SubaruOutback2018Overview/subaru/outback/2018/base/

2018 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Outback.

Body SUV

The 2018 Subaru Outback is an SUV whose mechanical servicing requires 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil, establishing its foundational specifications for researchers. This model year accumulated 805 total owner complaints—dominated by the Visibility/Wiper category—alongside three official recalls. While its complaint volume sits well below the model's historical peak of 1,029 in 2019, it remains a far cry from the all-time low of just two complaints in 1995, meaning researchers should approach this year as a period of concentrated, specific dissatisfaction rather than a benchmark of trouble-free reliability.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88.5 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 355 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3558 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2018 3.6R Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20183.6R Touring 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.20 sec256 hpAWD
20182.5i Limited 2.5L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec175 hpAWD
20173.6R Touring 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.60 sec256 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec175 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.40 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.50 sec15.80 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru Lineartronic II CVTF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.9-12.5
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Subaru High Torque CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts144.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88.5 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub177.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap2458cc: .028-.031; 2498cc: .039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque2458cc: 15.5 ft-lbs; 2498cc: 13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.88-1.00 lbs
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle. rpm
Engine Compression152
Engine Compression152

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 49
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .591

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees +/-515 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
241.0-45.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Subaru Outback sits in the middle of the fifth generation (2015–2019), a period marked by a sharp rise in complaints. After 505 complaints in 2015, the count climbed to 917 in 2017, then dipped slightly to 805 in 2018 before peaking at 1,029 in 2019. This places 2018 as a relative plateau within an upward trend, not the worst year but still elevated. Recalls, however, are low and stable—only 3 for 2018, matching 2019 and down from 4–5 in prior years—and no investigations were opened for this model year, suggesting fewer systemic safety defects. The top complaint areas are Visibility/Wiper (210) and Electrical System (197), with 27 crash and 4 fire complaints reported; the data does not specify root causes for these issues. Overall, the 2018 is a middling choice: it avoids the worst recall years but inherits the generation’s high complaint volume, so proceed only if you can verify that common wiper and electrical concerns have been addressed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
423
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
805
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 805 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper210
Electrical System197
Unknown Or Other97
Visibility37
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other23
Steering22
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Engine15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V935000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/DevicesReported 31/12/2018

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… 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…

18V773000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 01/11/2018

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 423 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Outback take?

5.1 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.