41 of the 162 complaints about the 2018 Subaru Legacy are about the electrical system — 25% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 15,365 miles.
41
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle on board video entertainment display has stopped working properly. It does not allow any input to the touch screen. And the only way to regain some functionality is by pressing the steering wheel source button. However it works intermittently. And this causes Driver Distraction while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11749001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. The issue is not the result of damage, misuse, or modification of the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint because the touchscreen operates without driver input and creates a distraction while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11745323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The computer screen has an issue where there is bubbling in the lamination causing the screen to go nuts and become a distracting hazard that you can not shut off. It's a known Subaru Legacy issue and should be a recall. A new screen is $2000 plus, which is not feasable for the average person to pay and it's become a safety hazard, ect.
NHTSA complaint #11745102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ghost touch issues with infotainment system (as with many other Subaru models). Cannot use radio, Bluetooth or any screen functions.
NHTSA complaint #11733981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11712979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While Driving my car, i was not able to use the power locks for my front driver and passenger windows. The power window switch on the driver and passenger door don't work. I have made numerous calls about problems with my windows since I purchased my car, but always came back as the code was reset, and they fixed it temporarily. now i am looking at about a 1500 fix for the power windows, which has been a known problem for my car for years. I went to another shop and they told me this is a step below a recall, but subaru knows about it. to me it seems like this is a safety issue, since the windows cant roll down or up.
NHTSA complaint #11689396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11687253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I front passenger window stop working and does not roll up and down. I had this issue and reported the issue since I bought it brand new from the lot. I main main audio console has been replacement 2 times already from defectives. My tires TMPS is flashing now but my tire pressure are fine. My incline break button comes on by itself from time to time and does not allow for me to move the car.
NHTSA complaint #11682969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MAR 2024: 2018 Subaru Legacy, 36,000-miles. (1) Front Windshield had crack in it randomly one day. Coming up from bottom heating element. Easily able to find similar crack shape online. Find lots of windshield crack issues online for Subarus. Zero action from Subaru on this. (2) Broke again 11 months later [FEB 2025] in similar fashion, randomly one day.
NHTSA complaint #11680122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am writing to raise a serious and ongoing issue regarding the infotainment system in my 2018 Subaru Legacy. The problem centers on the widespread and well-documented screen delamination defect, which has caused persistent and unsafe behavior in the vehicle’s head unit — a critical system affecting both usability and driver safety. In my case, the screen began delaminating around the 100,000-mile mark, just outside the warranty. Since then, the problem has progressively worsened and now renders the infotainment system unusable. The screen ghost-touches and rapidly changes menus, inputs, and radio stations, often without any driver interaction. This is not merely an aesthetic defect — it poses a substantial safety hazard and functional impairment. Most alarmingly: The radio will change frequencies automatically, sometimes switching away from AM emergency broadcast channels without warning or input. This poses a clear safety concern in weather-related or disaster scenarios when access to emergency broadcasts is essential. The screen unpredictably shifts menus and settings while driving, creating a visual distraction that competes with the driver’s focus on the road. This is an unacceptable risk in a vehicle designed with safety as a brand hallmark. Hands-free and navigation functionality are affected, which may compel drivers to interact with the system in motion — violating hands-free laws in many states and contradicting Subaru’s commitment to safe vehicle design. The issue is widely reported across Subaru owner forums, independent shops, and social media. It is linked directly to a known defect in the Harman-made infotainment units used in 2018 models and related vehicles. This is not an isolated or unique case. Despite this known problem, Subaru of America continues to decline support for owners affected outside the extended warranty period. Even though the issue eventually effects every single model. Subaru cherry picks who they choose to repair after 100k
NHTSA complaint #11669523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11662729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. Working in the insurance industry I see the results of distracted driving and cannot believe this hadn't been recalled yet. There was no warning before this started. The touch screen was working fine on my way to work and then on my way home it started to go crazy. I was unable to use the touch screen installed in the car and am not able to turn it off. Subaru is aware of the issue and has not either created a safe way to disengage the part nor are they willing to replace the part.
NHTSA complaint #11660490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 [XXX] 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 [XXX] old in the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11654646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The radio on this model, just as some of the later Subaru models, does things on its own, such as switches channels, or become totally non-responsive to touch. This began a few weeks ago and the radio is pretty much useless, unless reprogrammed or replaced. I stopped into Hodges subaru last week and described the problem and I was told that the issue sounded like the 2019-2023 models having the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11654024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought my Subaru brand new directly through them in September 2017. Not too long after the warranty deadline (2018 timeframe) my entire touchscreen randomly stopped working. Subaru had said there was nothing they could do without having to replace the entire system. It randomly does its own thing clicking on different buttons like someone is pressing them. There was nothing that happened prior this that would affect the touchscreen from stopping to work.
NHTSA complaint #11640092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11592048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. There was no warning light or anything unfamiliar.
NHTSA complaint #11570260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. At times though, the car will start and the radio will be blank, or be unresponsive until the car is turned off and back on again.
NHTSA complaint #11562358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 inch Starlink Multimedia System screen delamination causing display for backup camera to not be displayed clearly along with irratic behavior of Starlink system.
NHTSA complaint #11547863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The entire radio screen is delaminating. The dealer said it needed updated. They said they updated it. And a new screen would be about $3,000.00. As you can see in the picture the screen is very bubbled. It is almost completely inoperable. The top right hand side has a button that keeps popping on and off. It is very audible and is distracting to the point of being undeliverable. The only way to stop the constant beep, boop, beep, beep, beep, boop, beep, boop, beep, book, beep, boop. Is by pushing on the screen WHILE DRIVING!
NHTSA complaint #11530845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
2018 SUBARU LEGACY CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BATTERY ISSUE. THE CONSUMER STATED THEY HAVE TO GET A NEW BATTERY EVERY YEAR. THEY HAVE TO BUY A CAR BATTERY CHARGER TO CHARGE THE CAR BATTERY
NHTSA complaint #11521504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11513614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subaru battery drainage defect. CAN electrical system causing battery to drain when car isn't running. Car may unknowingly not start at any time battery could be dead. Just put new battery in 1 year ago this did not fix the issue. I shouldn't have to worry about being stranded with my child if my car doesn't start due to a known battery issue.
NHTSA complaint #11498349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Premature battery failure, defective battery or electrical parts failure.
NHTSA complaint #11487835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Fail on 2018 Legacy Sport Model. No warning or indication. Went in the car evening of July 17, 2022 . Vehicle was not responsive to starting - battery dead Had to go to 3rd party and obtain a battery as it was the weekend - had no other form of transportation. Had not indication there was in-fact an issue with Subaru and their batteries draining vehicles leaving cars stranded. When I called the Subaru Dealer in regards - this information was not volunteered.
NHTSA complaint #11486596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I forgot to add a item to my issue with the battery change - With changing the battery items acted odd in the vehicle - window issue with windows not working and Radio issues in which the car would randomly start controlling the electronic features of the phone, radio, cd player and maps. Car will randomly beep as to act like someone is touching the screen, it will also change radio channels, turn on CD make random calls to people on my contact list, providing mapping - it's as if it is possessed. Tried to make attempts to get it into the dealer - first appointment failed as it conflicted with something else. Now I can't get the vehicle in until October per them.
NHTSA complaint #11486607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Window on right passenger door doesn't stay up when we close the window with the power window button. Sometimes at night the eyesight system turns off. At times the radio entertainment system doesn't want to work.
NHTSA complaint #11441241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have experienced numerous battery replacements, and had electrical problems. If you don’t drive every day, the battery goes dead.
NHTSA complaint #11433482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle currently has about 55,000 miles on it. I recently had to replace the battery which seems premature for a vehicle just over three years old (at 48865 miles). I have recently been made aware that it is alleged that this Subaru model is defective in such a way to precipitate early battery failure. I want my experience added to that of others. I have documentation of this battery replacement which I could supply upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11419661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
P014A ERROR CODE. STARTED CAR AND WAS ABOUT 1/8 MILE AWAY FROM HOME DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON COUNTRY ROAD, AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH (CHECK ENGINE, EYESIGHT OFF WARNING LIGHT, BATTERY, OIL, ETC...). IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME. MY OBDII SCANNER SAID P014A ERROR. I RESET THE CODE. CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND DROP OFF (30 MILES AWAY) AND THEY SAID YES. THEY THEN SAID IF THEY CANNOT READ THE CODE THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT (BECAUSE I RESET IT AND IT IS NOT HISTORICALLY SAVED IN THE CAR). THE CODE HAPPED AUG 17, 2020 HAS NOT APPEAR AGAIN AS OF SEPT 22, 2020. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE RELATED, BUT I HAVE BEEN HAVING VERY STRANGE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO VOLUME SINCE THEN. I'VE ROTATED THE HEAT DIAL AND IT'S TURNED THE RADIO VOLUME UP / DOWN, STARTED THE CAR AND THE VOLUME IS AT MAXIMUM (AFTER QUICKLY TURNED THE VOLUME TO ZERO, TURNED IT TO ONE IS ACCPETABLE AND 2 IS WAY TOO LOUD).
NHTSA complaint #11360391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.