Used 2018 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Continued problems with Outback CVT transmission
Ginny, 10/22/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I just got a letter from Subaru extending my CVT transmission warranty to 100000 miles or 10 years, which ever comes first. I read online (Forbes) that Subaru has been having problems (stalling) with this transmission for quite a while. The Forbes article says this problem is a safety issue and that there should be a recall and repairs, not just an extended warranty. I don't know why Subaru is allowed to continue to sell a vehicle with a known safety issue and not disclose this to customers.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Beware of week stock battery and recalls
yosemite, 03/10/2018
updated 03/17/2022
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
update 3/16/22 the napa battery we put in has also gone dead and proved unreliable. after some research i put in a red top and it has been strong and not gone dead this 2021/22 winter ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- update 9/13/19; the new non stock battery actually has made it through the winter and it has started every time, as long as we dont leave the doors or hatch open for bit, and yes all hatch lights are off. camping is another story as we sleep in the back and it is nice to leave the hatch open which of course kills the battery if left open for to long. we found a fix online and it involves tripping the hatch lever on the hatch and this makes the car think the hatch is closed and it goes to sleep. then you have go through a process to get it closed; STUPID!!!!! i also defeated the backup sensors that would jam on the brakes anytime you backed up faster than 5mph and almost chipped my wifes teeth. it also wouldnet let us back up as there was a fern in our driveway. duct tape over the sensors and now i can back up normally. update: 3/13/19 we have now replaced the battery with a stronger one that subaru paid for. went to yellowstone last fall and that battery died overnight! not much faith in the electronic system. there is a display and fuel gauge recall. took it to the dealer on 3/9/19 who said they had the fixes and when we got there there was no fuel gauge fix! so now we have to make another 4 hour trip to get that fixed. never had so much problems with car. beware that the stock battery on this car is REALLY BAD! if you keep the FOB within 20', or leave the rear hatch or doors open for longer than 10 mins, leave the car parked for several days you will have a dead battery. this has happened to us 5 times already in 5 months. just google, subaru outback dead battery, most folks end buying a stronger battery within months of owning the car and that is what we are going to have to do, besides that we are very happy with the car so far, only 1,200 miles up here in the mountains of yosemite. works great on snowy roads
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 3 of 41 listings
- 2.5i Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $13,4958 mi away
- 2.5i Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $11,50016 mi away
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $13,89512 mi away
See all 41 listings
So Great In Many Ways but seat comfort still poor
Wanted to Buy but still waiting for Seat Comfort Improvement, 11/01/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
35 of 41 people found this review helpful
I have to mirror someone else's comment that I just read. I recently test drove both a 2018 Subaru Outback Premium (cloth seats/no sunroof); and 3.6 Touring (top of line model). Incidentally, I also test drove a BMW 3 Wagon. I currently drive a 2011 Volvo XC70 with cloth seats and no sunroof. My wife drove a Saab 9-2X (based on Impreza and manufactured by Subaru for Saab/GM) for several years so we became familiar with Subaru; and my retired mother had a Legacy wagon; and now a Forester. Going into the test drive, I was ready to buy or put in an order that day. Great visibility (like Volvo) and much better turning radius. But the seat comfort is just a deal-breaker. Truly awful. My mother does use various cushions to improve her Forester seat comfort and the compromise is worth it for her. The BMW 3 Wagon is marginally better than Outback because it has a little more adjustability but unfortunately neither compare with Volvo. I don't understand why Volvo and the now defunct Saab are the only 2 car manufacturers who make cars with comfortable seats. If Subaru sub-contracted with the company used by Volvo (and/or Saab before them), they would finally have a car worth buying.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Sweet spot
pfw, 10/08/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
I have an audi A5 and a rav4. This finds the sweet spot in between. Luxury and comfort for every day driver. Does not have the driving feel or refinement of the Audi. Significant upgrade from the rav4 however with basically the same utility, and can be thrashed without anxiety, unlike the audi.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Like others - Infointment system went dead and...
Vishal Patel, 11/26/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought new 3.5 R Limited for 38K. Runs great when in drive but there is a annoying click every time slowing down below 5 mph. Also from reverse to drive there is a forward lag and a creaking noise which is annoying too. Shifting to reverse is tight when on slope. Infointment system died after about 7 months - they replaced that after 2-3 weeks and now its running find. It did freeze couple of times before replacement. Took to dealer once for above issues - they said the walk around and multi point inspection was normal and everything functioned well so they cannot do anything. when noises got louder I called again - dealer wants me to make an appointment for inspection again ( very limited options for appointments). I will probably do that and ask for a new car test drive - if this issues are not present in new car then will call Subaru head office ( I dont remember this issues when care was new) - for now stay away - wish I had bought a Volvo or some other brand.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value