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
509 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2019
NAVIGATION SCREEN REFLECTS SUNLIGHT SO YOU CAN'T SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION. MAP SHOWS ZIGZAG PATTERN. TRIED CHANGING CONTRAST, DIDN'T HELP. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP SAID THE NEW SUBARU NAVIGATION SCREEN IS FINE,I DON'T NEED A NEW CAR!
Wheels, Oct 8, 2019
BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REQUIRED REPLACING AT 83,967 MILES. THE WHEEL NOISE BEGAN PRIOR TO THE CURRENT MILEAGE BUT JUST NOW TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THE WHEEL NOISE GOT LOUDER AS THE SPEED INCREASED.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 8, 2019
A SUPPOSED GAS CAP SEAL CAUSED 20 ICONS TO FLASH CONSTANTLY UPON MY DASH. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN A PARKING GARAGE FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2019
A CRACK APPEARED AT THE BASE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. GREW TO ABOUT A FOOT AND A HALF. IT SEEMS THERES BEEN A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST SUBARU IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. VERY SAD TO HEAR THAT ABOUT SUBARU. BECAUSE I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH MY SUBARU UNTIL NOW
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2019
MY DASHBOARD RELEASES VOCS SO MUCH I CANNOT KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAN AND THE SUN BLINDS MY VIEW BECAUSE OF IT. I CLEAN ALMOST EVERY DAY BUT THE SMOG JUST GETS MOVED AROUND AND WILL NOT CLEAN. IT IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. THEY NEED TO MANUFACTURER THE DASH WITH A SAFER MATERIAL.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2019
WINDSHIELD GLASS RANDOMLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT OF ANY KIND.
Power train, Aug 14, 2019
AT 65000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE NEED A WHEEL BEARING WITH THIS LOW MILLAGE. I AM TOLD OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 8, 2019
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER JUMPING THE BATTERY VEHICLE STARTED, AAA PERFORMED ROADSIDE TESTING AND DETERMINED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE WORKING PROPERLY AND ARE SUFFICIENTLY CHARGED. CAR WOULD NOT START FOR UNEXPLAINED REASONS. PREVIOUS SERVICE HISTORY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS AN ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATE. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2019
WINDSHIELD STARTED TO SPLIT IN LOWER WIPER RESTING AREA AFTER NO APPARENT IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT MODERATE SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. SPLIT CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SIZE OVER THE FOLLOWING 3 DAYS. CORRECT LENGTH APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
WHEN VEHICLE IS LEFT FOR TWO DAYS OR MORE (SUCH AS IN MY GARAGE OR AT A REMOTE TRAIL HEAD PARKING LOT) THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES AND NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WAS LEFT TURNED ON. BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AT AUTO PARTS STORE AND NO PROBLEMS AND IT RECHARGES TO A FULL CHARGE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2019
DRIVING 45MP, TEMPERATURE, 75, NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME OR ON THE SIDES OR ONCOMING, THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW POPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE BLACK WIPER/ DEFROSTER AREA. A CRACK DEVELOPED RUNNING UP AND TO THE DRIVERS SIDE, ABOUT A FOOT LONG AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS COMPLAINT
Power train, Wheels, Jul 24, 2019
MY SUBARU HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD 6 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AS FOLLOWS. 3-22-17 @ 29K MILES REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. 11-12-18 @45K MILES REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS (2ND TIME FOR FRONT RIGHT) 7-12-19 @ 51K MILES REPLACED FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING (2ND TIME FOR FRONT LEFT) THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 6 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED IN THE LAST 23 MONTHS. FRONT AXLE BOTH SIDES CHANGED TWICE AND REAR AXLE CHANGED ONCE EACH SIDE. THE LAST WHEEL BEARING ONLY LASTED 6K MILES AND WAS NEAR TOTAL FAILURE MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. THEREFOR I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Jul 11, 2019
SAFETY ISSUE: CAR HORN DOES NOT WORK (NO SOUND) WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT. FOR HORN TO WORK I MUST TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER TO THE RIGHT TO THE 2:00 O'CLOCK POSITION AND BEYOND OR TO THE LEFT TO THE 10:00 O'CLOCK POSITION AND BEYOND.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 19, 2019
WINDSHEILD CRACKED FOR NO APPEARANT REASON. THERE ARE MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE.VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY NOT MOVING WHEN CRACK OCCURRED. .IN SHORT TIME CRACK RAN OUT 1 1/2 FEET. HAD WINDSHEILD REPLACED ON 06/18/19
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2019
BATTERY IS DEAD AFTER ONE DAY OF COMPLETE BATTERY CHARGE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A REPLACEMENT BATTERY. THE ORIGINAL SUBARU BATTERY FAILED IN SAME MANNER. CHARGING SYSTEM IS PUTTING OUT 13.85 VOLTS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING. BATTERY VOLTAGE AFTER TRICKLE CHARGE 12.87. STATIONARY
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2019
I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY COMING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. FINALLY I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE TUNED DOWN. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN 2017 FROM HONDA NORTH.IN BUTLER PA. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEN AND HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. THIS PAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. LRECENTLY I ALMOST A SMALL CHILD AND HIS MOM PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I HAVE GRAND CHILDREN THAT I TAKE WITH ME DAILY AND I AM SCARED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THEY ARE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE YOU PAYS ATTENTION TO THIS ON GOING PROBLEM. I EXPECT TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON BEFORE THIS CAR ACCELERATES AND KILLS SOMEONE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2019
HELLO, MY WINDSHIELD BROKE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHY. IT WAS JUST BROKEN ONE MORNING WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR. I FIGURED A ROCK OR SOMETHING HIT IT. THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THE TIME AND SO I HAD IT REPLACED WITH A OEM WINDSHIELD. MY SECOND WINDSHIELD JUST BROKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHILE CHANGING MY WIPERS YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE CERAMIC WIPER HEATER DELAMINATED INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT TURNED BRIGHT RED. I HAVE OWNED ALOT OF CARS AND NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD THAT IS SO FRAGILE. I HAVE CHANGED MANY, MANY WIPER BLADES AND I KNOW WHAT A QUALITY WINDSHIELD IS. I SET THE WIPER BLADE HOLDER DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD GENTLY AND IT CRACKED, THE CRACK GREW ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IN A DAY OR SO. RIDICULOUS. THESE WINDSHIELDS RUN ABOUT 500 BUCKS AND SHOULD BE BETTER QUALITY. I ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE MY CAR CLOCK WILL NOT SET... CURRENTLY. IT TOOK THEM 3 YEARS TO FIGURE OUT THE STEERING RETAINING PIN WAS BROKEN EVEN THOUGH I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE REAR GATE STOPPED OPENING AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END BUT MY DEALER SAID "WAIT UNTIL IT GETS WORSE" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? THANKS,
Electrical system, May 22, 2019
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED DEAD BATTERY PROBLEMS. IN FEB THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND CHARGED ME $174. ON 5/20/19 MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMPED AND THEN DROVE OVER 40 MILES. ON 5/22/19 IT WAS DEAD AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID I DON'T DRIVE ENOUGH. MANY OTHERS HAVE CLEARLY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK I HAVE A LEMON.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2019
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN I PARKED AND TRIED TO TAKE KEY OUT. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME. EVENTUALLY, I MOVED GEARS AND I PUSHED KEY INWARDS AND IT RELEASED. I JUST HAD A HEFTY REPAIR BILL BEFORE DISCOVERING RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON EARLIER MODELS.
Seat belts, Seats, Apr 24, 2019
SUBSTANTIAL RUST HAS DEVELOPED AT THE ATTACH POINT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT-BELT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND OF THE ATTACH-POINT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE CAR. WE'RE THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR WAS NEVER FLOODED OR EXPOSED TO WATER IN ANY OTHER WAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT OR DO ABOUT IT. THEY REACHED OUT TO SUBARU AND (AS OF 4/24) THE DEALER HASN'T RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOESN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DESIGN IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT -- NO EXPOSED METAL. INTERESTINGLY, WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR CHECKED OTHER LATER-YEAR GEN 5 OUTBACKS THE DESIGN HAD CHANGED: THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY EXPOSED METAL IN THE EQUIVALENT LOCATION. THE NEWER DESIGN FOR THE DRIVER-SIDE ATTACH-POINT MIMICS THE PASSENGER SIDE - NO EXPOSED METAL. A 2016 OUTBACK IN FOR SERVICE HAD THE SAME EXPOSED METAL DESIGN ON THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT. IT ALSO HAD RUSTING AT THE SAME LOCATION (ALTHOUGH NOT NEARLY AS SEVERE AS ON MINE). IT DOES NOT SEEM SAFE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF RUST AT SUCH A KEY ATTACH-POINT FOR THE SEAT AND A CRITICAL SAFETY DEVICE LIKE A SEATBELT. WE LIVE IN A WARM/TEMPERATE PART OF CALIFORNIA AND THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN "HOMED" IN PART OF CALIFORNIA, SO IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO HARSH WEATHER.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2015 OUTBACK CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE BOTTOM UPWARD THEN TURNED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE IN AN L SHAPE. TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY OF COURSE CLAIM THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN IMPACT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER ACTUALLY ARGUED WITH ME AND CLAIMED THAT YOU COULD FEEL A POINT OF IMPACT WHERE A ROCK "MUST HAVE HIT" AND BLAMED THAT FOR THE CRACK. I CAN FEEL NO POINT OF IMPACT AND WAS IN FACT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE CRACK HAPPENED AND KNOW THAT NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. DESPITE THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THESE WINDSHIELDS, SUBARU IS STILL NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT AFTER THEIR "CLOSE AND CAREFUL" INSPECTION THAT TOOK ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THEY CLEARLY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE WINDSHIELDS AND ARE DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT IT, EVEN REFUSING TO REPLACE ONES THAT DO HAVE A PROBLEM. BESIDES BEING A BAD BUSINESS MOVE FOR SUBARU, THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CONSUMERS.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2019
TAKATA INFLATORS. WHILE DRIVING WE NOTICED THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM STOPPED FUNCTIONING, IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE OR ENGAGE. WE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE WE STARTED UP AND ONCE ON THE ROAD IT WAS WORKING FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO THEN STOPPED AGAIN. THEN THE ABS LIGHT ALONG WITH OTHER INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE CALLED A MECHANIC AND ADVISED WE BRING IT IN, WHICH WE DID. HE SAID THE SPEED SENSOR IS BAD (PART #27540AL11B) WHICH CAUSED OTHER LIGHTS TO COME ON AND SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHERE WE DRIVE WHICH IS IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS. HE ORDERED PART BUT WAS TOLD THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND MAY BE AVAILABLE ON APRIL 2, 2019. OUR CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE MARCH 8TH, THIS IS SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE. THE CAR HAS APPROX 58K MILES ON IT. WOULD THIS NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANIOUSLY CRACKED FROM PASSENGER B PILLER TO CENTER. WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE A MOTEL IN AZ ON A COLD, FROSTY RAINEY DAY. I HAD TURNED ON DEFROSTER AND HEATER. AS WE STARTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FREEWAY , PASSENGER AND I BOTH HEARD A POP AND NOTICED A CRACK RUNNING FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER B PILLER TO THE CENTER. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE MOVING NEAR MY VEHICLE. SUBARU HAS DENIED CLAIM CLAIMING WINDSHIELD DAMAED BY A ROCK. I HAVE NEVER NOTICE A ROCK STRIKE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BUT NOT IN TRAFFIC- ON ACCESS ROAD.
Engine, Mar 5, 2019
EXCESSIVE EXHAUST ENTERING PASSENGER CABIN ANYTIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BECAUSE OF CRACK IN FLEX PIPE ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES.