Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2018 Subaru Legacy
The 2018 Subaru Legacy has notable issues with its electrical system and fuel pump but remains a reliable car with proper maintenance. Check for the recall repairs, as some issues may impact safety, like fuel pump failure and rearview camera malfunctions.
Known issues to inspect
Fuel pump may fail
How to check: Verify that the fuel pump recall repair was completed.
Rearview camera may not display
How to check: Test rearview camera display during reverse gear.
Fuel gauge may be inaccurate
How to check: Ensure low fuel warning light functions correctly.
Audio display may not initialize
How to check: Check audio display responsiveness when starting car.
Brake issues reported
How to check: Inspect brake responsiveness and pad wear during braking.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure engine starts smoothly with no sputtering.
Red flag: Difficulty starting engine
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe for any dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 03
First braking attempt
What to check: Notice responsiveness and sound of the brakes.
Red flag: Soft pedal or grinding noise
- 04
Reverse gear
What to check: Check if rearview camera displays correctly.
Red flag: No rearview camera display
- 05
City driving
What to check: Monitor electrical functions like radio and A/C.
Red flag: Malfunctioning A/C or radio
- 06
Highway acceleration
What to check: Test acceleration for smooth power delivery.
Red flag: Loss of power or hesitation
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the fuel pump recall been addressed?
- Any electrical system issues in the past?
- Have you experienced brake problems?
- Are there any dashboard warning lights?
- Has rearview camera ever malfunctioned?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Complete service history
- Title and registration
- Current vehicle inspection report
Generated by gpt-4o on 6/12/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2018 Subaru Legacy.