Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Subaru Legacy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility) or Number: 18V626000 (Parking Brake). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,191.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the display touch screen laminated cover had developed bubbles, causing the touch screen to malfunction. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display erroneously turned on or erroneously turned off. During the failure, the touch screen feature was inoperable, and the driver was unable to access certain safety features within the settings on the display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the touch screen display unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.
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.
The navigation/radio screen stopped responding to touch but continues to randomly press buttons. While driving the car the touch screen is randomly calling people, changing radio stations, and messing with the lights and navigation. I reached out to Subaru to let them know what was happening and they claim it is a known issue but they haven't chosen to make a recall on it. They claim it is an issue on all of the vehicles from 2018/2019. They claim the screen is delaminating which is why it is causing random buttons to be pushed making the car extremely unsafe to drive. The distraction alone isn't safe but for me as an autistic driver the inability to turn it off is a huge issue. There is no work around available and it will just continue to make noises and randomly call people and mess with the interior of the vehicle. …
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. …
My car's belt had been screeching for a few weeks. I was planning on taking my car in the next day. When i turned my car off, all the electrical went out and it started smoking on the driver's side. I got my car towed to the nearest auto shop. They replaced the battery and belt and yet the electrical was still out. When they tested the fuse, the driver's mirror caught on fire and was smoking. Thank goodness I was not driving when this occurred as that could have been scary. They replaced the fuse, but now I can't auto up / down my window. When I reached out to Subaru, they wanted $200 just to inspect it and $1,000 for a mirror replacement. I told them the situation and they didn't care. I also emailed them and never received a response. I googled this issue and other Subaru cars have had this issue and noted water coming in the mirror so now I'm frightened to get a car wash. …
During regular use of the radio and head unit, at times the touch screen or controls, dials, buttons will be unresponsive. The Android Auto software tends to malfunction and will randomly disconnect and the audio will blast, full volume at the driver with the inability to control the volume other than to pull over and turn the vehicle off or manually power down the radio. This has happened on several occasions and with young children in the car, it can damage hearing, cause traumatic injury OR if in motion the driver can become quickly surprised or distracted and jerk the steering wheel or react to the jump in sound level that could injury passengers, or other vehicles occupied that may be nearby. This seems to be an issue with the inability to control sound level between different modes. …
The issue began as air bubbles appearing on the center touchscreen. This has escalated to the screen having episodes of complete loss of control, it acts as if it's rapidly receiving input and will change settings, perform or end calls, change what's being displayed. My biggest concern is that it will turn the radio volume completely up. When these episodes occur, I am unable to override anything that is happening. We had the stereo volume turn completely up while on the highway with my [redacted] child in the car and I was unable to turn it down. This was a safety concern for us because if I spent time troubleshooting the screen I was distracted from watching the road while traveling at high speed, but I couldn't leave the volume blasting with a [redacted] old in the car.
The software on starlink on Subaru has been a huge burden while driving or in parking mode.When driving the starlink will constantly connect and disconnect to phone.It constantly changing the music by itself.And the navigation system will input random addresses.Messing with my navigation and ability to concentrate.Ive tried many different things to not have this issue.Like turning off the whole radio itself but it turns it's self on and off there's been many times where I almost crashed due to this issue.Ive also contacted Subaru since this is a very big known issue.But they did not want to take responsibility the only solution they gave me was to pay $4,000 to change the starlink system.A service that is way out of my budget and something I should not have to pay for.
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.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
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.
Electrical complaints in other Legacy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, 34% of the model year's 117 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › fuel gauge (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Subaru Legacy electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-773 (software, Nov 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Legacy electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.