CarTold

2017 vs. 2018 Subaru Outback: What Changed

EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types for the 2017 and the 2018 Subaru Outback. Check the individual trims for equipment and production changes these records do not cover.

Four campaigns (air bags, steering and suspension) cover the 2017 and not the 2018, while three campaigns (electrical system, fuel system and visibility) cover the 2018 and not the 2017.

Fewer campaigns do not establish better reliability. Confirm each car's coverage and repair status by VIN.

The campaigns that separate them

Imported NHTSA recall campaigns that name one of these two model years but not the other, with their component labels. Campaigns covering both years are left out of this list.

Only the 2017

  • 16V292000 steering
  • 16V576000 suspension
  • 16V716000 steering
  • 19V910000 air bags

Only the 2018

  • 18V773000 electrical system
  • 18V935000 visibility
  • 21V587000 fuel system
A campaign may cover only part of a model year's production. Use the campaign number to ask an authorized dealer whether the car's VIN is included and what work remains. Our recall tool finds model-year campaigns; this guide explains the vehicle-specific check.

Side by side

2017 2018
Engines listed 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L V6 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L V6
Drive types All-Wheel Drive All-Wheel Drive
Fuel types Regular Gasoline Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG 22–28 22–28
Recall campaigns 4 3
Complaints on file 917 809
Investigations 1 0
Complaint totals reflect different time on the road, sales and reporting. They cannot rank these years for reliability. The categories below identify symptoms to read about, not failure odds. How reporting time affects the comparison.

What owners reported, by system

2017

Electrical 381 (42%)
Visibility & lighting 232 (25%)
Other 188 (21%)

2018

Visibility & lighting 273 (34%)
Electrical 258 (32%)
Other 183 (23%)

Full reports

Open each year's report to read the recall, investigation, manufacturer communication and EPA variant records on file:

2017 Outback full report 2018 Outback full report Every Outback year compared

Sources and methodology