Used 2018 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Head Unit Nightmare
K. Howard, 12/31/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
130 of 137 people found this review helpful
One week after purchasing the 2018 Outback, the infotainment system began having problems. It would repeatedly turn off and on during my daily commute. A week later, the entire head unit shut down and would not restart and the backup camera would not come on. Contacted the dealer who said it needed a software update, so scheduled an appointment with service department for the same week. The day before I was scheduled to take the car in, the car would not start. Nothing on the car worked. I had it towed into the dealership through roadside assistance. They performed the software update and installed a new battery. Three days later, and the head unit is repeatedly turning off and on again. Apparently, the software update was not effective. Very unhappy with this vehicle.
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The Right Choice Update II
Kit Harma, 12/13/2017
updated 08/01/2022
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
67 of 70 people found this review helpful
After 20,000 miles and 21 months of ownership here is my update: Same over all satisfaction with the comfort and fuel efficiency but getting a little bit annoyed with the buggy electronics. We have had the rear hatch position sensor replaced, the head unit and fuel remaining software updated and just last week the amplifier was replaced as per Subaru Service Bulletin 15-235-18R. We have made two round trips from Washington to Arizona taking four days to cover each leg comfortably and getting 32 mpg. We haven't found the limit on how much stuff can be transported in this vehicle. The clearcoat finish scratches very easily.
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Do research before buying
Rick Schein, 02/19/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
51 of 53 people found this review helpful
Navigation system is poor - turns on road from middle of bridge. Android Auto and Starlink are intermittent (4 vists to dealer, replaced radio head, replaced firmware) They have no idea. They replaced radio head with a remanufactuired unit (car was 2 weeks old!) Still doesn't work. They have no one who understands the computer side of the car. National support is poor.
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Harman Kardon Entertainment Head Unit Failure
Very Disappointed Owner, 11/29/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
22 of 22 people found this review helpful
After 8,000 miles my Harman Kardon radio head unit failed-black screen. This results in no radio, back up camera, navigation or phone. My Subaru dealership informed me it was not a Subaru issue but, a Harman Kardon parts issue. Therefore they cannot begin to give me an estimate of when my new part will arrive. Per the parts manager, "there are so many units needed and the replacement process is out of our hands. It's up to the radio manufacturer." It has been 2 weeks now -no idea of when I may get the part. Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed. I could have used that $38,000.00 and purchased a much better product.
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Disappearing infotainment system
Riley, 12/19/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
33 of 34 people found this review helpful
Be aware that there is apparently a BIG problem with the so-called "head unit" in the 2018 Outback. Mine stopped working after about 8 months. No back up camera, can't listen to the radio, play any music, use CD player, no Bluetooth, no navigation and the parts of the system that still light up flash or go dark erratically. It's almost 4 weeks now and we called the dealer (again-because we thought they forgot us) and, this time, they said they don't know when the replacement will be available. We don't get the sense that anyone is really advocating for the owners in spite of this rather spectacular failure. We spent 37K on this car and now wish we bought a Toyota or a Honda. We are very disappointed. As for rating the car - it's hard to be charitable under the circumstances even though it certainly still gets me to work. Of course, so did the 15 year old Cavalier we had; and that radio worked!
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