action lawsuit or so (recall) : federal motor vehicle safety standard (111).I also have (documented) recent proof from winner subaru of dover delaware.. Which confirmed the (exact) same facts.... Contact:rep...name:(brook).I reached out to subaru america advocate.... Camden new jersey... Contact name: (niko)...#800‑782‑2783 ext#119027....case# [xxx]...I was offered $750 good will payment...for a used headunit... Thought winner subaru of dover delaware...a new headunit replacement they quoted $2,500.00....they want give me the $750 and make me pay $759 for labor....for the (fact) that they have know for years that the starlink infotainment system is (defect)...and has paid out 6.25 million dollars.. In reference to it! I only own this car 3 months 7 days....also... Winner subaru dover delaware...informed me that the car had aftermarket sway bar links... Though carfax...and research I was able call colonial volkswagen subaru... Feasterville trevose pa on 1/08/2024 ....was the dealership that had put them on.it was supposed to had been original subaru part not aftermarket...I told brook of winner subaru ..that's what I found out do to speaking to a service... Supervisor...that stated and confirmed the work was done there.I also reached out to subaru america..in reference to this...to no response....this both as a whole is unsafe practice and bad business....I should not have to pay for labor fees of sort...for what know and have know for a fact for years...and still going on till today. Im a hard working american consumer...that both this car 13 weeks ago...to be driving around with (distracting) safety issue. My cell# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Electrical · KS

8 inch Starlink Multimedia System screen delamination causing display for backup camera to not be displayed clearly along with irratic behavior of Starlink system.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 23,191 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the headlights failed to illuminate, and the rearview camera was intermittently flashing and displaying a blank image. The contact stated that on various occasions when the vehicle was parked, the parking brake failed to activate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head unit software needed to be updated; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired and occasionally failed to start. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility) or Number: 18V626000 (Parking Brake). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,191.

Filed Jun 17, 2019 · Fuel system · VA

On june 6, 2019, we took our car in for regular maintenance and to perform two outstanding recalls that involved "software reprogramming" -- one for the fuel gauge (which apparently may not properly reflect low gas levels) and one for the head unit (which may fail to initialize and activate the backup camera). We had _zero_ problems with the head unit (or fuel gauge to our knowledge) prior to the recall work. Now the head unit fails to initialize for several minutes every few times we start our car -- the _exact_ issue that the recall was initiated to address. I am also concerned that the fuel gauge reprogramming may not have remedied that sensing error either. I contacted the manufacturer, which has instructed us to return to the same dealer to have them try to fix it again. We scheduled their next available appointment on july 3rd, but now have no confidence that the software reprogramming rolled out by subaru actually remedied the manufacturing defects. Indeed, it appears to have introduced a defect into our head unit system.

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Electrical · 36,200 miles · TX

My subaru starlink infotainment system has experienced 5 events of total blackout to the infotainment screen over the 9-month period since purchasing. This has resulted in loss of functionality to the phone, bluetooth, radio and backup camera capabilities. Safety was the number one reason why I chose this car (backup camera, lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control). To know that roughly 30% of all minor vehicle accidents occur due to backup-related issues, it scares me that my car is not protecting me from this potential risk. Not only is this a risk to basic safety principles, but it also makes my everyday travel chaotic and stressful. I drive for up to 2-3 hours at a time, and to have zero access to basic fm radio, siriusxm radio, bluetooth-connected podcasts / e-books makes focusing difficult. Additionally, with no bluetooth phone connection available, I am forced to hold my phone while driving, taking one of my hands off the wheel, and distracting me from focusing on driving. It's absurd to me that this issue has been raised by hundreds of subaru owners across multiple model vehicles, and it has not been addressed. If, god forbid, something was to happen to me or my wife while driving this car due to an issue that subaru knew about, I don't know what I would do. To make matters worse, I was just informed after 2 hours in the service waiting area that the subaru-issued software update will not fix the issue, and I have to come back in 2-3 weeks after the dealership receives a completely new radio display board system for install. When there is something safety-related at hand, and the company in question makes no escalated effort to expedite the solution, it heightens my concern with the company's commitment to safety. This situation is frustrating, yes; but more than anything, it questions whether or not I am best protected within the confines of a subaru.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Electrical · 6,000 miles · PA

The radio/navigation screen went blank. The rear view camera, navigation, stereo. Etc. No longer work. I took the car to the dealer today and was told the radio head needs replaced. Problem is they are on national back order and no one can say how long it will take to get it. This is a major safety issue because back up camera no longer works and cross traffic warning no longer works and the navigation no longer works.