2015 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 509 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 19 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnDo not drive until repairedMay 11, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Campaign 16V292000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control (ESC)Apr 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Campaign 16V251000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftAug 10, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Campaign 15V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Forward collision avoidance, crash imminent brakingJun 12, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Campaign 15V366000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesSep 19, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.
The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.
Campaign 14V577000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: visibility/wiper
130 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Apr 6, 2016
ON 2/11/2016, I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 OUTBACK ON HIGHWAY 50 NEAR FOLSOM, CA. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WITH IN 300 FEET. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I NOTICED THERE WAS A 5 TO 6 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD LOCATED THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER. ALTHOUGH LATER ON WE FOUND THERE WAS A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, NO BODY ON THE CAR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, NOR SAW ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THAT CRACK BECAME A TWO FEET LONG CRACK FROM THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. AND IT KEEP REFLECTING STRONG LIGHTS FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WHICH MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE THINGS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD I HAVE WITHIN ONE YEAR'S OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. THE FIRST ONE WAS CRACKED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF A COSTCO WAREHOUSE. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINS FILED AGAINST THE 2015 AND 2016 OUTBACK ON NHTSA, ALMOST 50% COMPLAINS ARE ABOUT WINDSHIELD CRACKING ISSUE. THIS RATIO IS THE WAY HIGHER THAN SIMILAR VEHICLES AND PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS. ALTHOUGH SUBARU EXTENDED WIND SHIELD WARRANTY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. THAT'S WHY 2016 OUTBACK OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO SAME SITUATION. PLEASE STEP IN AND URGE SUBARU TO DELIVER A REAL SOLUTION.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AS IT BEGAN TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,750.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2016
FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A 20 INCH CRACK, RUNNING FROM PILLAR ON PASSENGER SIDE, TOWARD CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. NO APPEARANCE OF ROCK STRIKE. NO SOUND OF ROCK STRIKE WHEN CRACK FIRST DEVELOPED. CRACK STARTED AT AROUND 14 INCHES, AND CONTINUES TO GROW LONGER. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN CRACK FIRST APPEARED, AT AROUND 75 MPH.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 18, 2016
WE TEST DRIVE A 2015 OUTBACK SUBARU AT THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD A CRACK IN IT AND DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH OF IT 20K MILES. WE ENDED UP PURCHASING THIS ONE PRIVATELY AND IT HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AS WELL. IT ONLY HAS 11K MILES. THE CRACK ON THE OUTBACK THAT WE PURCHASED STARTS AT THE TOP MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROW AND CUTS DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT ABOUT 8 INCHES. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S A HUGE DEFECT WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND DEFROSTER THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE!
Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2016
TWICE IN SNOWING CONDITION , THE WINDSHIELD ICED AT THE BOTTOM AND DID NOT CLEAR EVEN THOUGH THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE OUR JOURNEY. EVEN THOUGH WE STOPPED EVERY TEN MINUTES OR LESS TO SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR. I'VE HAD MANY CARS IN MANY CONDITIONS AND NEVER SAW THIS LACK OF VISIBILITY. IT TOOK 4 HOURS ON ROUTE 270 FROM FREDRICK TO GO 20 MILES OUT AND RETURN. VERY SCARY.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 11, 2016
WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A POP, DID SEE OR NOTICE ANYTHING. NEXT DAY I HAD A CRACK IN MY DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 8-10 INCHES CRACK. THOUGHT I HAD GLASS COVERAGE BUT ITS $1000 DEDUCTIBLE. SAFELITE COST IS $461.55. I HAVE THE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH EYESIGHT, THAT MEANS AFTER SAFELIGHT REPAIRS THE WINDSHIELD I THEN NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO MY SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE THE EYESIGHT RECALIBRATE FOR ABOUT $200. MY CAR ONLY HAS 8700 MILES. LOOKING AT OTHER COMMENTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH 2015 SUBARU OUTBACKS. IF I HAD FULL GLASS COVERAGE I WOULD HAVE CARED OR WROTE ABOUT THIS. HOPE SUBARU FIXES THIS PROBLEM. THANKS AND HOPE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE. AFTER SEEING THE NOTE BELOW I WAS IN MOTION ON A 2 LANE STREET. I DO DRIVE FROM NY TO FLORIDA TWICE A YEAR AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IF THIS HAPPENED ON A LONG TRIP. DOESN'T SEEM SAFE IF SUBARU HAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS
Visibility/wiper, Dec 16, 2015
DURING A RECENT TRIP TO COLORADO, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED A DOZEN SMALL PITS IN THE EXTERIOR GLASS SURFACE FROM CONTACT WITH VERY TINY PEBBLES. TWO OF THE PITS HAVE DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS THAT HAVE GROWN TO LENGTHS EXCEEDING 15 INCHES. THE TINY PEBBLE STRIKES SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH PITS BASED ON MY EXTENSIVE DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS ITSELF, MAKING IT UNUSUALLY BRITTLE. THE PEBBLE STRIKES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (I.E. 55-65 MPH) ON PAVED ROADWAYS. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DURING THE PEBBLE STRIKES, WHICH TOOK PLACE OVER SEVERAL DAYS OF DRIVING, RANGED FROM 20 TO 45 DEGREES F. THE CRACKS APPEAR TO STILL BE GROWING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 23, 2015
PURCHASED THE 2015 OUTBACK IN SEPT. 2014. TOOK TO BACK TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. OCTOBER. 24, 2014 BECAUSE OF LOUD POPPING NOISE AROUND WINDSHIELD ESPECIALLY WHEN BLUETOOTH PHONE CONNECTED. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. POPPING NOISE AROUND WINDSHIELD CONTINUED FROM TIME TO TIME. TOOK BACK TO DEALER JULY 29, 2015 FOR POPPING NOISE AROUND WINDSHIELD AND POOR RADIO AM RECEPTION. THEY REPLACED THE RADIO BUT AM RADIO RECEPTION STILL NOT GREAT. GOT IN THE OUTBACK ON NOV 17, 2015 AND THERE WAS A 5" CRACK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD SLIGHTLY RIGHT OF THE CENTER. A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THIS I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE. IT MADE ME JUMP AS I THOUGHT THE WINDSHIELD WAS GOING TO SHATTER BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SUBARU ABOUT WINDSHIELD CRACKING PROBLEMS SO I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT IN SO THEY COULD TAKE A PICTURE. AT THAT TIME I ALSO REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE DEFROSTER NOT KEEPING THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR ESPECIALLY ON RAINY DAYS AND NIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEFROSTER HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WAS I THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. I THOUGHT THE SUBARU HAD ELECTRICAL L ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE POPPING, POOR AM RADIO RECEPTION AND THE DEFROSTER. NOW THE WINDSHIELD! THIS IS MY FIRST SUBARU AND POSSIBLY LAST IF THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. ALL OF THE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING BUT WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CRACK IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CRACK US NOW ABOUT 9".
Visibility/wiper, Nov 14, 2015
SMALL PEBBLE STRUCK WINDSHIELD PASSENGER SIDE AT EDGE ADJACENT TO HEATING ELEMENT AT LEVEL OF MID WINDSHIELD. THIS LEFT A SMALL SHALLOW PIT IN OUTER GLASS. 12 HOURS LATER A CRACK DEVELOPED AT THE WINDSHIELD EDGE AND EXTENDED 12 INCHES TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS SLOWLY EXTENDING
Visibility/wiper, Nov 10, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A SMALL ROCK HIT OUR WINDSHIELD IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DEICER AREA. WE HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT SUBARU KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH WINDSHIELDS CRACKING AT THE DEICER AREA, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER STATES THAT OUR CRACK INITIATED ABOVE THE AREA FOR WHICH THEY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE DEICER AREA ON OUR WINDSHIELD EXTENDS ABOVE THE SPOT WHERE THE ROCK HIT, BUT SUBARU IS TRYING TO LIMIT RESPONSIBILITY TO A LOWER AREA. VISIBILITY IS A HIGHLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF SAFE DRIVING. THE DEICER AREA WAS NOT APPLIED BY TWO DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING PROCESSES WHEN IT IS A FEW INCHES APART. SUBARU IS TRYING TO LIMIT LIABILITY FOR A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW. WE BELIEVE THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2015
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR A STONE HIT. 3 OTHER PEOPLE WERE IN THE CAR WHEN A 10 INCH CRACK APPEARED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER POST TOWARD THE MIDDLE. NO ONE SAW OR HEARD A STONE HIT. I CAME HOME AND RESEARCHED IT AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE OUTBACK FORUM ABOUT HOW EASILY THEIR WINDSHIELDS BROKE. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SO MANY OF SUBARU'S NEW WINDSHIELDS ARE CRACKING SO EASILY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2015
ON SUNDAY OCT 11TH WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WASHING THE CAR A SPIDER CRACK APPEARED UNDER THE TIP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER THAT HAS SPREAD ACROSS TO JUST ABOUT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. WENT TO THE DEALER WHO THEN TOOK SOME PHOTOS TO SEND TO SUBARU. AFTER MANY CALLS BACK AND FORTH WE ARE STILL WAITING ON A DETERMINATION. FIRST WAS TO BE BE TODAY 10/23 NOW BEING TOLD 10/28. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF AN EXTERNAL IMPACT AND AS THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY IT SEEMS IT IS BEING PUSHED OUT FROM THE INSIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A PEBBLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S WINDSHIELD AND CREATED A TWELVE INCH CRACK. UPON ARRIVING HOME, THE CRACK EXPANDED TO APPROXIMATELY SIXTEEN INCHES IN THE SHAPE OF THE LETTER "U". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2015
OUR 2015 SUBURU OUTBACK WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2015. IN JULY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED (RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE AND THEN, BRANCHED OUT TO BOTH SIDES) RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ZOO. NO IMPACT OF ANY DEBRIS WAS HEARD OR EVIDENT. WE HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER SUBURU DETERMINED A POINT OF IMPACT FROM DEBRIS. WE DID NOT AGREE, BUT WE NEEDED A NEW WINDSHIELD, SO WE PAID FOR IT. ON OCTOBER 8, AFTER GETTING INTO CAR AT WORK PARKING LOT, ANOTHER CRACK WAS DISCOVERED AND MATCHED THE JULY'S CRACK EXACTLY. AGAIN, NO IMPACT OF DEBRIS AND THE START OF THE CRACK STARTS AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. I VISITED SUBURU THIS MORNING FOR ROUTING MAINT AND THEY INFORMED ME OF NO RECALL AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD, AGAIN, IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. I SUSPECT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN OF THE OUTBACK.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2015
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND WINDSHILED REPLACED SINCE I BOUGHT MY OUTBACK IN MARCH 2015. FIRST TIME IT CRACKED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NOW ON SECOND WINDSHILED, AND SEAL IN UPPER RIGHT IS BROKEN, AND CAN'T TAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE BECAUSE THERE'S A DELUGE OF RAIN OUT THERE. MUST WAIT FOR FACTORY REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT'S TOO NEW!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 29, 2015
IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, TWO WINDSHIELDS HAVE CRACKED WITH NORMAL USAGE. VEHICLES HAS LESS THAN 4600 MILES. THIS IS EITHER A GLASS FAILURE ISSUES OR A DESIGN FLAW. EITHER WAY, UNSAFE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2015
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH LAKE TAHOE AREA WITHOUT ANY DEBRIS HITTING WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTED AT LOWER PASSENGER CORNER AND HAS GROWN PAST MID SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS THE 2ND WINDSHIELD DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2015
NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ON 8/27/15. IT EXTENDED FROM UNDER THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 18 INCHES LONG. I COULD NOT THINK OF AN OBJECT HAVING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THEN RECALLED DRIVING DOWN THE STREET EARLIER AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CHASIS, LIKE THE SOUND OF A ROCK FLYING UP FROM A TIRE AND HITTING UNDERNEATH. IN RETROSPECT THIS WAS PROBABLY WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. ONLINE RESEARCH I DID EARLIER SHOWED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE 2015 OUTBACKS CRACKING EASILY, MANY OF WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE OBJECTS HITTING THE CAR. I FOUND SEVERAL SITES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, WITH THE LINKS OF 1 BELOW. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND EXPLAINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. THEY INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT MY CRACK APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN OBJECT AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN HOW AN OBJECT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE HIT THE GLASS AND NOT DAMAGED THE WIPER, WHICH WAS FULLY INTACT. THEY SAID: "THE WIPER BLADE MUST HAVE BEEN MOVING WHEN A ROCK STRUCK WINDSHIELD". I SAID NO, THE WIPER BLADES HAVE NOT BEEN USED IN SEVERAL DAYS SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN RAINING. ALSO, AN INSURANCE APPRAISER LOOKED AT THE DAMAGED GLASS AND SAID THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN OBJECT HITTING IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, SINCE THE CRACK HE SAID WAS AN "INSIDE-OUT" CRACK BASED ON THE FEEL OF THE CRACK. A WARRANTY CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED BY THE DEALER TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. WITHIN 2-3 DAYS THE DECISION WAS MADE BY SOA TO COVER THE GLASS UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY THE DEALER HAD A NEW WINDSHIELD IN STOCK, HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE WINDSHIELD HAVING BEEN BACK ORDERED FOR WEEKS AT A TIME, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SUBARU/OUTBACK/2015/ACCESSORIES-EXTERIOR/VISIBILITY_WIPER.SHTML
Visibility/wiper, Sep 7, 2015
FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT DAMAGE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2015
INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF THE MOUNTING WITH GLASS ATTACHED TO THE MOUNTING. THEIR WAS NO FORCEFUL MOVEMENT OR ADJUSTMENT BEING APPLIED TO THE MIRROR AT THE TIME, IT JUST CAME DOWN. DISTRACTING MY DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2015
THREE DAYS AGO, OUR NEW SUBARU OUTBACK (PURCHASED IN LATE FEBRUARY 2015) DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT THAT IS NOW OVER TWO FEET IN LENGTH. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE TOP EDGE, MID-WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND CIRCLES AROUND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BEFORE TAILING OFF A FOOT OR SO ABOVE THE BOTTOM EDGE, IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. NO OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, IT SIMPLY CRACKED. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD US THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, THAT NO AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL, AND QUOTED A PRICE OF $625 (BEFORE TAXES) FOR REPLACEMENT WITH SUBARU GLASS. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW SUBARU WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE IN THE US. AFTER HEARING THIS, WE WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS MODEL. NO WONDER THERE ARE SO FEW WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE! SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, WE HAVE NOTICED SIGNIFICANT ROAD NOISE INSIDE THE CABIN, EVEN WITH ALL WINDOWS TIGHTLY CLOSED. THIS, COUPLED WITH THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WE'VE SEEN ABOUT CRACKED WINDSHIELDS ON 2015 SUBARU OUTBACKS, LEADS US TO BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD RECALL THE MODEL, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2015
WE HAVE 7,100 MILES ON OUR NEW & VERY FIRST SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS PAST WEEK WE DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT BEGAN ON THE LOWER 4 INCHES / CENTER PORTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. YES, THERE IS A "VERY SMALL NICK" FROM WHERE IT BEGAN. BELIEVE ME, IT'S SMALLER THAN THE TOP OF A STRAIGHT PIN. THE CRACK STARTED OUT IN 2 DIRECTIONS AND OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS HAS GROWN TO 20 INCHES AND 11 INCHES RESPECTFULLY, AS OF TODAY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK (104 TOTAL 8/20/15 ) 65 OF THEM ARE ABOUT WINDSHIELDS CRACKING AT A VERY HIGH FREQUENCY RATE. PLUS, THE SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG WEB SITE HAS A LITANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS . IT'S TO THE POINT, THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS BACKORDER OF WINDSHIELDS FOR THE OUTBACK. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN CASES, WERE AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES / BRANDS FOR 2015. THERE ARE NONE TO BE FOUND! EXCEPT THE 2015 SUBARU LEGACY, 10 CURRENTLY , SAME TYPE OF WINDSHIELD. THAT WOULD MAKE IT AROUND 75 WINDSHIELD CRACKING COMPLAINTS TOTAL. SOMETHING OTHER THAN "BAD LUCK" IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE. SUBARU NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY TAKE THIS ISSUE TO THEIR ENGINEERING PEOPLE AND FIND IT'S ROOT CAUSE AND COVER A PROPER REPLACEMENT . I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE RUNNING OUT AND GETTING A REPLACEMENT UNTIL THIS WHOLE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED. AGAIN, THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS ARE CRACKING ALSO. SUBARU "PLEASE STEP UP" AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR REPUTATION AND THE SATISFACTION OF YOUR MANY CUSTOMERS, BOTH OLD AND NEW.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2015
WITHIN 9 DAYS OF RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD FOR MY SUBARU OUTBACK, MY WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED AGAIN. THE DEALER NOTED IT ON 8/8/15 AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 7/31/15. I DO NOT RECALL ANY ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE TOP CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK. I DID CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2015
WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A ROCK. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A DIME. WITHIN 4 HOURS, LEAVING THE CAR PARKED, THE CRACK SPREAD A FEW INCHES TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE. OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS, THE CRACK SPREAD UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST WITHIN VIEW OF THE DRIVER.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2015
DRIVING HOME UPON TAKING DELIVERY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, STARTING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. WITHIN 20 MILES, THE CRACK WAS 24" LONG. WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. AFTER TWO DAYS OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. THREE DAYS AGO, WITH APPROX. 2000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT CRACKED AGAIN. AGAIN, WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT. THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M AN ENGINEER, AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.