2018 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2018 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 2018 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 194 | 807 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 506 | 423 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 10 | 27 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–29 | 22–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 19,250 mi | 18,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Crosstrek | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 64 | 233 |
| Electrical System | 32 | 265 |
| Engine | 32 | 36 |
| Visibility | 9 | 41 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 43 |
| Steering | 6 | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 21 |
| Power Train | 14 | 14 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 12 | 46 |
| Hesitation / surging | 6 | 7 |
| Vibration / shaking | 5 | 9 |
| Battery drain | 0 | 54 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 11 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 6 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 6 |
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2018 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.