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. If a phone is ever attached, the screen will randomly calling phone numbers. These unintended inputs and lockups are an extreme distraction hazard while driving. This is a known defect previously covered under Subaru's extended warranty and the Udeen settlement, and now covered to 8 years/150,000 miles on 2019–2023 models. No crash or injury has resulted. These issues began many years ago (at least as early as 2020), when the car still belonged to my mother. Since the car was transferred to me last year, it has only gotten worse and the phantom inputs are sometimes constant and are an extreme distraction.
2018 Subaru Outback visibility problems
273 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 24,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 273
- of this car's complaints
- 33%
- typical mileage
- 24,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Windshield36
- Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Subaru Outback visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Subaru Outback visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 18V935000 · Recall details
What 2018 Subaru Outback owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This is the third time my windshield has cracked in the last three years.
Sunroof's glass panel exploded/shattered unexpectedly due to unknown cause(s)/reason(s) while driving vehicle. No external item(s) contacted sunroof glass panel.
Replaced windshield at dealer using factory glass on 8/7/24. Daughter came out of apartment on approximately the 18th of December and the windshield had a horizontal crack from side to side. She did not have anything hit the windshield and there were not dings or stars in it. It appears to be a stress crack from either a defective install or glass.
Spontaneous sunroof glass explosion
The touchscreen is delaminated. The delamination makes the backup camera useless. This is a possible danger to me and anyone behind me- turning to look reputedly behind and at the sides doesn't help when cars are moving parallel to me. The 'media' switches between radio and CD, FM and AM, and switches into HD mode at random. There's no way to turn it off, so the beeping is a distraction while driving. The Subaru dealership is well aware of this issue. A replacement part was ordered in September 2023 but the part is yet to be replaced.
We have experienced 3 cracked windshields within 4 months due to small rock debris kicked-up from passing vehicles. Each crack originated at the edge of the glass; 2 from outside edge passenger side and 1 from center bottom edge passenger side. Driving conditions were different for each incident, as each incident occurred during highway driving during light, medium, and heavy traffic flow. Passenger safety was not compromised. The dates for each incident were 15 February 2024, 28 April 2024, and 21 May 2024.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield cracked without impact. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer to have the windshield replaced; however, the failure recurred soon after the replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage unattended, the contact noticed that the front windshield was cracked without impact. The vehicle was taken to a glass center, where the glass was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 52,470.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, she observed that the front windshield had a crack from the bottom leading upwards. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced the week before. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Questions about the 2018 Subaru Outback visibility
Does the 2018 Subaru Outback have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 273 complaints about the visibility of the 2018 Subaru Outback, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Outback visibility problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 24,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Subaru Outback visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V935000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru Outback have the most visibility problems?
The Subaru Outback model years with the most visibility complaints are 2019 (387 complaints), 2020 (383 complaints) and 2022 (280 complaints).
Other 2018 Subaru Outback problems
Electrical 267Fuel system 46Driver assistance 42Engine 37Steering 36Acceleration 21Brakes 18Body 15Transmission 14Wheels 11Lights 10Suspension 9Airbags 8Seats 8Seat belts 2Tires 2Locks 1
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