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2018 Subaru Outback maintenance schedule

The 2018 Outback is part of the BS generation (2015-2019), sold as a wagon. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2018 Outback needs, and when

5 of these 10 items come from Subaru's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Subaru's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Requires 0W-20 for 4-cyl and 5W-30 for 6-cyl.

6,000 mi / 6 monthsManufacturer
Engine air filter30,000 miIndependent
Cabin air filter12,000 miIndependent
Tire rotationInspect, replace as neededIndependent
Brake fluid

Inspect at 12,000 miles

30,000 mi / 30 monthsManufacturer
Engine coolant

Inspect at 24,000 miles

137,500 mi / 11 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Replace or inspect

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Spark plugs (FB25)60,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Serpentine beltInspect, replace as neededIndependent
12V battery

Frequent testing required due to severe parasitic drain flaws.

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-20 (4-cyl) / 5W-30 (6-cyl)

Powertrains in this generation

  • CVT, AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2018 Outback owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Excessive Oil Consumption

high severity

From about 50,000 mi · $1,500-$1,600 to fix

Engine burns massive amounts of oil, requiring frequent top-ups

Source: enginepatrol.com

12V Battery Drain

high severity

$185-$380 to fix

Battery prematurely dies without warning due to electrical draw

Source: subaruofdayton.com

Head Gasket Failure

high severity

$2,000-$4,000 to fix

Overheating, white smoke, oily smell in cabin

Torque Converter Failure

medium severity

$1,200 to fix

Shuddering when accelerating/stopping, whining noise

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA recalls for the 2018 Subaru Outback

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Subaru dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA 21V587000

July 2021

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.

Remedy: 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

NHTSA 18V935000

December 2018

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."

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.

Electrical system

NHTSA 18V773000

November 2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$617

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Outback model years

BT (2020-2026)

2020202120222023202420252026

BS (2015-2019)

20152016201720182019

BR (2014-2014)

2014

Shopping new? The Subaru Outback guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-21. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an Outback for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2018 Outback earns before you buy it.

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